Ballade of the Masquerade

The scent of the air is musky and strong
And the light crawls like a fly up the wall.
The flutter of curtains � sad like a song �
Is a whisper at the end of the hall.
The shadows creep lengthwise, crippled and tall,
And the dancers are impossibly thin...

Weep for the beauty, give thanks for the Fall,
Now open the door, be silent, step in.

Oh, nothing you�ve done has ever been wrong,
Except that each of you answered a call...
A whisper that echoed dragged you along,
And now the miserable moments must crawl
Like the shadows, as they dance at the ball
That has been given in honor of sin.

You know there�s no choice. You know that you all
Must open the door. Be silent. Step in.

Go through the door, take your place with the throng,
And turn your faces away from the wall.
Look inward and down; you know you belong
To the silence that is hosting the ball.
It called you here, and to question that call
Would be more painful than living again...

You know there�s no choice; there�s nothing at all.
So open the door. Be silent. Step in.

The ballroom is waiting, empty of all
Save those few who have accepted their sin.

Refuse absolution � lunge for the Fall �
And open the door. Be silent. Step in.