Verse 1 There’s a tavern down in Waterdeep Called the Yawning Portal’s door, Where adventurers and broken dreams Lie scattered on the floor. I came in young with a silver tongue And a lute of polished pine— Never knew the City of Splendors Could steal what once was mine. Verse 2 I played for Harpers in secret halls, For causes brave and true, Sang oaths beneath the moonlit docks Where the watchful griffons flew. But gold talks loud on Tavern Row And debts have hungry teeth— A smiling man from Zhentarim Taught me how to cheat. Chorus Oh, ring those bells of Waterdeep, Let them echo through the night, For a bard who chased the dragon’s hoard Till he lost his way from light. If you hear a lonely melody Drifting to the sea— That’s just the ghost of who I was Singing back at me. Verse 3 I sang for Masked Lords dressed in silk, For nobles cold and proud, For sailors fresh from Skullport’s gloom And crowds both rough and loud. Every cheer felt like a blessing, Every coin like a crown— Till I learned the city lifts you up Just to let you tumble down. Verse 4 I wagered dice with Xanathar’s men In cellars dark as pitch, Lost a purse to a drow-eyed rogue And a charm to a Calishite witch. My name got passed through shadowed lips In taverns low and deep— There’s a price for every song you sing On the crooked streets of Deep. Chorus Oh, ring those bells of Waterdeep, Let them mourn what I became— A minstrel caught in guild and scheme And whispered, dangerous names. If you hear a trembling harmony Fading out of key— That’s just the echo of a man Who never once fled free. Verse 5 Now the Dock Ward knows me all too well By the holes worn in my cloak, By the way I trade tomorrow’s hope For another bitter joke. The City Watch don’t hear my songs, The temples turn away— Even Tymora’s lucky smile Has little left to say. Verse 6 My harp’s been pawned three times or more, My lute’s held tight with twine, I sold a ballad to a dragonborn For half a flask of wine. The Open Lord don’t know my name, Nor care what I’ve become— Just another voice the city chewed And finally left undone. Final Chorus So ring those bells of Waterdeep, Let them tell my tale tonight— Of a bard who chased the city’s glow And faded from its light. If you hear a broken melody Drifting toward the Keep— That’s a warning to the dreamers still Who come to Waterdeep. Outro Take heed, you bright-eyed traveling souls With music in your hands— The City of Splendors loves you most When you don’t understand. Guard your heart and guard your gold, And the company you keep— Or you’ll end up just another ghost Lost in Waterdeep.
