[Lady with a Fan]

[Verse 1]
Let my inspiration flow
In token rhyme suggesting rhythm
That will not forsake me
Till my tale is told and done

[Verse 2]
While the firelight's aglow
Strange shadows from the flames will grow
Till things we've never seen
Will seem familiar

[Verse 3]
Shadows of a sailor forming
Winds both foul and fair all swarm
Down in Carlisle, he loved a lady
Many years ago

[Verse 4]
Here beside him stands a man
A soldier from the looks of him
Who came through many fights
But lost at love
[Verse 5]
While the storyteller speaks
A door within the fire creaks
Suddenly flies open
And a girl is standing therе

[Verse 6]
Eyes alight with glowing hair
All that fancy paints as fair
She takes hеr fan and throws it
In the lion's den

[Verse 7]
"Which of you to gain me, tell
Will risk uncertain pains of hell?
I will not forgive you
If you will not take the chance"

[Verse 8]
The sailor gave at least a try
The soldier being much too wise
Strategy was his strength
And not disaster

[Verse 9]
The sailor coming out again
The lady fairly leapt at him
That's how it stands today
You decide if he was wise
[Verse 10]
The storyteller makes no choice
Soon you will not hear his voice
His job is to shed light
And not to master

[Verse 11]
Since the end is never told
We pay the teller off in gold
In hopes he will come back
But he cannot be bought or sold

[Terrapin Station]

[Verse 12]
Inspiration move me brightly
Light the song with sense and color
Hold away despair
More than this I will not ask
Faced with mysteries dark and vast
Statements just seem vain at last
Some rise, some fall, some climb
To get to Terrapin

[Verse 13]
Counting stars by candlelight
All are dim but one is bright:
The spiral light of Venus
Rising first and shining best
Oh, from the northwest corner
Of a brand-new crescent moon
Crickets and cicadas sing
A rare and different tune
[Verse 14]
Terrapin Station
In the shadow of the moon
Terrapin Station
And I know we'll be there soon
Terrapin - I can't figure out
Terrapin - if it's the end or beginning
Terrapin - but the train's put its brakes on
Terrapin - and the whistle is screaming:
Terrapin!

[At a Siding]

[Verse 15]
While you were gone
These faces filled with darkness
The obvious was hidden
With nothing to believe in
The compass always points to Terrapin

[Verse 16]
Sullen wings of fortune beat like rain
You're back in Terrapin for good or ill again
For good or ill again