Masquerade
The Original London Cast Lyrics
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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
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 'til 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 crème, de la crème
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 the new chandelier
And may our 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?
Please, let's not fight (Christine, you're free)
Wait 'til the time is right (when will that be?)
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
The lyrics of "Masquerade" from The Original London Cast of the musical "The Phantom of the Opera" evoke the themes of deception, hidden identities, and the complexity of human nature. The imagery of paper faces on parade in a masquerade ball suggests a world where individuals conceal their true selves behind masks of various shades. It symbolizes the facade that people present to the world, hiding their vulnerabilities and true emotions in an attempt to fit societal expectations.
The verses highlight the kaleidoscope of characters at the masquerade, from fools and kings to queens and priests, each wearing a different mask representing their roles in society. The swirling colors and contrasting identities, such as the fool and the king, or the ghoul and the goose, create a sense of mystery and duality in human nature. The repetition of the word "faces" emphasizes the multitude of personas that people adopt in their daily lives.
As the song progresses, the focus shifts to the spectacle and allure of the masquerade, where participants lose themselves in the hypnotic display of colors and sounds. The lyrics caution against getting lost in the illusion, urging listeners to question the authenticity behind the masks and the true intentions of those around them. Despite the dazzling display, there is a sense of unease and foreboding as the idea of hidden agendas and deceit lingers in the background.
The final lines of the song introduce a darker tone, with references to "seething shadows breathing lies" and the idea that one cannot escape the repercussions of their actions, as seen in the haunting image of a face that continues to pursue. The lyrics suggest a moral ambiguity in the masquerade, where individuals may manipulate others and deceive even their closest friends. The themes of secrecy, manipulation, and the consequences of one's actions are woven throughout the song, culminating in a chilling reminder of the power dynamics at play in the intricate dance of masks and masquerades.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Charles Hart, Richard Stilgoe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PinacoladaMatthew
Monsieur Andre! Monsieur Firmin!
Dear Andre, what a splendid party
The prelude to a bright new year
Quite a night, I'm impressed
Well, one does one's best
Here's to us
The toast for the city
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, 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 crème, de la crème
Watching us, watching them
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 the splendor never fade
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, they'll see
Well then 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
@PinacoladaMatthew
That phantom fellow's gonna mess you all up in a minute
@dio52
Best scene in the show for me. The scene in the movie was a huge disappointment since everyone was in black and white, while the song is about how colorful the masquerade is. The stage versions I've seen have the whole cast in brilliant Venetian carnival style costumes, and it's just a delight for the eyes.
@melachesta1582
I think i can understand why they chosen black and white
@raoulcarggarglin9323
Do tell...
@melanierippon7884
Why black & white, gold & silver for the movie masquerade costumes? Easy - Christine stands out in pale pink & the Phantom as the Red Death looks even more dramatic when he suddenly enters. Also, certain colours look better on-screen vs onstage, e.g. red never looks as crisp as other colours in tv/movies unless costume department are VERY careful with shade/fabric/lighting.
@joekaput747
Also, I think I remember Joel Schumacher saying they wanted to make it easier on the costume designer, to keep the colors needed to a minimum.
Joel, quick question. You are aware there are tours around the world that have to make their own for each production?
No? Not surprised.
@paige3289
In the book christine and Raul are wearing black and white so maybe that's why
@bobkatfan2013
The movie can't hold a candle to the original musical.
@FelisDestructicus
Amen to that. "THIS AIN'T SPARTA!!!" XD
@helenculpepper7299
AGREED.