[INTRO] Ring... Ring... Ring... Mama said the dead stay sleeping. Papa said the dead stay down. But the old folks spoke of a crooked road Past the edge of our little town. So I took Bessie’s bell from the nail by the door And followed the roots underground. [VERSE 1] The scarecrow bowed when I crossed the field, Though there wasn’t any breeze. The dirt split open beneath my feet, And the dead began to breathe. Geists in the branches, Wraiths in the wheat, Revenants dragging their bones through the creek. A pale banshee with her mouth opened wide Sang something awful and called me inside. I was so terrified, I plucked out my eyes. I closed the little windows Where the monsters crawled inside. Now nothing can find me. Now nothing can stare. The dark wrapped around me Like Mama was there. [PRE-CHORUS] Darkness is my blankie, Protects me from fear. I wander in deeper... Do the dead disappear? Or do they draw nearer Whenever I cry? I cannot see them, But they sound so alive. [CHORUS] Mama! Papa! Hear my plea! I’m ringing our bell because I can’t see! The ghosts try to trick me, The banshees are cruel! Our sweet Bessie’s bell is my only tool! Ring, ring, ring... Through the roots of the trees! Ring, ring, ring... Bring my family to me! I cannot see you, So answer my call. See for me, Bessie. See for me all. [POST-CHORUS] LITTLE LOST DAUGHTER! COME A LITTLE FARTHER! [VERSE 2] A lich took my hand at the mouth of a cave And told me he knew Papa’s name. A widow with no face braided my hair And swore Mama did the same. The ghosts play games Where they hide in my breath. The revenants teach me The footsteps of death. A wraith lets me sleep With my head on her knee. She hums like my Mother... Or a Mother for me. They lead me through graveyards, They lead me through stone. They say every dead thing Gets tired of alone. And every time Bessie Cries out in the gloom, The dead gather closer And make me more room. [PRE-CHORUS 2] Darkness is my blankie, The cold is my bed. The hands in the shadows Are gentle instead. I came here afraid Of the things I might find, But out of my sight They are sweet in my mind. [CHORUS 2] Mama! Papa! Hear my plea! I’m ringing our bell because I can’t see! The ghosts used to trick me, The banshees were cruel, But sweet Bessie’s bell Taught me all of their rules. Ring, ring, ring... Now they follow my feet! Ring, ring, ring... And their crying is sweet! I cannot see them, But they see through me. See for me, Bessie. See what I’ll be. [BREAKDOWN] RING! I gave the dead my eyes! WE GAVE YOU A HOME! I came for Mama’s voice! YOU’RE NEVER ALONE! I came for Papa’s hands! TAKE HOLD OF OUR BONES! I don’t remember the way back home! [BRIDGE] I was so terrified. I plucked out my eyes. But now that I’ve lost sight, Their cries sound like lullabies. Soo sweet... The banshee sings above me. The wraith lies at my side. A dead child holds my fingers When the tunnels open wide. I don’t know which voice is Mama. I don’t know which hands are Pa’s. But everyone comes running When they hear my little call. [FINAL CHORUS] Mama! Papa! Don’t you see? The dead made a little room for me! The ghosts don’t trick me, The banshees aren’t cruel! And sweet Bessie’s bell is no longer a tool! Ring, ring, ring... It’s the voice that I bring! Ring, ring, ring... And the dead start to sing! I came here searching For two souls I knew, But I found a thousand Who call me theirs too. Ring, ring, ring... Let them crawl, let them climb! Ring, ring, ring... They are all kin of mine! I cannot see them. I don’t need to see. Cry for me, family. See for me. [OUTRO] Darkness is my blankie. The grave is my bed. I wandered in living... And found home with the dead. Ring.
