[Verse 1] They strut in silk with powdered pride, Their shoes too clean for countryside. They toast to wars they’ve never seen, And faint if served a meal too lean. [Verse 2] Their dogs wear gems, their horses bow, They knight a goose, forget the plow. They speak in tongues of ancient lore, But trip on rugs and curse the floor. [Chorus] Oh the velvet parade, so grand, so vain, With goblets of gold and half a brain. We drink to their wigs and their dainty charades— Long live the fools of the velvet parade! [Verse 3] They duel with words, not blades or grit, Declare a scandal, then throw a fit. They dance in halls with rules so tight, They need a scroll to kiss goodnight. [Verse 4] They name their heirs with pomp and flair, Then lose them in a garden chair. Some slip a coin to ease our days— But hush, they’d rather earn no praise. [Chorus] Oh the velvet parade, so grand, so vain, With goblets of gold and half a brain. We drink to their wigs and their dainty charades— Long live the fools of the velvet parade! [Verse 5] They fear the dark, yet claim the stars, They fund a fleet, then lose the spars. They build a wall to block the rain, Then blame the moon for windowpane. [Verse 6] They flirt with laws, then change the rules, Declare themselves the wisest fools. They hold a vote, then buy the rest, And call it “honor” in a vest. [Chorus] Oh the velvet parade, so grand, so vain, With goblets of gold and half a brain. We drink to their wigs and their dainty charades— Long live the fools of the velvet parade! [Verse 7] They fear a tail, a scar, a song, Yet claim they’ve known the poor all along. They bow to crowns, not to the brave, And call it mercy when they wave. [Verse 8] So raise your mugs and stomp your feet, For every lie they call elite. We’ve got no pearls, no silken thread— But we’ve got truth, and they’ve got dread. [Chorus] Oh the velvet parade, so grand, so vain, With goblets of gold and half a brain. We drink to their wigs and their dainty charades— Long live the fools of the velvet parade! [New Verse 9 – Fredir’s Quiet Rebellion] I’ve walked in halls with silver light, And shared my bread by candlelight. I’ve bowed and danced, I’ve played the part— But truth beats louder in my heart.
