Welcome, vessels of flesh and blood
To my humble theatre, why have you come?
Was it fear that brought you here?
New toys for the puppeteer

I see you admiring my mannequins
A little paint and you could be like them
For a price I’ll doll you up vividly
And string you up into a new reality

You can have what you want in exchange for your soul
Agree to my terms and you’ll never grow old
Now be a good puppet, lifeless and stiff
And wait for the next show to begin

Welcome to the puppet show
The lights are down and you cannot go home
Dance, soulless marionette
While the puppeteer pulls your strings to collect

I’ll sew your mouth shut, there’s no need to speak
Pretty dolls should only be seen
I’ll teach you to dance, just leave it to me
So smile pretty and try not to think

The weight of the porcelain constricting your throat
And any expression is only for show
You’ve signed my contract, your soul is mine
Your eyes have gone glassy-- life is easier blind

Free thinking is a form of disease
You don’t need it, that’s why you have me
I’ll cure you of your thoughtful malady
You won’t even notice I’ve been pulling your strings

Welcome to the puppet show
The lights are down and you cannot go home
Dance, soulless marionette
While the puppeteer pulls your strings to collect

All of the lies you’ve been slowly spoon-fed
The preconceived notions beaten into your head
Notes and chords you’ve been beckoned to follow
Have lost their appeal and are ringing hollow

Feel the chips in your painted mask
Find a mirror and count the cracks
The strings that hold you are starting to fray
If you take the chance you could make your own way

Disregard the final curtain call
Don’t trust in the strings to break your fall
When the lights come up and you see what you’ve missed
Maybe then, you’ll learn to resist

Refuse your role in the masquerade
Abandon the stage and end the charade
Hijack the puppet show
Cut your strings and dance on your own
Break through the cracks in your porcelain mask
Scream your defiance like shattering glass