Andrew Lloyd Webber - Masquerade/Why So Silent? (Film Version) lyrics

[FIRMIN, spoken] Monsieur André! [ANDRE, spoken] Monsieur Firmin! [FIRMIN] Dear André, what a splendid party! [ANDRÉ] The prologue to a bright new year! [FIRMIN] Quite a night, I'm impressed [ANDRÉ] Well, one does one's best! [ANDRÉ/FIRMIN (raising their gla**es)] Here's to us [ANDRÉ] The toast of all the city [FIRMIN] What a pity that the Phantom can't be here! [The gauze lifts fully to reveal the staircase of the opera house. The opera ball begins. Among the GUESTS are four carrying strange percussion instruments: a monkey with cymbals, a toy soldier with a drum, a triangle, bells. Together they play weirdly throughout.] [Chorus/CROWD] 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 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 any friend who ever knew you! Masquerade! Leering satyrs, peering eyes Masquerade! Run and hide—but a face will still pursue you! [CARLOTTA] What a night! [FIRMIN] What a crowd! [ANDRÉ] Makes you glad! [FIRMIN] Makes you proud! All the crème de la crème! [CARLOTTA] Watching us Watching them! [MEG/GIRY] And all our fears are in the past! [ANDRÉ] Three months! [PIANGI] Of relief! [CARLOTTA] Of delight! [ANDRÉ] Of Elysian peace! [FIRMIN] And we can ​breathe at last! [CARLOTTA] No more notes! [PIANGI] No more ghost! [GIRY] Here's a health [ANDRÉ] Here's a toast: To a prosperous year! [FIRMIN] To our friends who are here! [PIANGI/CARLOTTA] And may our ​splendour ​never fade! [FIRMIN] Three months! [GIRY] What a joy! [MEG] What a change! [FIRMIN/ANDRÉ] What a blessed release! [GIRY] And what a masquerade! [They clink gla**es and move off. RAOUL and CHRISTINE emerge. She is admiring a new acquisition: an engagement ring from RAOUL, which she has attached to a gold chain around her neck] [CHRISTINE, sung] Think of it! (spoken) A secret engagement! Look—your future bride! Just think of it! [RAOUL, spoken] But why is it secret? What have we to hide? You promised me... [CHRISTINE, spoken] No, Raoul, please don't, they'll see... [RAOUL, spoken] Well then let them see. It's an engagement, not a crime! (sung) Christine, what are you afraid of? [CHRISTINE, sung] Let's not ​argue Please ​pretend You will ​understand in time [RAOUL, sung] Let's not argue I can only ​hope I'll ​understand in time [Instrumental interlude] [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! [At the height of the activity a grotesque figure suddenly appears at the top of the staircase. Dressed all in crimson, with a d**h's head visible inside the hood of his robe, the PHANTOM has come to the party. With dreadful wooden steps he descends the stairs and takes the centre of the stage] [PHANTOM] 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! [He takes from under his robe an enormous bound man*script] Here I bring the finished score— "Don Juan Triumphant"! [He throws it to ANDRÉ and then unsheaths his sword and brandishes it towards his respective targets] Fondest greetings to you all! A few instructions just before rehearsal starts: Carlotta must be taught to act Not her normal trick of strutting 'round the stage Our Don Juan must lose some weight— It's not healthy in a man of Piangi's age And my managers must learn That their place is in an office, not the arts [He sheaths his sword for his next target] As for our star, Miss Christine Daaé... No doubt she'll do her best It's true, her voice is good She knows, though, should she wish to excel She has much still to learn If pride will let her return to me, her teacher Her teacher... [Meanwhile, RAOUL temporarily steps out to get his rapier. CHRISTINE, mesmerised, stands still as the PHANTOM approaches her. He reaches out, grasps the chain that holds the secret engagement ring, and rips it from her throat] Your chains are still mine You belong to me