[Instrumental] [Verse] Tickle, tickle, goes the blade, Ring-a-ding, the bells I've made, Every horror's just a bit, Every scream's my favorite skit. [Pre-Chorus] You wanted feelings kept apart — A joke for the mind, a knife for the heart — I like the whole performance, dear, So laugh with me — or laugh from fear. [Chorus] Ha-ha, ring the bells, watch me grin, King of the fools, fool of the sin, Your joy is my punchline, your fear's my applause, Step into my circus — there's no exit, no pause. [Verse] I don't tell the joke, my dear — I am the joke, Wrapped in bells and a hangman's cloak, Every death's a rimshot, every gasp's a cue, Guess who's the final act — it's you. [Pre-Chorus] You wanted feelings kept apart — A joke for the mind, a knife for the heart — I like the whole performance, dear, So laugh with me — or laugh from fear. [Chorus] Ha-ha, ring the bells, watch me grin, King of the fools, fool of the sin, Your joy is my punchline, your fear's my applause, Step into my circus — there's no exit, no pause. [Instrumental solo] [Bridge — half-spoken, layered voices, unhinged] "We are all the same now..." [giggling, distorted] Seven counters, curtain call — Nobody leaves the masquerade ball. [Chorus] Ha-ha, ring the bells, let it fall, Menace and mischief answer my call, Laughing last while the whole world broke, I never tell the joke — I am the joke. [Outro — bells fading, giggle, whisper] "When you hear the bells... the jester's already inside." [Fadeout — Instrumental]
