Cryptid Carnival

[OPENING HOOK] [explosive samba entrance — instantly catchy] welcome to the cryptid carnival, where the whole damn jungle's in the street! i came lookin' for a little rhythm, now every monster's dancin' to my beat! welcome to the cryptid carnival, feathers flyin' through the night! i don't know who crowned me king— but somebody tied it on tight! [VERSE 1] hit rio with my banjo in a beat-up case, followed that drumline straight into the place. lost my map somewhere between the food and the beer, then a mask leaned close and whispered, "boy, you're here." glitter hit my beard, feathers hit my hat, somebody painted one big stripe across my back. i said, "hold up, y'all, i ain't part of this crew." a little masked goblin said, "that's what they all say too." [PRE-HOOK] one drum hit— then another answered. whole street shook like the pavement learned to samba. somebody grabbed my hand, pulled me into the crowd— i said, "i ain't prepared!" they said, "neither are we!" [HOOK – EVOLVED] welcome to the cryptid carnival, where the whole damn jungle's in the street! i came lookin' for a little rhythm, now every monster's dancin' to my beat! welcome to the cryptid carnival, feathers flyin' left and right! i walked in wearin' muddy boots— now i'm king of the night! [VERSE 2] one-legged trickster came spinnin' on a cane, laughin' like a thunderstorm ridin' on a train. red cap crooked, grin wider than the moon, said, "play that banjo, hillbilly— we're startin' soon." forest-foot stomped in wearing feathers and beads, every step he took made the whole street shake. big-eyed beast roared when i hit that root— then ten thousand voices screamed, "again! again! again!" i tried one chord. they lost their minds. i tried two chords. they formed a line. by the time i hit that third one clean, somebody crowned me with a tambourine. [PRE-HOOK 2] horns came blastin', whistles went wild, somebody's grandpa started dancin' like a child. drums all collided— then somehow found the groove. i stopped askin' questions. i just started to move. [HOOK – BIGGER] welcome to the cryptid carnival, where the masks blink back when you stare! i came here lost with a banjo case, now i'm throwin' rhythms through the air! welcome to the cryptid carnival, and the whole damn street knows my name! i thought i came here for a party— turns out i became the parade! [RAP BREAK] pandeiro poppin', surdo go boom, banjo in my hand and there's no more room. feathers on my shoulders, glitter on my face, somebody's little swamp monster just stole my place. i said, "who's in charge?" they pointed at me. i said, "absolutely not." they said, "one, two, three!" then the whole damn bloco hit the beat together— and i swear that forest started dancin' better. [BRIDGE] [drop to nylon guitar, pandeiro, distant crowd] if the street starts breathin' underneath your feet... don't run. don't hide. just follow the beat. some doors only open when the wild things call. sometimes a lost hillbilly gets invited to it all. [FINAL HOOK – FULL CARNIVAL] welcome to the cryptid carnival, now the whole damn jungle's in the street! feathers flyin', horns are cryin', every legend's movin' to the beat! welcome to the cryptid carnival, and i ain't goin' home tonight! they gave this hillbilly a crown and a banjo— now i'm king of the cryptid night! welcome to the cryptid carnival! let the monsters stomp and sing! if you came here lookin' for the wild side— brother, you found the king! [OUTRO] [drums stop suddenly] somebody tell my mama... i think i joined a parade. ...and apparently i'm the mayor.