[Intro - Harpsichord, Violin, Three Bells] [Verse 1] Come gather close, good ladies and lords, I've nothing hiding up my sleeves. A card, a coin, a borrowed name— Just ordinary things, you see. I came by roads that don't exist, Through doors that swear we've never met. And where I'm going after this? Ah, that's a detail I've misplaced. [Pre-Chorus] Watch the left hand, Watch the right, Watch the little bird take flight. Count to three— Now count once more... Wasn't there a card here before? [Chorus] Oh, follow the Wandering Fool, Wherever his crooked road goes. He'll dance where the sensible walk, And find what nobody knows. A bell for a lie, A card for the truth, A mask for whichever you choose. So laugh while the curtain is open, my friends— You've nothing but certainty to lose. [Instrumental Dance - Violin and Accordion] [Verse 2] The merchant watches silver coins, The soldier watches every door. The lover watches someone's eyes— And I? I watch what you're watching for. A nervous hand, A practiced smile, The half-step backward when you lie. Such tiny things. Don't mind me. I'm merely passing by. [Pre-Chorus] Choose a face, Choose a name, Every street becomes a stage. Look away, Then look again— Someone's moved the scenery. [Chorus] Oh, follow the Wandering Fool, Wherever his crooked road goes. He'll dance where the sensible walk, And find what nobody knows. A bell for a lie, A card for the truth, A mask for whichever you choose. So laugh while the curtain is open, my friends— You've nothing but certainty to lose. [Bridge - Sparse, Intimate] Tell me... When everyone wears a face for the world, Why fear the man who admits it? When everyone alters the stories they tell... Who's really performing? [Single Bell] Interesting. [Masquerade Break - Melody Becomes Unreliable] One little mirror, Two little lies, Three different Vezios passing you by. Four little footsteps, Five disappear— Six— [Silence] Which one was standing here? [Final Chorus - Full Ensemble] Come follow the Wandering Fool! There's plenty of road left to roam. We'll borrow a stage from the moonlight tonight, And tomorrow— Who knows where we'll go? A bell for a secret, A card for a friend, A mask for the stories we choose. And if we should happen to meet here again... Perhaps I'll remember you. [Short Pause] Perhaps. [Outro - Instruments Gradually Vanish] You've been wonderful. [Footsteps Recede] [Silence] [Single Distant Bell]
