[Intro - slow accordion alone, lazy and creaking, like a porch swing in still air] [Verse 1 - hushed, intimate, grandparent leaning close] Come sit wid me, likkle one, de sun gone low De bayou keep its secrets, but I want you to know You walk through dis world wid you chin so high But tell me — what you see in de corna of de eye? [Verse 2 - a little warmer, almost a smile in the voice] Your granfadda, he laugh too, just like you do now Said "nuttin dere but shadow" — wouldn't hear me, no how Came home one evening quiet, never said him why He had seen someting waiting in de corna of de eye [Chorus - the groove deepens, trumpet breathes in low] Don't look direct, no no Let it tink you blind De tings dat live beside us Don't like to be defined Dey older dan de cypress Dey older dan de sky Just let dem pass in peace now In de corna of de eye [Verse 3 - story mode, unhurried, the bayou is listening] Dere was a girl on Toulouse Street, pretty and bold Walked through de Quarter laughing, didn't do what she was told She looked straight at de darkness just to call its bluff Now she sit on de gallery, don't say nuttin much [Pre-Chorus - voice drops to almost nothing] I not trying to frighten you, my heart... I just want you to last... [Chorus] Don't look direct, no no Let it tink you blind De tings dat live beside us Don't like to be defined Dey older dan de cypress Dey older dan de sky Just let dem pass in peace now In de corna of de eye [Bridge - just voice and bass, barely moving] You see it now, don't you Dere — to de left Don't turn your head, baby Just... breathe Just breathe [Verse 4 - returning to warmth, almost a lullaby now] De bayou is not evil, no, it just IS It take what pulls attention, what forgets it isn't his So walk soft, speak grateful, let de old things lie And give a little respect to de corna of de eye [Outro - accordion returns alone, distant trumpet fading] Mmmmm... Corna of de eye... Corna of de eye... (sound of the swamp at night, slowly fading)
