The R’lyeh Rhythm Kings - 6. That Crawlin’ Chaos Man

That Crawlin’ Chaos Man [Intro — slow bass, piano, muted trumpet] [Female — spoken] He came walking in around midnight. Black suit. Black hat. Silver-headed cane. Every woman watched him enter. Every sensible man… left. [Verse 1 — Female] He came rolling into Arkham On a train without a name, Had a smile like Sunday morning And two eyes without a flame. Said, “Darling, I can show you Things no mortal ever can.” Lord, I should’ve known the devil From that Crawlin’ Chaos man. [Male] Leave him be, baby. [Female] Oh, hush. [Chorus — Female] That Crawlin’ Chaos man, Got the whole world in his hand, Makes you dance a little closer While you’re sinking in the sand. He’ll whisper something sweet, Make you think you understand— Then he’ll pull the stars from heaven, That Crawlin’ Chaos man. [Male backing] Don’t trust that man. [Female] I know. [Male] Don’t take his hand. [Female] …I know. [Tenor sax solo] [Verse 2 — Female] He bought champagne for strangers, Never spent a single dime, Told the preacher how he’d die And told the clock to change the time. Then the lights began to flicker, And the radio spoke Greek, Every mirror showed a desert When that gentleman would speak. [Male] Woman, we are leaving. [Female] After this drink. [Male] You said that three drinks ago. [Female] I’ve been thinking. [Chorus — Both] [Female] That Crawlin’ Chaos man, Got a thousand names or more— [Male] Don’t you ask him for another! [Female] I already asked for four. [Male] Lord, have mercy. [Female] He’s a pharaoh, he’s a preacher, He’s a stranger dressed in black— [Male] And everybody follows him— [Both] But nobody comes back. [Organ and trumpet break] [Bridge — Male] Baby, look around you, There ain’t nobody dancing. [Female] Then why can I hear footsteps? [Male] There ain’t nobody laughing. [Female] Then who’s laughing? [Music drops] [Nyarlathotep — distant whisper] Come and see. [Female] …Oh. [Male] Don’t. [Female — slow, soulful] He showed me cities burning Under unfamiliar skies, He showed me kings and beggars With the same fear in their eyes. He showed me Earth from somewhere No human eyes should see… Then smiled that beautiful smile And said, “Darling, all of this is me.” [Band swells] [Final Chorus — Female + Male] That Crawlin’ Chaos man, Never needed any plan, We’re just little sparks of madness Dancing where the fire began. [Male] Don’t listen to his promise! [Female] Don’t listen to his lies! [Both] ’Cause the Crawlin’ Chaos doesn’t come To kill you— He comes to open your eyes. [Backing vocals] Open your eyes… Open your eyes… [Female] That Crawlin’ Chaos man… [Male] Here he comes again. [Female — whispered] Well… Pour him a drink. [Final muted trumpet note]