Devil Drums the Darkened Pane

I was a man with empty hands my future cold and bare Dreams dissolved like shadows cast—I caught the devil's glare A whisper in the midnight wind an offer steeped in flame For wealth and fame I signed in pain —the world would know my name The devil drums the darkened pane his shadow soaked in fire He comes to claim what I have pledged the price of my desire With every tap a soul to reap no prayers could break the chain Beware the sound that chills the night: the devil drums the darkened pane With riches flowing at my feet I caught her shining eyes A beauty born of moonlit silk beneath resplendent skies I thought her love had saved me then my heart was bound ensnared But love that feeds on golden threads is selfish and unfair The whispers slid into my mind the truth a bitter thorn She'd found a lover left my bed and laughed while my heart mourned Her love it was a counterfeit; her touch a mask a game She sold my trust for shining gold; she only loved my name The devil drums the darkened pane his shadow soaked in fire He comes to claim what I have pledged the price of my desire With every tap a soul to reap no prayers could break the chain Beware the sound that chills the night: the devil drums the darkened pane The clock struck twelve the night grew still a shadow crossed my door The devil came to take my soul as promised long before But in his eyes I saw his greed temptation sharp and cruel I said "There's one whose cunning and deceipt could fill your hellish pool" I found her wrapped in silken sheets her lover turned to flee I smiled and said "The price is paid the devil's come for thee" Her cries fell silent as I spoke of deals and deeds undone I left her in her gilded cage—she'll see what she has won The drumming came a steady beat it thundered through the air His shadow stretched across her room she froze beneath his stare Her screams were swallowed by the dark no mercy would he feign The devil took what I had pledged: her soul her darkened pane The devil drums the darkened pane his shadow soaked in fire He comes to claim what I have pledged the price of my desire With every tap a soul to reap no prayers could break the chain The devil taps her final song—he drums her darkened pane I walked away her voice a ghost the deal was struck and clear The drumming ceased the night grew still no sound was left to hear For those who trade their souls for gold beware the chilling stain And pray you never hear him drum upon your darkened pane