On the last night of summer, I felt like a mummer 
Parading myself across the bright stage 
My smile was a mask so that no one would ask 
If the tears in my eyes were from sadness or rage 

Slow dancers were clinging, I could hear myself singing 
Words that were meant to be sweet on the tongue 
But they tasted like ash so I sang for the cash 
That was promised to me when this torture was done 

CHORUS 1: I fell into the music, I fell into the music 
It happened that quick like a magic trick
I fell into the music 

There were twenty four wines, ladies dressed to the nines 
People to revel and people to serve 
A grand summer ball, but it all seemed so small 
From the stage high above I could only observe 

Then I saw him stand there just beyond the grandeur 
Of the ornamentation and the dazzling sights 
A contrast in starkness, brightness to darkness 
Like he reached out his hand and turned off the lights 

CHORUS 2: I fell into the night, I fell into the night 
So far from the light and the smiles polite 
I fell into the night 

On the faint scent of jasmine came something that had been 
A memory hidden in the dark of my soul 
A night in the past that the days can’t outlast 
And dark eyes that burned like embers of coal 

Was I dreaming his face or was he here in this place 
Just a flicker away from the party light’s glow 
Was he here in disguise or a trick of my eyes 
A man, a dream, or just a shadow 

CHORUS 2 

He moved through the crowd, wore the night like a shroud 
As they cheered and applauded my last curtain call 
Then the crowd seemed to sway and he faded away 
On this last night of summer before the fall 

(music and lyrics by M. James)