Masquerade

Masquerade! Paper faces on parade
Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you!
Masquerade! Every face a different shade
Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you!

Flash of mauve, splash of puce
Fool and king, ghoul and goose
Green and black, queen and priest
Trace and rouge, face of beast, faces

Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round
In an inhuman race

Eye of gold, thigh of blue
True is false, who is who
Crul of lip, swirl of gown
Ace of hearts, face of clown, faces

Drink it in, drink it up, till you've drowned
In the light, in the sound
But who can name the face?

Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you!
Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads
Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you!

Masquerade! Seething shadows, breathing lies
Masquerade! You can fool any friend who ever knew you!
Masquerade! Leering satyrs, peering eyes
Masquerade! Run and hide, but a face will still pursue you!

What a night! What a crowd!
Makes you glad! Makes you proud!
All the crème de la crème!
Watching us watching them!

And all our fears are in the past!
Six months of relief!, of delight!
Of elysian peace!

And we can breathe at last!
No more notes! No more ghosts!
Here's a health!

Here's a toast: To a prosperous year!
To the new chandelier!
And may its splendour never fade!
Six months! What a joy!
What a change!
What a blessed release!
And what a masquerade!
Think of it! A secret engagement!
Look - your future bride!
Just think of it!
But why is it secret?
What have we to hide?
Please, let's not fight
Christine, you're free!
Wait till the time is right
When will that be?
It's an engagement, not a crime!
Christine, what are you afraid of?

Let's not argue, let's not argue, please pretend
I can only hope I'll (you) will understand in time

Masquerade! Paper faces on parade!
Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you!
Masquerade! Every face a different shade!
Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you!

Masquerade! Burning glances turning heads
Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you!
Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you