[Verse 1] The lanterns lit the cobbled square With masks of silk and braided hair No name was spoken, none were known Just dancers spinning all alone [Verse 2] A merchant twirled with someone tall A duchess bowed to none at all A child sang tunes in borrowed lace While strangers smiled behind their face [Chorus] At the masked parade, we all belong No need for right, no fear of wrong Just steps and laughter, veils and flame Where no one asks you for your name [Verse 3] The music swelled, the crowd grew wide And secrets danced from side to side No truth was asked, no lie was told Just stories stitched in marigold [Verse 4] A painter kissed a soldier’s hand A baker led a noble band The masks grew wet with wine and rain But no one asked for real again [Chorus] At the masked parade, we spin and sway We borrow truth, then give it away No past to bind, no role to claim Just rhythm wrapped in borrowed name [Verse 5] The night grew thin, the stars grew bold And still the masks refused to fold They danced until the dawn grew pale Then vanished with the final tale [Verse 6] Now every year, the masks return With stories stitched in twist and turn And though we change, and though we stray We find ourselves in masks that play [Chorus] At the masked parade, we laugh and glide We hide ourselves, then step outside No crown, no chain, no need to frame Just freedom dancing in our name
