Masquerade

[bnewman]

A song for Esther, heroine of the Jewish holiday of Purim.

lyrics and music by Benjamin Newman

listen to this song

/ 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...