Death And The Maiden

Intro: verse 1 The Maiden weighed anchor at her last port of call Jenny ran down the docks, late for the Ball Her father yelled, "Jenny, be back by midnight For the Maiden, she sails in the morning’s half-light" verse 2 She didn’t turn back, just waved her hand Already hearing the drums of the band They were washing the streets with whiskey and wine When she reached the Ball, the clock struck nine verse 3 She wore a mask made from black-feathered doves A crimson dress and long black gloves She kicked off her shoes and danced on her toes With her hair blowing wherever night winds chose She saw an angel, a devil, a cat and a clown A bird with no wings and a king with no crown Dancers flowed like water on the square Then parted like waves and a man stood there Interlude: verse 4 He wore a plain black mask like a second skin It covered his face from forehead to chin Oh, she could taste in the wind, the salt of the sea And his eyes were as blue and his manner as free Verse 5 He said, "Jenny, as always, you’re lovely, my dear As for me, I’ve aged another sad year" With a plead in his voice and a need in his stance "Jenny Mackay, honour me with a dance" Verse 6 She didn’t know how he knew her name But something inside her lit like a flame And it seemed that this moment was destined to be So she danced with him there, on the square, by the sea She was drunk, drunk, drunk by the moon Had they danced for hours or just that one tune? She could have danced, danced, danced all night But the Maiden must sail in the morning’s half-light Interlude Verse 7 He said, "Jenny Mackay, does it bring you joy To dance with the man you tried to destroy?" Then he took off his mask, and she took in a breath It was Captain Leroux of the ship known as Death Verse 8 The clock struck 12, he stood stone still He said, "One fateful night off the coast of Brazil The pirate ship, Maiden, came looking for me Captain Mackay and his daughter, Jenny" Verse 9 "I’d danced with you once at this Bal Masque I never knew then you were Jenny Mackay You burned half my ship, took the lives of my crew And there on my deck, tried to take my life too" "The cannons blazed and the waves grew higher There was blood in the sky and the sea was on fire Never again will such a night be As when Death and the Maiden danced in the sea" Interlude: verse 10 "A shot from my pistol bloodied your dress You fell in my arms with a lady’s finesse Then ran your cold steel from my forehead to chin" And said to me softly, "I’ll see you again" verse 11 She touched her hand to the scar on his face For a second it faded leaving no trace Then she kissed him one time, like her lips were a brand Then slipped from his grasp, like water through sand Now the Maiden she sails with ghosts on her decks She’ll sail forever, this world or the next Searching for Death below and above But one night a year, Jenny dances her love Outro (fade to end)