Masquerade

Masquerade, paper faces on parade
Masquerade, hide your face, so the world will never find you
Masquerade, every face a different shade
Masquerade, look around, there's another mask behind you

Flash of mauve, splash of puce
Fool and king, ghoul and goose
Green and black, queen and priest
Trace and rouge, face of beast, faces

Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round
In an inhuman race

Eye of gold, thigh of blue
True is false, who is who
Crul of lip, swirl of gown
Ace of hearts, face of clown, faces

Drink it in, drink it up, till you've drowned
In the light, in the sound
But who can name the face?

Masquerade, grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade, take your fill, let the spectacle astound you
Masquerade, burning glances, turning heads
Masquerade, stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you

Masquerade, seething shadows, breathing lies
Masquerade, you can fool any friend who ever knew you
Masquerade, leering satyrs, peering eyes
Masquerade, run and hide, but a face will still pursue you

What a night, what a crowd
Makes you glad, makes you proud
All the crème de la crème
Watching us watching them

And all our fears are in the past
Six months of relief,, of delight
Of elysian peace

And we can breathe at last
No more notes, no more ghosts
Here's a health

Here's a toast: To a prosperous year
To the new chandelier
And may its splendour never fade
Six months, what a joy
What a change
What a blessed release
And what a masquerade
Think of it, a secret engagement
Look - your future bride
Just think of it
But why is it secret?
What have we to hide?
Please, let's not fight
Christine, you're free
Wait till the time is right
When will that be?
It's an engagement, not a crime
Christine, what are you afraid of?

Let's not argue, let's not argue, please pretend
I can only hope I'll (you) will understand in time

Masquerade, paper faces on parade
Masquerade, hide your face, so the world will never find you
Masquerade, every face a different shade
Masquerade, look around, there's another mask behind you

Masquerade, burning glances turning heads
Masquerade, stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you
Masquerade, grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade, take your fill, let the spectacle astound you