Cold wind kisses the copper crown
Rain writes verses on my skin
Forged for a chapel's quiet hush
Now I sing where the dead begin
Altos rise where the wax runs red
Lantern in black water
Holds the night in liquid glass
Lantern in black water
Catches breath as spirits pass
Candle gutters, wind takes a tithe
Flame bows low in reverence
Choir rises on a frozen breath
Latin verses chase the death
Incense ghosts on the cold stone floor
Lantern in black water
Holds the night in liquid glass
Lantern in black water
Catches breath as spirits pass
Feet in pointed shoes tap near
Laughter spills like wine on stone
Faces young and old appear
Reflected in my glass alone
Masks drink the light I have shown
Lantern in black water
Holds the night in liquid glass
Lantern in black water
Catches breath as spirits pass
Organ drones from the church on the hill
Violin weeps a minor third
My flame is a prayer the wind cannot kill
Held in water, undisturbed
Dawn will crack the black mirror's face
Steam will rise when light returns
But tonight I hold the sacred space
Where the lantern in water burns
Ash and wick for the morning urns
Lantern in black water
Holds the night in liquid glass
Lantern in black water
Catches breath as spirits pass
Lantern in black water
Flame sleeps in the glass
Dawn drinks the water