Black as the Devil Painteth Lyrics

An artist is what is call'd the self the brush holdeth -
Though hath it then caringly caress'd the Canvas of tomorrow?
O Canvas! for thee I hold my tool - still pa*sionless it quivereth
Minding not that my hands are more than apt;
My Muse,

Where is hidden
The blue-hued arch'neath the High Heaven's rich emblazonry
The flowery meadow, embrac'd by the horizon -
snowflaked and aery mountains,
In which the barebreasted maidens dance to the lay o'midsummer,
Aloft the distant lazy flapping of the doves in vaingfore.

O Canvas! wherefore canst thou these images not allow? -
I deem a projection of my Theatre they sould be! -
Then, I challenge thee the wisdom of naysaying the yearns o'mine -
What is this unforeseen that not enjoyneth light
shades to be skillfully painted?

The raven sky prey'd on by the snowfill'd, blustery clouds
Unadorned the meadow - hunger driveth the wolf out of the wood,
The maidens chained and whipped within a dreary dungeon -
And, fo! 'twixt the wizen roses a mossy grave;
"The Devil is as Black as He Painteth" -
O Canvas! wherefore?...

Theatre of Tragedy - Velvet Darkness They Fear

Aug 1997

1. Velvet Darkness They Fear
2. Fair and 'Guiling Copesmate Death
3. Bring Forth ye Shadow
4. Seraphic Deviltry
5. And When He Falleth
6. Der Tanz der Schatten
7. Black as the Devil Painteth
8. On Whom the Moon Doth Shine
9. The Masquerader and Phoenix