Robyn Hitchcock And The Egyptians - Lady Waters & The Hooded One lyrics

"Will you dance with me, Lady Waters?" And a bony hand plucked her gown "Will you dance with me," said the Hooded One "For the plague has now reached this town." "No, I'll never dance," says Lady Waters "For I see that your name is d**h." And beneath her mask she was sweating At the Hooded One's fetid breath "Will you dance with me, Lady Waters? For the fire dies in your grate And your guests have gone and your lord's asleep And the plague has reached your estate." "Then I'll dance with you," says Lady Waters "For the stars grow pale in the dawn But I first must get my tiara For I left it out on the lawn." "Oh and if you get your tiara," And his eyes like coals, they did burn "You must give me all, and must taste my breath On the moment that you return." "Very well," she said from behind her mask "You must take from me what is mine: I'll return to you and submit to you." And the Hooded One, he said "Fine." She came back to him and took off her mask And the Hooded One, he recoiled What he thought was sweat on her face and hands It turned out to be tiny boils "You must take from me all I have," she said "You must take it all with good grace: For I have the plague on my body And I have the plague on my face." Oh the Hooded One took her house and lands He took every fork, every knife And he took the plague and he left her there Without anything but her life