[verse] Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore. While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of someone gently rapping—rapping at my chamber door. "'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door— Only this, and nothing more." [/verse] [chorus] Darkness there, and nothing more. The silence grows, the shadows soar. Echoes linger, whispered lore— "Nevermore," and nothing more. [/chorus] [verse] Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore. Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he; But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door— Perched upon a bust of Pallas, just above my chamber door— Perched, and sat, and nothing more. [/verse] [chorus] Darkness there, and nothing more. The silence grows, the shadows soar. Echoes linger, whispered lore— "Nevermore," and nothing more. [/chorus] [bridge] "Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil! On this home by horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore— Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!" Quoth the raven, "Nevermore." [/bridge] [chorus] Darkness there, and nothing more. The silence grows, the shadows soar. Echoes linger, whispered lore— "Nevermore," and nothing more. [/chorus] [outro] And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting, On the pallid bust of Pallas, just above my chamber door. And my soul, from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor, Shall be lifted—nevermore!