[Verse 1] I’m Baltimore in the marble hall With rose on my coat and blood in my crawl Henry left me the key, said, "Hold this line" Then took the crown and stepped right out of time A local lord came in with a stolen face Brought his grain-books, his dues, his case He talked in circles, jaw tight, hands cold Like every worry had already been told [Spoken] “State your grievance.” He said the road crews wrecked his eastern gate And his tenants can’t cross till after eight His mills are idle, his men are thin And his good name’s cracking from the inside in [Pre-Chorus] Dark Magician by the pillar, stone-still Dark Magician Girl on my lap, all thrill She took my shades and laughed like sin Said, "You can solve it, pretty boy, right now, right in" [Chorus] I keep Tudor standing I keep the cracks from showing I keep your house from burning While the whole court keeps on folding I make one move, one cut And the hard parts start to bend I keep Tudor standing That’s how a kingdom stays a friend [Verse 2] I said, “Send your wagons through the west side lane Put the masons on the north wall chain Let the tolls wait one market day And pay the road crew before they fade” He blinked like I’d pulled rain from glass Like a war-bred boy could do math that fast But I’ve seen banners fall for less Than a proud man choking on his own distress [Spoken] “Your gate stays sealed till dusk. Your people don’t.” She slid my sunglasses down her nose Like she’d just won every room she chose Dark Magician gave one quiet nod Like, yes, this plan is stupid-proof, by God [Pre-Chorus] So I drew the map on the tablecloth Picked the cleanest route, cut the dead weight off No thunder speech, no sacred roar Just one small fix and a little more [Chorus] I keep Tudor standing I keep the cracks from showing I keep your house from burning While the whole court keeps on folding I make one move, one cut And the hard parts start to bend I keep Tudor standing That’s how a kingdom stays a friend [Bridge] I was born where the row houses lean Where the faith is loud and the nights are mean Now I wear old stone like it learned my name And I patch this place the same If a castle needs a mind, I’m here If a burden shakes, I cut it clear And if she steals my shades again I’ll let her win, then solve it twice as fast as then [Chorus] I keep Tudor standing I keep the cracks from showing I keep your house from burning While the whole court keeps on folding I make one move, one cut And the hard parts start to bend I keep Tudor standing That’s how a kingdom stays a friend
