[Verse 1] On a fog-choked street in London, in a tavern dim and cold, Sat a man in brass and leather, eyes like gears of burnished gold. He was shufflin’ through his deck, cards that hummed with arcane might, And when he laid one on the table, sparks cut through the gaslamp light. [Verse 2] He said, “Son, you lookin’ weary, like the weight of fate’s been spun, But the trick ain’t in the playin’—it’s in knowin’ when you’ve won. See, these cards ain’t made for gamblin’, they’re for those who deal in fate, And if you wager with a Cardwinder, you best not hesitate.” [Chorus] You gotta know when to crank it, know when to spark, Know when the cogs align before the pistons start. You never count your shillings sittin’ at his side, ‘Cause when the gears start turnin’, there’s nowhere left to hide. [Verse 3] He flicked a queen of diamonds, and the air began to hum, Her painted eyes were glowing, and her lips began to drum. Then he spun a jack of spades, and it danced across the floor, Like a clockwork automaton from some old forgotten lore. [Verse 4] I said, “Tell me, what’s your secret? How’s the deck obey your hand?” He just grinned like burning coal and said, “You wouldn’t understand.” Then he snapped his fingers sharply, and the cards all took to flight, Spinning, cutting, striking sparks, then vanishing in light. [Chorus] You gotta know when to crank it, know when to spark, Know when the cogs align before the pistons start. You never count your shillings sittin’ at his side, ‘Cause when the gears start turnin’, there’s nowhere left to hide. [Bridge] As the smoke curled up around him, he just tipped his copper hat, Left a single playing card—an ace of gears, brass and black. Then the tavern clock struck midnight, and I swear upon my soul, He was gone, just like the ticking of a timepiece lost to coal. [Outro] Now I wander through the alleys, where the gaslights flicker dim, And I swear I hear the whisper of a deck that spins in wind. So if you meet the Cardwinder, best beware the game you play, For the stakes are more than shillings… and the deck don’t deal in strays. [Outro] Now I wander through the alleys, where the gaslights flicker dim, And I swear I hear the whisper of a deck that spins in wind. So if you meet the Cardwinder, best beware the game you play, For the stakes are more than shillings… and the deck don’t deal in strays. [sounds of gunshots and card table being flipped over and coins falling to the ground]
