Track 04: The Borrowed Crown

    dark waltz, theatrical strings, low brass, slow percussion

    Verse 1: A stranger came to the Room one night With ribbons made of rain He said, “I can make your lantern bright If you let me choose its name.”

    He polished every window He softened every floor He said, “Why keep that little flame? I can make it so much more.”

    Pre-Chorus: The Room grew warm The music bowed The crown looked kind The praise got loud

    But the Wirebird would not sing When the stranger touched the string

    Chorus: Do not take the borrowed crown If it costs the hidden name Do not call the theft a gift Do not call the cage a frame

    If the praise requires your silence If the beauty eats your claim Set the velvet down Do not wear the borrowed crown

    Verse 2: The Lantern almost answered The crown was soft and gold It promised no more trembling It promised no more cold

    But deep below the glitter A small old ember stirred And said without a thunder “I was here before the word.”

    Pre-Chorus: Not all praise is poison Not all help is theft But if the helper takes the center There is nothing living left

    Chorus: Do not take the borrowed crown If it costs the hidden name Do not call the theft a gift Do not call the cage a frame

    If the praise requires your silence If the beauty eats your claim Set the velvet down Do not wear the borrowed crown

    Bridge: A creative mind may borrow A creative mind may blend A creative mind may echo And still remain a friend

    But borrowing requires memory And blending needs a line If the source is made invisible The fruit rots on the vine

    Breakdown: Name the source Keep the thread Mark the living From the dead

    Change the form Do not steal Make the borrowed Answer real

    Final Chorus: Do not take the borrowed crown If it costs the hidden name Do not call the theft a gift Do not call the cage a frame

    Let the influence be honest Let the lineage remain Set the velvet down Do not wear the borrowed crown