Masquerade

Dear Andre what a splendid party!

The prologue to a bright new year!

Quite a night! I'm impressed!

Well, one does one's best (raising their glasses) Here's to us!

The toast before the sitting, what a pity that the 'Phantom' can't be here!

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 of 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?

Curl 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 creme de la creme!

Watching us watching them, and all our fears are in the past!

Three months, of relief, of delight!

Of Elysian peace!

And we can breathe at last!

No more notes, no more ghost

Here's a health, here's a toast, to a prosperous year

To our friends who are here, and may its splendour never fade

Three 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's it secret? What have we to hide? You promised me

No Ralph please don't they'll see