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 of rouge Face of beast Faces Take your turn, take a ride On the merry-go-round in an inhuman race Thigh of blue True is false Who is who? Curl 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 crême de la crême Watching us and watching them And all of these are in the past Six months, of relief of delight Of elysian peace And we can breath at last No more notes, no more ghost Here's a health, here's a toast To a prosperous year, to the new chandelier And may it 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 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 is 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) 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 Why so silent, good Messieurs? Did you think that I had left you for good? Have you missed me, good Messieurs? I have written you an opera Here I bring the finished score Don Juan Triumphant! I advise you to comply My instructions should be clear Remember there are worse things than a shattered chandelier Your chains are still mine, you will sing for me!