B F# E
B F# E F#
[Verse 1]
B F# E B F#
Cherise was brushing her long hair gently down
F# B F# E E B F#
It was the afternoon of carnival; As she brushes it gently down,
B F# E B F#
Rubin was strumming his painted mandolin.
F# B F# E B F# E
It was inlaid with a pretty face in jade; Played the carnival parade.
[Verse 2]
B F# E B F#
Cherise was dressing as Pirouette in white
F# B F# E E B F#
When a fatal vision gripped her tight; Cherise beware tonight.
B F# E B F#
Rubin, Rubin tell me truly true.
F# B F# E B F# E
I feel afraid and I don't know why I do. I there another girl for you?
[Chorus 1]
C#m F# B
If you could see in my heart, you would know it's true.
B C#m B C#m B A Ab
There's none Cherise except for you, except for you.
C#m B F# B B F# E
I'd swear to it on my very soul, if I lie may I fall down cold.
[Bridge]
E E E E
E E E E F#
[Verse 3]
B F# E B F#
When Rubin played on his painted mandolin
F# B F# E E B F#
The breeze would pause to listen in; before going its way again.
B F# E B F#
Masquerade began when nightfall finally woke,
F# B F# E B F# E
Like waves against the bandstand dancers broke; to the painted mandolin.
[Chorus 2]
C#m F# B
Looking out at the crowd, who is standing there?
B C#m B C#m B A Ab
Sweet Ruby Claire at Rubin stared, at Rubin stared.
C#m B F# B B F# E
She was dressed as Pirouette in red and her hair hung gently down.
[Verse 4]
B F# E B F#
The crowd pressed round, Ruby stood as though alone.
F# B F# E E B F#
Rubin's song took on a different tone, and he played it just for her.
B F# E B F#
The song he played was the carnival parade,
F# B F# E B F# E
Each note cut a thread of Cherise's fate, it cut through like a blade.
[Verse 5]
B F# E B F#
Rubin was playing his painted mandolin,
F# B F# E E B F#
When Ruby froze and turned to stone, for the strings played all alone.
B F# E B F#
The voice of Cherise from the face of the mandolin,
F# B F# E B F# E
Singing Rubin Rubin tell me true, for I have no one but you.
[Chorus 3]
C#m F# B
If you could see in my heart, you would know it's true.
B C#m B C#m B A Ab
There's none Cherise except for you, except for you.
C#m B F# B B F# E
I'd swear to it on my very soul, if I lie may I fall down cold.
[Verse 6]
B F# E B F#
The truth of love an unsung song must tell.
F# B F# E E B F#
The course of love must follow blind; without a look behind.
B F# E B F#
Rubin walked the streets of New Orleans till dawn,
F# B F# E B F# E
Cherise so lightly in his arms, and her hair hung gently down.
