[Intro: Whispered, Stirring Pot] Ahhh... ladies... welcome to my kitchen. How does Anansi see you? Hmm? A trickster is what I am... And I have a hook in the ethereal... hahahaha... Shhhh... I have captured your attention. While you prepare for these little kiddos... I shall spin a web of woe and despair. This is a tale you may know... But none like me tell it so... hee hee... [Verse 1] There was a lane, down, down, down At the edge of town where the lanterns drown One room schoolhouse, one chalkboard stain And a hungry Teacher down the lane [Verse 2] Tall as a heron, coat too tight Eyes too wide from too much night Reading stars and stones and souls Knowledge is a thing that feeds, we're told [Chorus - Slow Waltz Pulse] Was he enlightened? Or insane? Was it knowledge that kept him fed? [whispered, on the beat] who's watching me... who's watching me... Till the day he lost his head [Verse 3] All Hallows' Eve, he walked to feast To marry well, to tame the beast At the old bridge, his horse stood still Clip-clop, clip-clop, a cold wind chill [Bridge - Hooves in Waltz Time] No breath from horse, no head on rider Cornfield whispering... Teacher... come hider He threw his books like white birds flying Pages scattering... [Chorus - Intense, The New Count] The Rider doesn't gallop, no... he WALTZES [choir, low] who's watching me... who's watching me... Slow and terrible, always closer [whispered behind] who's watching me... who's watching me... [Verse 4 - Climax] At the bridge he turned to see To see the Rider is to understand To understand is to become Now a pumpkin smashed in the lane [Outro - Anansi Returns] [stirring pot, voice close] In the morning... only hoofprints... and shoes... The schoolhouse empty... but chalk still moves... Was it knowledge that kept him fed? Or insanity... when he lost his head? Ladies... don't look behind you... [beat] who's watching me? Your stew... is ready. Hee hee...
