Masquerade
Original London Cast - The Phantom of the Opera Lyrics

Masquerade, paper faces on parade
People hiding behind masks and showing a pretense of themselves.

Masquerade, hide your face so the world will never find you
Be anonymous, lest you be truly known and judged.

Masquerade, every face a different shade
Everyone's a different type of liar.

Masquerade, look around, there's another mask behind you
Don't trust too quickly for a true face may not be behind the mask.

Flash of mauve, splash of puce
A riot of colors on display.

Fool and king, ghoul and goose
People from all walks of life.

Green and black, queen and priest
People from all status.

Trace of rouge, face of beast, faces
Even the ugliest people can pretend to be beautiful.

Take your turn, take a ride
Everyone gets their turn in the game of masquerade.

On the merry-go-round in an inhuman race
Life is a never-ending cycle of insincerity and deceit.

Thigh of blue, true is false
A riddle that can't be solved.

Who is who
The question of everyone's true identity.

Curl of lip, swirl of gown
The art of deception goes deeper than just facial expressions.

Ace of hearts, face of clown, faces
A malevolent trickster can have a kind facade.

Drink it in, drink it up 'til you've drowned
Succumbing to the lie completely.

In the light, in the sound
Basking in the glamour of deceitful ruses.

But who can name the face?
People are rendered unrecognizable in masquerade.

Grinning yellows, spinning reds
Embodiment of the mischievous nature of masquerade.

Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you
Be awed by the grandeur of masquerade.

Burning glances, turning heads
The lure of the mysterious masked person.

Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you
A sinister play of smiles in masquerade.

Seething shadows breathing lies
The invisible presence of deceit.

You can fool any friend who ever knew you
The danger of masquerade lies in its ability to deceive even one's closest allies.

Leering satyrs, peering eyes
The grotesque and prying nature of masquerade beings.

Run and hide, but a face will still pursue you
The fear of being found out in masquerade.

Why so silent, good Messieurs?
A beckoning to attention of the hidden audience.

Did you think that I had left you for good?
A reassurance of the presence of the masquerade being.

Have you missed me, good Messieurs?
The hubris and vanity of the masquerade being.

I have written you an opera
The masquerade being's attempt to impress and entertain its audience.

Here, I bring the finished score
The masquerade being's gift to its audience.

Don Juan triumphant
The masquerade being's victory and pride in its creation.

I advise you to comply
The ominous nature of the masquerade being's request.

My instructions should be clear
The masquerade being's attempt to assert dominance over its audience.

Remember, there are worse things than a shattered chandelier
A warning to the audience to obey the masquerade being.

Your chains are still mine, you will sing for me
The masquerade being's complete control over its audience.

And all our fears are in the past
A sense of relief and peace present in the masquerade.

Three months of relief
A celebration of the temporary evasion of worries and fears.

Of delight, of elysian peace
A description of the perfect tranquility in the masquerade.

And we can breathe at last
A feeling of liberation and ease in the masquerade.

No more notes, no more ghost
The absence of one's true self in the masquerade.

Here's a health, here's a toast
A toast to the success and magnificence of the masquerade.

To a prosperous year, to the new chandelier
A wish for the coming year and a welcoming of a new creation.

And may our splendor never fade (what a joy) (what a change)
A wish for eternal glamour and beauty in the masquerade.

Think of it, a secret engagement
A temptress' seduction in a masquerade setup.

Look, your future bride, just think of it
The mirage of a promising future.

But why is it secret? What have we to hide?
A questioning of the rationale behind hiding one's true self.

Please, let's not fight (Christine, you're free)
A plea for peace and unity.

Wait 'til the time is right (when will that be?)
The excruciating waiting game of masquerade.

It's an engagement, not a crime
A justification for one's selfish acts in masquerade.

Christine, what are you afraid of?
The masquerade being's attempt to probe and exert their influence.

Let's not argue (let's not argue)
An attempt to silence dissent or criticism.

Please pretend (I can only hope)
The masquerade being's expectation of obedience and conformity.

You will understand in time (I'll understand in time)
The masquerade being's assurance of understanding and maturity.