Webber, Andrew Lloyd Masquerade Lyrics

MASQUERADE

ANDRE:
M'sieur Firmin!

FIRMIN:
M'sieur Andre!
Dear Andre, what a splendid party!

ANDRE:
The prologue to a bright new year!

FIRMIN:
Quite a night! I'm impressed!

ANDRE:
Well, one does one's best

ANDRE/FIRMIN:
Here's to us!

ANDRE:
The toast to all the city

FIRMIN:
What a pity that our Phantom can't be here!

CHORUS:
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 ghost
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 and friend who ever knew you!
Masquerade! Leering satyrs, peering eyes
Masquerade! Run and hide but a face will still pursue you!

COMPANY:
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 ghosts!
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!

CHRISTINE:
Think of it! A secret engagement! Look, your future bride! Just think of it!

RAOUL:
But why is it secret? What have we to hide? You promised me.

CHRISTINE:
No, Raoul. Please don't, they'll see.

RAOUL:
Well then let them see. It's an engagement, not a crime!
Christine, What are you afraid of?

CHRISTINE:
Let's not argue...

RAOUL:
Let's not argue...

CHRISTINE:
Please pretend...

RAOUL:
I can only hope I'll...

CHRISTINE:
You will...

BOTH:
...understand in time

ALL:
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!