[Intro - distant church bells, slow piano, theatrical whisper] (This cat...) (This cat...) (This cat is losin’ his FUCKIN’ mind...) [Verse 1 - dramatic rock opera, tense strings, building drums] THIS CAT said “watch the walls” You climbed the tower with your books Sat your ancient ass above the bells While corpses wandered through the woods I said “Theo, eyes outside” You sighed like I disturbed your throne Turned a page... Took a nap... While zombies poured into our home (HE WAS ASLEEP AGAIN) You act like every word we speak Is somehow far beneath your ears Like wisdom only comes with wrinkles Dust and mildew... tea and years And every time we need you moving Every time the pressure spikes You lift one finger from your chapter “Mm... perhaps another five.” [Pre-Chorus - quieter, bitter piano] And THAT’S the worst part... You’re not a fool... You’re calm when all the rest of us break [Chorus - explosive full band, choir backing vocals] ANY SPELL YOU WANTED ANY MIRACLE IN HAND But you’d rather cling to principles Than save this dying land ANY POWER YOU COULD DREAM OF Right there beneath the flames But you looked demons straight in the eye And said “No thanks... Rissa would be ashamed.” (ASHAMED) (ASHAMED) [Verse 2 - heavier guitars, sarcastic theatrical delivery] We slayed abominations screaming For YOUR precious guild research Covered head to toe in blood and rot Dragging nightmares through the dirt And where were YOU? Oh let me guess... Halfway through another tome? “Mmm, fascinating prose structure...” While the rest of us broke bone Christian nearly lost his mind He nearly threw you from the tower You only moved when we held that book Above the fire like performance hour (BURN THE FUCKING BOOK!) You pompous wizard philosopher With your polished little sneer You talk to us like village idiots Who should feel honored you are here [Instrumental Break - frantic violin, electric guitar solo, church bells] [Verse 3 - lower vocals, nastier and more personal] And don’t think THIS CAT hasn’t noticed How you stare at Rissa’s face Like some tragic hero in a ballad Too distinguished to disgrace You’re older than the goddamn kingdoms Yet you preen and posture still Like she’ll choose your dusty wisdom Over pretty boys who make her feel And she says Jimmy’s gay? OF COURSE she says he’s gay That’s what every poor deluded bastard says Before she slips away You stand there all composed and noble Like restraint makes you divine Meanwhile every room goes silent When you say that girl’s “quite bright” (CREEPY OLD MAN!!!) (CREEPY OLD MAN!!!!) [Bridge - slow, emotional, haunted piano and choir] And Sandro keeps his dead beside him... Calls them family... Calls them home... That fat old innkeep in the corner... WE FUCKING KNEW HIM That thing still wears his face Still sways beneath the candlelight And you protect it... To spare some feelings... While THIS CAT stays awake all night What happens when the hunger turns? What happens when it breaks the chain? Will your mercy stop the slaughter? Will your ethics raise the slain? [Final Chorus - huge emotional climax, full choir] ANY SPELL YOU WANTED THIS CAT still hears the offer clear Two souls dead before the sunrise Two graves beside the chapel rear WE HAD THE CHANCE WE HAD THE POWER You let it slip away For principles... For pride... For what Rissa MIGHT someday say And maybe THIS CAT hates you less If you were cowardly instead If you were selfish... Drunk on power... If ambition filled your head But you looked straight into the abyss And turned your back on all of it While THIS CAT counts the fucking bodies And wonders which of us is sick [Outro - hollow piano, distant thunder, exhausted voice] You read another chapter... While the whole damn world burns down... You ancient self-righteous bastard... You impossible old man... (The chapter...) (Just finish the chapter...) (Finish the chapter...) And gods help THIS CAT... Next time... I might let you.
