[Title: The Harlequin's Mask] [Intro: dark piano establishes a tragic theatre motif, low cello answers, distant organ breathes in the background] [Verse 1: close male baritone, intimate and restrained] A harlequin stands beneath the lights with painted joy across his face the crowd believes the smile they see but never knows what lies beneath He bows beneath the velvet red while something colder wakes inside the laughter falls like broken glass and every wound learns how to hide [Pre-Chorus: drums enter slowly, tension rising] He smiles too wide he bows too low the whole world claps but does not know [Chorus: wider vocal, organ and guitars rise behind the hook] The mask is smiling but the man beneath is gone the music keeps on playing though something here is wrong The mask is smiling while the heart turns cold and black the show goes on around him but he can never take it back [Verse 2: darker and more intense] The arena waits in silence now the painted colours start to fade the harlequin removes his grin and meets the face that he betrayed No laughter lives behind his eyes no mercy waits beneath the skin he hears the echo of the crowd but only hatred answers him [Pre-Chorus: synth bass deepens, guitars become heavier] The lights grow weak the music dies the mask comes off there are no lies [Chorus: full gothic rock chorus] The mask is smiling but the man beneath is gone the music keeps on playing though something here is wrong The mask is smiling while the heart turns cold and black the show goes on around him but he can never take it back [Instrumental Break: mournful cello lead, solemn pipe organ, restrained distorted guitar solo] [Bridge: quiet, fractured, still sung] The show is over the laughter dies the dream lies broken behind his eyes He looks into the mirror and finally sees his face no colours left to hide him no smile left in its place [Build-Up: drums return slowly, organ motif rising] Morning comes the tent still waits another crowd another stage He takes the mask with steady hands and paints the smile they understand [Final Chorus: dramatic and heavier, full band] The mask is smiling and the crowd believes again the music starts to breathe now the curtain rises when The mask is smiling while the darkness stays inside the harlequin returns to them with nothing left to hide [Outro: organ, cello, distant applause turning into cold wind] Morning comes it is time for the show The mask upon his face A knife within his hand
