[Intro] (Spoken, draped in velvet menace) Now darlings, I do adore my girls, my guests, my ghosts… But every favor in this house earns a tally. Every sin has a slot. And every name—goes in the ledger. Now where did I leave my pen... oh yes. In someone. [Verse 1] Let’s begin with Harper Clay—he paid in silver, fled in shame Claimed he'd never touch a drink, then bled out whispering my name His bullet bounced, his deal fell through, We sewed his secrets into glue I billed him twice, then left the rest To one of mine with knives and breasts! [Verse 2] Miss Joliette—my “innocent”—was skimming bullets off the floor Said she was saving for escape, now she don’t leave that room no more Her collar’s tight, her smile is wide She hums while guests go cold inside She owes me six, I’ve let her live— But darling, that’s all I’ll give [Chorus] Mark the debt, and bind the name— Shame is currency, not shame! Fold the flesh and stain the page— Ledger sings with lust and rage! Madam sees and Madam writes— Day or deal or bloody night! You spend your soul and taste her pleasure— But you’ll never leave the Madam’s Ledger! [Verse 3] Oh! Velasquez swore he’d serve the Flame Then lit a torch and cursed my name He tried to burn the velvet down— We served his lungs for twenty crowns! And Jasper Vane, that honeyed creep? We sold his bones while he was asleep He paid in flesh, in full, I’ll say— But he still moans beneath the clay [Verse 4] You think I’m cruel? You think I scheme? I only charge for what you dream. You wanted warmth? You wanted grace? I gave you form, I gave you face. But beauty bites and passion stains— And all my gifts come wrapped in chains. [Bridge – half-sung, poetic build] Each line in ink is etched in pain Each curl a curse, each swirl a chain You think I write these names for me? I’m just the book. The house—it sees. [Verse 5] Let’s not forget dear Bishop Kline Who said my girls were “steeped in slime” He prayed aloud, and begged, and cried— But still he paid before he died! And Keela, sweet, who tried to run With half my secrets, half my gun We caught her fast, we let her sing— Now she’s the velvet in the wing. [Chorus] Mark the debt, and bind the name— Shame is currency, not shame! Ledger hums, and velvet knows— Where the blood and promise goes You signed in lust, you paid in thrill— But debts don’t die… until you will. [Verse 6] And you, sweet thing, you listening close With trembling hands and powdered nose You think your name’s not in the book? Come now, don’t give me that look… You drank my wine, you kissed my dead— You took my coin and shared my bed You gave me laughter, lies, and pain— So darling… I wrote your name. [Final Chorus] Mark the debt! The velvet binds! The ledger knows what justice finds! Bullet, kiss, or scalpel blade— Every deal was fairly made! You danced, you moaned, you paid the measure— Welcome home... to the Madam’s Ledger.
