You appeared upon the white shore
On a dark and moonless eve
I led you through the stone gate
Torches spitting in the breeze

All around our palace glistened
Splashed with waves up from the sea
But you shone bright as a thousand suns
In your gown of ivory

One thing, I asked of you my love
As I combed your white-gold hair
Only stay your hand from the red door
The red door beneath the stairs

The red door under the stairs
The red door 'neath the stairs
Stay your hand from that old black lock
There's nothing to see in there

Why do you stand so many hours
Staring out across the sea?
Why do you slip out past the black drapes
When I pretend that I'm asleep?

And even in the bright sun
As we walk the bone-white beach
You put your ear to the whispering shells
And turned away from me

Red in your dress's hem tonight
A red flash in your eye
Why the tremor in your soft hands
When I pull you to my side?

The red door and what's inside
The red door and all it hides
Stare away across the ocean waves
But I know what you've seen tonight