[INTRO — distant calliope, wind, faint laughter] Once a year… When the moon turns red… The gates remember. [VERSE 1 — dark carnival waltz] Once a year on Halloween night That crimson moon turns black skies bright Rust falls away from every sign The dead lights flicker back to life Painted tents and golden lights Old carousel spinning slow tonight Come on in, don’t be afraid Your ticket’s paid… your choice is made [PRE-CHORUS — music box, soft female vocal] Take your seat Stay for the show There’s nowhere else You need to go [CHORUS — eerie calliope, layered female harmonies] One night only, come inside Cecelia’s waiting where the shadows hide One night only, hear her sing Sweet little voice from the center ring Don’t run, don’t hide Don’t fight the tide When the Soul Keeper calls your name You’ll never leave the way you came One night only… One night only… [VERSE 2 — darker drums, warped calliope] She knows every face that crosses through Knows every secret you brought with you The towns go missing, streets go still Memories fade beyond the hill Nobody asks where the houses went Nobody counts who never came home The carnival blooms like it always did While something underneath it grins [PRE-CHORUS — whispered doubles] Take your seat Enjoy the lights Don’t mind the shadows Moving out of sight [CHORUS — bigger, haunting harmonies] One night only, come inside Cecelia’s waiting where the shadows hide One night only, hear her sing Sweet little voice from the center ring Don’t run, don’t hide Don’t fight the tide When the Soul Keeper calls your name You’ll never leave the way you came One night only… One night only… [BRIDGE — music drops, intimate siren vocal] Soft as silk… Sweet as sin… Can you hear me Calling you in? Just one step… Just one more… Come a little closer Through the carnival door… [BUILD — rising drums, distorted calliope] The demons take their places The curtains slowly rise A thousand painted faces Smile with hollow eyes The ring is waiting The lights burn red Cecelia lifts her hand… And every wandering soul leans toward her instead. [FINAL CHORUS — full theatrical carnival] One night only, come inside Cecelia’s waiting where the shadows hide One night only, hear her sing Sweet little voice from the center ring Don’t run, don’t hide Don’t fight the tide When the Soul Keeper calls your name You’ll never leave the way you came One night only, lights burn bright Lost little town on Halloween night One night only, curtains close Where the carnival goes… Nobody knows. [OUTRO — slowing music box, distant carousel] Thank you for coming. See you next Halloween. [final warped calliope note, gate slam]
