Well the door stood open and the music played loud… Some came for the fun… some came for the crowd… Let me tell you how it went down… I stood there on the edge, didn’t know where to stand Some fella clapped my shoulder, said “Son, you gotta understand — You think spicing it up’s gonna bring you two close? It only works if your foundation’s solid as a coast! If you ain’t anchored deep, then the doubt will creep right in — ‘Was he better? Was she brighter?’ — let the comparing begin! I got less on my plate than most fellas here could claim But I’m the one she cleans up for — the one she calls her name.” I thanked him politely but my stomach felt tight Jenny had showed me new doors and I was still learning the light I’d spent years chasing shadows, taking more than I gave And now I wondered if I’d anything left to save Clive said “Play some pool while we wait — come along with me” And anything sounded better than where I didn’t wanna be Then there came a knock at the door — a girl with purpose in her stride Said “I’m not here for the party — I’ve got RJ to find! I heard word from the streets — there’s a man coming tonight He calls himself Candy Man — and he don’t come for the light! He’s got plans for RJ — dark ones, I can tell” Clive was scratching at his head, knew her face but not the spell “Sunny? Honey?” — “Bunni!” — and she pushed right on through Searching every corner, wondering what she’d do Then came another knock — and the shadow stepped inside Big fur coat, too much swagger, nowhere left to hide Clive squinted — “Randy? Sprout? From St Mary’s class?” And the smile dropped right away — yeah the past came fast Grabbed his shirt, buttons flying — “You remember ME now, friend? Where’s the man called Robert Jones? This ain’t no game to end!” Clive stammered, “I don’t know — this house is big and wide” Randy shoved him hard aside, storming with his pride Darkness of the cloakroom — a chair swung hard and true He hit the floor face first — didn’t know who or what flew It was Clive with the bust from the hall — hands shaking, breath held tight “I didn’t know I had it in me — but he deserved the fight!” Bunni checked his breathing — “He’s out cold for now But we gotta hide him quick — don’t ask me how” Dragged him down the hallway to the room at the back Where the bed frame was broken — yeah the old one had cracked “Roll him underneath the bed — out of sight, out of mind Tell the girls to head on home — leave the mess behind” Clive breathed deep — “I haven’t felt this alive in years” Bunni said “Just move him quick — before he reappears” OH THE MASKS WE WEAR AND THE GAMES WE PLAY! SOME COME TO SIN AND SOME COME TO PRAY! SOME COME TO TEAR THE WHOLE WORLD DOWN! AND SOME COME JUST TO BE AROUND! BUT WHEN THE TRUTH COMES KNOCKING AT YOUR DOOR — YOU FIND OUT WHAT YOU’RE REALLY HERE FOR! Jenny found me in the game room — dressed like a dream come true Said “You never hesitated when you were untrue You slept around with ease — so tell me why you’re frozen now?” And I laid my cards right out — I didn’t know how I told her of the day I felt the weight of every wrong How I’d treated her so poorly, how I’d dragged it on and on “I don’t want anyone else — I just want to make this right I see you now, Jenny — you’re my guiding light” She slapped me hard — then she laughed — then she pulled me close “ You idiot — I wanted you to fight, not to propose!” We tumbled to the bed — and the frame gave way beneath And we laughed till we were breathless — tangled in the sheets Then the door flew open wide — Bunni stood there pale “Sorry to intrude — but this will sound like a tale — There’s something underneath your bed — and you need to see it now” Jenny’s fire returned — “What is this about?!” We pulled the cover back — and there he lay still The man they called Candy Man — quiet as the hill And then the air grew cold — and the light grew thin A figure stepped right through the wall — and we all drew in Tall and robed in black, scythe resting in his hand Candy Man woke with a start — didn’t understand “So… is it my time then? Am I going somewhere nice?” Death didn’t mince words — didn’t sugarcoat the dice “No” — simple, plain, direct — no comfort, no disguise Candy Man’s bravado faded from his eyes Death reached out his skeletal hand — firm and steady grip “Come along — there’s no more tricks to skip” And he led him through the wall — where the shadows bend And the room fell quiet — and the story turned again [OUTRO — soft, warm, hopeful, guitar lingers like a hug] We stood there in the silence — Jenny took my hand Some things change forever — some things understand I ain’t perfect yet — got a long road to go But I’m walking it with her — that’s all I need to know The Candy Man is gone — the party’s winding down And for the first time in forever — I feel solid ground… (final gentle strum fades slow)
