[Intro – distant music box, low room tone, far cowbell] [Female vocals]Come here, little one. [Child Vocals]Yes, Mama. [F]Closer. [F]The world is large, [F]and very hungry. It likes children who wander, ask questions and forget the rules. [Child Vocals]I won’t forget, Mama. [F]No. You won’t. [F]When I lower my head, [F]you lower yours. [Child Vocals]Like this? [F]Lower. [Child Vocals]Like this, Mama? [F]Good. That is how we pass beneath the windows. [Child Vocals]Why are they watching us? [F]They are not watching. [Child Vocals]But I saw— [F]You saw nothing. Say it. [Child Vocals]I saw nothing. [F]Good. When the streetlights blink, [F]you blink with them. [F]When the dogs howl, [F]count your footsteps. [F]And when you hear my bell— [Child Vocals]I stop. [F]You stop breathing. [Child Vocals]For how long? [F]Until Mother says. [Child Vocals]What if I can’t? [F]That does not follow the rules. [Child Vocals](But Mama—) [F]Again. When you hear my bell— [Child Vocals](I stop breathing.) [F]Until? [Child Vocals](Until Mother says.) [F]Good. Now smile. [Child Vocals](Like this?) [F]Wider. [Child Vocals](It hurts.) [F]Smiles are supposed to hurt. [Child Vocals](What if they smile back?) [F]Count their teeth. [Child Vocals]One, two— [F]Not yet. [F]Only count when Mother says. [Child Vocals]Yes, Mama. [F]If someone says they know me, [F]ask them the question. [Child Vocals](What did Mother bury under the apple tree?) [F]If they answer? [Child Vocals]They are lying. [F]If they do not? [Child Vocals]They are lying. [F]Good child. [Child Vocals](Mama? What did you bury under the apple tree?) [Silence] [Female Vocals, cold]That does not follow the rules. [Child Vocals]But you said— [F:spoken:]It does not. Follow. The. rules. [Single Cowbell Hit] [Child Vocals verse only](Mama said the world is hungry. I think I understand now.) [F]Don't ask questions [Child vocals](so I keep walking. I keep smile and when bell rings I stop breathing for a while.) [Chorus – nu-metal drop] Mother says walk. Mother says crawl. Mother says count every crack in the wall. Mother says hush. Mother says hide. Mother says never ask what waits outside. Clang, clang, hear it ring. Good little children do everything. Clang, clang, bow your head. Mother says— Do not wake the dead. Never chase. They always look back. never shout, screams brings bad luck. [Chorus] Mother says walk. Mother says crawl. Mother says count every crack in the wall. Mother says hush. Mother says hide. Mother says never ask what waits outside. Clang, clang, it's too late. Good little children are easy to shape. Clang, clang, bow your head. Mother says— Do not wake the dead. [Child Vocals]Mama? [F]Yes, little one? [Child Vocals]Now I know the rules. [F]Then follow them wisely. [Child Vocals]Yes, Mama. [Final Cowbell music box outro]
