[Intro — Spoken, over a ticking music box] Come closer, dear listeners—don't tug at the chain! The book won't be closing till I finish the refrain! I have a captive audience, what fortunate luck! And every golden shackle keeps the exits firmly shut! [Verse I — Playful, Sinister] A kingdom made of promises, a knight who drew his blade, A maiden crowned in moonlight, and a bargain poorly made! I turn a page—the torches flare; I hum—the rafters shake, A thousand little tragedies awaken for my sake! The heroes swear they'll save you! How wonderfully absurd! I've buried greater champions beneath a single word! So mind the ink, my darlings, and mind the rising key, For fate itself must dance along to my sweet melody! [Chorus — Chains Clanging in Rhythm] SING! Sing the story! RING! Ring the chain! Every little glory has a shadow and a stain! TELL! Tell the triumph! TOLL! Toll the fall! Who's the saint and who's the monster when the curtain claims us all? Oh, music is the memory that refuses to decay, A story given rhythm so the dead can have their say! SING! Sing the story! Let the iron keep the time! For every soul's a verse, and every sin can rhyme! [Verse II — The Story Darkens] A tyrant saves a village, but demands a bitter price, A hero burns a city and is praised for sacrifice! You hiss at one as wicked; you applaud the other's flame, Ah, listen how the orchestra can make them sound the same! The drums will call it justice, the violins call it grief, A flute can crown a murderer or make a saint of thieves! So when you choose your villain, take care of what you hear, The prettiest of anthems can disguise the darkest fear! [Bridge — Whispering, Then Thunderous] TURN THE PAGE! HEAR THE LOCK! HEAR THE HEART BENEATH THE CLOCK! TRUTH IS NOT THE LOUDEST VOICE! EVERY CHORUS HIDES A CHOICE! I could loose these links with one melodious decree... But who would stay to hear the end if all of you were free? [Final Chorus — Audience Forced to Answer] SING! Sing the story! (WE SING THE CHAIN!) RING! Ring the glory! (WE SING THE PAIN!) SAINT OR SINNER! FOOL OR KING! EVERY AGE MUST LEARN TO SING! Music is a story, passed from night to breaking day, Yesterday's forgotten truth in notes that never fade! And should the monster meet the martyr where the final shadows play, Perhaps they'll trade their masks before the last refrain gives way! [Outro — Spoken, Music Box Slowing] Now close your eyes. The ending's near. Don't strain against the iron, dear. Tomorrow brings another tale... And I'm afraid your tickets are not for sale.
