```text # Budapest After Dark [Intro] The sunset sank beyond the bus window The outline of an unfamiliar city Soon the Danube came into view And night began to rise beyond the river With one river flowing between them Buda and Pest faced each other Two cities with different faces Joined together by the lights of the bridges [Verse 1] Budapest was hot beneath the afternoon sun The stone hills were glowing bright The farther I walked through the heat The more details came rushing into view Up on the hill above the city I found the roof of Matthias Church Touching the ancient stone I felt distant history flowing through my fingertips I crossed the Széchenyi Chain Bridge And looked toward Elisabeth Bridge Walking above the surface of the Danube Between the two sides of the city [Chorus] Budapest before the night arrives The city changes face again and again I came to see with my own eyes Why they call it the Pearl of the Danube Budapest the Paris of Eastern Europe I walked beyond every name The simple fact that I was standing there Shone deep inside my heart [Verse 2] From the top of Gellért Hill The city breathed beneath my feet Beside the Statue of Liberty Countless windows seemed to watch me The pale walls of the Parliament Reflected golden lights upon the river The building I saw in daylight Became another dream at night I passed through Heroes Square And walked along Andrássy Avenue The shadow of Vajdahunyad Castle Moved gently in the summer wind [Verse 3] St Stephens Basilica Rose beneath the open sky The sounds of the city grew quiet Until only my heartbeat remained The Shoes on the Danube Bank Stood before me in silent memory In one corner of the shining city I learned the meaning of stopping still [Chorus] Budapest when you walk at night Old scenes begin to move The castles bridges and churches Wake from yesterday's dream Budapest the city I fell for A city I loved at first sight The lights I found around each corner Made the journey worth every step [Verse 4] On the red shelves of the Central Market I found paprika powder Its scent joined my travel bags And stayed with me until the day I left When I took a bite of lángos I wanted another bite before long That dish in a distant country Slowly eased the tension of the journey A city known for its many hot springs With warm water sleeping beneath its buildings Next time I will stay much longer And rest away the heat of the day [Instrumental Interlude] Bridge lights trembled across the water Distant laughter filled the night I surrendered to the sound of the streets And my steps became lighter Following the rhythm of the csárdás The streets began to dance Wrapped inside the night of Budapest I lost track of time [Bridge] After passing through the heat of the day The city grew more beautiful at night When I looked back from the bridge Even the road behind me became a treasure The river connected two cities I watched its current in silence The places I found along the journey Slowly became a home inside my heart [Final Chorus] Budapest even after dawn The lights of memory never fade I want to walk the Pearl of the Danube In another season someday Budapest the city I want to see again I want to look down at the river from the hill To discover hot spring mornings And faces of the city I have never seen [Outro] The time came for the night bus I looked at the river one final time The lights of the Chain Bridge faded away And the sound of the city grew quiet I remembered the taste of lángos And held the night of Budapest in my heart Watching the Danube flow away I moved on to the next chapter ```
