Masquerade / Why So Silent? (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, 2011)

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

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 satyrs, spinning 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!
Six 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 the new chandelier!

And may its splendor never fade!
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?

You promised me
No, Raoul, please don't let them see
Well let them see
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)
You will understand in time (I'll 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!

Why so silent, good Messieurs?
Did you think that I had left you for good?
Have you missed me, good Messieurs?
I have written you an opera
Here, I bring the finished score
Don Juan Triumphant!

I advise you to comply
My instructions should be clear
Remember, there are worse things than a shattered chandelier!

Your chains are still mine,
You will sing for me!