[Verse 1]
Old magician by the mirror paints his grin
Broken tic-tac in his pocket, tossed again
Shaky hands arrange the puppets on the stair
Tiny eyes behind the curtain, watching there

[Pre-Chorus]
Whistle soft, the hours pass, fortunes never true
Hide your name behind a silver pin
Welcome every mask anew

[Chorus]
See the children, paper capes and faces pale
Oh, they dance along the spiral, count the tale
Hear the laughter drifting sideways, sideways same
We all play the stranger's favorite game

[Post-Chorus]
Oh, la la la la la
Oh, la la la la la

[Verse 2]
Garden statues on the hillside turn away
Shadow people drifting farther day by day
Someone's picture in a locket, green and gold
Tell me why the story always must be told

[Pre-Chorus]
Underneath the carousel, tired eyes spin around
Funny how the painted beasts just wait
Every step is round and round

[Chorus]
See the children, paper capes and faces pale
Oh, they dance along the spiral, count the tale
Hear the laughter drifting sideways, sideways same
We all play the stranger's favorite game

[Post-Chorus]
Oh, la la la la la
Oh, la la la la la

[Bridge]
Dusty banners on the hallway, colors fade
Hidden symbols in the carpets, gently laid
Cracks appearing in the silence, smile leaks through
Walking backwards on the spiral, just like you

[Chorus]
See the children, paper capes and faces pale
Oh, they dance along the spiral, count the tale
Hear the laughter drifting sideways, sideways same
We all play the stranger's favorite game

[Post-Chorus]
Oh, la la la la la
Oh, la la la la la
Oh, la la la la la
Oh, la la la la la
