[Intro - Spoken, Harp and Fiddle] Come closer t' the fire now, an' mind what I say. When violet lights wander, best keep to yer way. Me mother once warned me, as hers did before: "When night takes the woodland, stay close to yer door." [Verse 1 - Ominous Dark Celtic Tale] By daylight we'd wander where Oddish would grow, Past Deerling by rivers where cold waters flow. The Murkrow were callin', the Morelull shone, But come the true darkness, they'd all hurry home. For deep in the woodland, when moonlight grew thin, Wee violet lanterns came flickerin' in. No hand ever held them, no candle would burn. They'd wait by the pathway... an' hope ye would turn. [Pre-Chorus - Hushed Warning] If one light should find ye, get home while ye may. If all the woods silence... ye've wandered astray. [Chorus - Melodic Celtic Harmonies] Beware the Lantern King, don't follow his light. He'll lead ye through bracken an' deep into night. When Murkrow go silent an' Morelull all flee, the Lantern King is smilin' where no smile should be. Ná lean an solas, don't answer his call. For those who follow lanterns... may not come home at all. [Instrumental - Fiddle and Whistle] [Verse 2 - Rhythmic Storytelling] One cold autumn evenin', a traveller came through, Six balls at his belt, an' his faithful friend too. The rain soaked his jacket, the daylight was gone, When deep through the woodland one violet light shone. "A cottage," says he, "sure, there's fire ahead." His old friend stood frozen. He followed instead. One lantern, then three, then seven appeared. His companion drew closer, but still he ne'er feared. Then rain became silence. No Murkrow would sing. The Morelull scattered... an' the lanterns made a ring. [Chorus - Dark Celtic Harmonies] Beware the Lantern King, don't follow his light. He'll lead ye through bracken an' steal ye from sight. When Murkrow take wing an' the Morelull flee, the Lantern King is waitin' beneath the old trees. Ná lean an solas, get home while ye may. But once the lights surround ye... there may be no way. [Instrumental - Pipes, Fiddle and Bodhrán] [Verse 3 - Ominous, Building] Deep in the clearin', beneath violet flame, A wee pale thing waited that none dared to name. Thin little fingers, a great crown alight, The auld Lantern King in his kingdom o' night. "All this fuss over you?" The young traveller grinned. The King raised a finger. The dancin' began. Green into violet, then violet to blue. Silver dust drifted, an' sweeter dreams grew. His companion cried out, but the sound faded thin. The King only smiled... an' the lights pulled him in. [Gaelic Bridge - Powerful Ritual Climax] Éist liom, a stór, éist leis an ngaoth. Ná lean an solas faoi scáth na gcrann. Má thiteann an choill ina tost, teith uait. Má ghlaonn na sí ort... ná freagair anocht. [Instrumental Climax - Fiddle and Uilleann Pipe Solo] [Verse 4 - Dreamlike, Warm] The cold left his fingers, the ache left his feet. He smelled his mam's fire, warm bread an' roast meat. The dark trees grew softer. The lanterns grew dim. He thought about home... an' home came to him. "There ye are," said his mother, beside the warm flame. His old friend slept soundly, curled close all the same. His coat by the doorway. His boots by the fire. The rain on the window... just as he'd desired. [Refrain - Soft Celtic Harmonies] No lanterns. No woodland. No reason to flee. Just home by the fire... where a traveller should be. [Instrumental - Gentle Harp and Flute] [Verse 5 - Quiet, Unsettling] He ate an' he laughed till the night wandered on. The forest grew distant, the old fear was gone. He climbed into bed, heard the soft rainfall bloom. Then something glowed violet... across the dark room. A wee purple mushroom grew close to the fire. Silver dust rising a little bit higher. He stared at its light, felt his eyelids grow weak. Then somewhere far distant... a Murkrow ceased to speak. [Final Chorus - Grand Celtic Harmonies] Beware the Lantern King, don't follow his light. He'll give ye sweet dreamin' an' feed through the night. When Murkrow go silent an' Morelull all flee, the Lantern King is smilin' where no smile should be. Ná lean an solas, don't answer his call. For some who follow lanterns... only dream they came home at all. [Outro - Whispered] The traveller smiled softly an' drifted to sleep. The wee mushroom glowed by the fire at his feet. And somewhere beyond what his dreaming could see... [Long Silence] something smiled. [Single Low Bodhrán Strike] And fed. [Instrumental Outro - Fading Pipes and Fiddle]
