I Come Riding

Kennedy Center, 1986

**I Come Riding** is a song from the Raggedy Ann Broadway musical. General D. reveals the Doll Hospital to have been his trap all along. And with Marcella and the dolls firmly in his clutches, proceeds to gloat on the inevitability of death.

## Lyrics

**General D:**

The night fills with terror, the soul is stripped bare

The battle is over, and nobody won

And there's no one to care

The spirit shatters, there’s no trace of will

As the blood moon is rising above you

A pale shadow looms on the hill

And then I come riding, the wind chills your face

The terrible moment you’ve dreaded the most

Locks you in its embrace

And though you go riding, with me at your side

My smile leads you on, ‘til the last breath is gone

And eternity’s door opens wide

I’m quietly waiting, a hush in the air

My eyes glow a tender encouragement

Tempting you closer and leading you there

And there’s no escaping, all paths are as one

And the blood moon is rising above you

And your little story is done

And so I come riding, before break of day

The nightmare that’s haunted your lifetime

Leaps out and sweeps you away

And though you go riding with me at your side

And my smile leads you on, ‘till your last breath is gone

And eternity’s door opens wide

Opens wide

Opens wide!

## Previous Iterations

### ESIPA Workshop 1984

When the original actor for General D. had trouble carrying the song, it was given last-minute to his henchman Wolf. He Comes Riding took place right after Bat's death. As soon as a new General D. was cast, however, the song was given back to him, though kept the third person pronoun.

**Wolf:**

The night fills with terror, the soul is stripped bare

The battle is over, and nobody won

And there's no one to care

The spirit shatters, there’s no trace of will

As the blood moon is rising above you

A pale shadow looms on the hill

And then he comes riding, the wind chills your face

The terrible moment you dread the most

Locks you in its embrace

And though you go riding, with him at your side

His smile leads you on, ‘til your last breath is gone

And eternity’s door opens wide

He’s quietly waiting, a hush fills the air

His eyes glow a tender encouragement

That can take you closer, leading you there

And there’s no escaping, all paths are as one

The blood moon is rising above you

Your little story is done

And so he comes riding, before break of day

The nightmare that cost you a lifetime

Breaks out and sweeps you away

And though you go riding, there’s nowhere to hide

His smile leads you on, and your last breath is gone

And eternity’s door opens wide

Opens wide

Opens wide!

### ESIPA Nov 1985 Script

After being moved to the Doll Hospital scene and given back to General D, at this point the lyrics change to a mix of first and third person pronouns before going fully into first.

**General D:**

The night fills with terror, the soul is stripped bare

The battle is over, and nobody won

And there's no one to care

The spirit shatters, there’s no trace of will

As the blood moon is rising above you

A pale shadow looms on the hill

And then He comes riding, the wind chills your face

The terrible moment you’ve dreaded the most

Locks you in his embrace

And though you go riding, with me at your side

My smile leads you on, ‘til the last breath is gone

And eternity’s door opens wide

He's quietly waiting, a hush in the air

His eyes glow a tender encouragement

Tempting you closer and leading you there

And there’s no escaping, all paths are as one

And the blood moon is rising above you

And your little story is done

And so I come riding, before break of day

The nightmare that’s haunted your lifetime

Leaps out and it sweeps you away

And though you go riding with me at your side

And my smile leads you on, ‘till your last breath is gone

And eternity’s door opens wide

Opens wide

Opens wide!

## Videos

Raggedy Ann - He Comes RidingRaggedy Ann Broadway Demo - He Comes RidingRaggedy Ann 1986 Broadway - He Comes RidingActually "I Come Riding" at this point