"Masquerade"
lyrics and music by Benjamin Newman

/ Am G FG Am / Am G F G / / F G FG Am /

I came to the palace with all the rest;
To win the king's favor, I've done my best.
The jewel of his harem, and soon to be queen;
And yet my true face I have kept unseen...

My cousin reminds me it's not from shame,
But only from prudence that I play this game.
To my king I'm a goddess, with stars in her eyes,
And her name is my name, and it's my disguise.

The life of the palace is wine and dance,
But I don't belong -- I just fell here by chance;
And yet, though I conceal all the fear that I feel,
Still, behind all these masks, is our love not real?

But I don't believe what I've just been told,
And behind all its splendor, the palace is cold:
No one steps out of place, no one shows their true face,
And the blood of my people's been bought and sold!

What can I do now? I'm so afraid!
G?d of my ancestors, lend me Your aid!
I could swallow my fear if I knew You were here,
But I can't find Your face in this masquerade!

So I'm making my way through the court, alone;
At the risk of my neck, I'm approaching the throne --
And I don't dare to ask: Strip my foe of his mask --
Only courage enough to take off my own...