Challenging a Queen

[PERSEPHONE]
You're lost, little girl
You shouldn't have come here
And I sure ain't in the mood to make new friends

Go home, little girl
The shadow's drawing near
And you all alone, we both know how this ends

Let's see how far she bends!
We all know how it ends

[GRACE]
Thanks for the welcome, it's my first time here
You've made your feelings for me crystal clear
You play your show, I'll just go grab a beer
Didn't come here to quarrel with you

Love what you've done here, this place comes up well
You've nailed the theme it really feels like hell
Guess you're not looking for new clientele?
Just as well, that's a five-star review

Let's try the easy way
Hear what I have to say

[PERSEPHONE]
They get younger every year
Little big shots that drift through here
Think they're bringing something new through the door
And you've heard it a thousand times before!
Honey, I've heard it a thousand times before!
Honey, I've heard it a thousand times!

[GRACE]
Your hosting skills could use a bit more pluck
About as subtle as a garbage truck
Thanks all for coming but your next guest sucks
Lacks something, don't you think?

[PERSEPHONE & SPIRITS]
Is there nothing she can't do?
She's a half-assed stand up comic too!
On the lookout for some cheap points to score
Oh honey, we've heard it
(A thousand times before!) A thousand times before!
(Oh honey, we've heard it) Oh honey, we've heard it
(A thousand times before!) A thousand times!

[GRACE]
Okay, she's seen it all and she's not sold
But there's, what, a hundred people here all told
Anybody else here who's a billion years old?
Does she speak for you?

[PERSEPHONE]
Don't you have any idea what you're dealing with, child?
Surprise, surprise! Coins on your eyes!
Give them to the ferryman
Get it in your little head
You're spitting at the Queen of the Dead

[GRACE]
You’re not my queen, P, I’m alive
You got a real life muse in this basement dive
You could use a boost, should I play a gig?
Hey, word of mouth works, P, it’ll be big!
[crowd cheers]

[PERSEPHONE & GRACE]
They get dumber every year
I'm a flower that you're picking, not a stick in the ground!
Little big shots
But come hither and consider that we shiver while you whither as you dither around!
No idea what they're all headed for
Uh oh! Uh oh!

[PERSEPHONE & CROWD]
A black river, bleached bones along the shore!
(Let's end this pointless little sham)
Let's show her something she's never seen before!
(You really want to see who I am)

[GRACE]
Hm? A choir of the dead, that's it? Oh dear
Old dogs, old tricks, ghosts appear
I got a real live choir right here
Wanna hear?

[CROWD]
(vocalizes)

[GRACE]
Now that's what I call a show!
Every single one of them a star
Hey! Maybe it's you who doesn't know who they are?
Who they are!

[GRACE & PERSEPHONE]
Every night they come in here
Dance and stamp your feet
Spend their money on your beer
As your skin rots off in sheets
Are they even in the frame?
You'll be back at my door
Do you know a single name?
Deep below the floor!

[GRACE]
They just come here to forget how it ends!

You got a bed in that office? Need a lie down?
Crawl into your coffin, deep underground
What's got into you? They're hating your thing
Old lady winter, we want a new spring

[GRACE & CROWD]
Say my name! (Grace!)
Say my name! (Grace!)
Say my name! (Grace!)

It's the same schtick every year
All that blame and bitterness and fear
You forgot what they're crazy, hungry for
Something they haven't seen
(A thousand times before!) A thousand times before!
(Someone new!) Someone they haven't seen
(A thousand times before!) A thousand times before!