(Verse 1)
In a velvet room with the curtains sewn shut
Dust dances slow where the daylight rots
Teacups cracked with a spiderweb grin
Tiny white gloves with the scarlet stitched in
Music box choking on lullabies
Wind-up hearts with glassy eyes
Footsteps small in the attic crawl
Someone’s living inside the wall
(Pre-Chorus)
Hush now, don’t you cry
Painted smiles never die
Thread and needle, pull you tight
Make you pretty for the night
(Chorus)
Welcome to the dollhouse, darling
Where the quiet ones do the screaming
Porcelain teeth in a sugared grin
We tuck the broken children in
Hold your breath when the lights go dim
Good dolls never fight or sin
Smile sweet underneath the wreath —
Good dolls… good dolls still breathe.
[Whispered]
Soft chest rising, barely seen
Prettiest doll in the in-between
Count to ten, don’t let it show
Good dolls breathe so very slow.
(Verse 2)
Paper skin and a carousel spine
Tick-tock fingers keeping time
Marionette knees that bend too far
Cracked china face with a missing star
Whispers sewn in satin seams
Stuffed with needles instead of dreams
Silver bell on a ribboned throat
Ringing when the shadows float
(Pre-Chorus)
Spin once, spin twice
Sugar and spice and a slice of ice
Velvet coffin, cradle small
Mother says we mustn’t fall
(Chorus)
Welcome to the dollhouse, darling
Where the quiet ones do the screaming
Porcelain teeth in a sugared grin
We tuck the broken children in
Hold your breath when the lights go dim
Good dolls never fight or sin
Smile sweet underneath the wreath —
Good dolls… good dolls still breathe.
(Bridge — hushed, almost tender)
Press your ear against the lace
Hear the hush inside her chest
Tiny lungs of velvet thread
Practicing the almost-dead
Rock her gently, don’t wake the seam
She inhales like a broken dream
Stuff the sob back in her sleeve
Good dolls learn how not to grieve
Count the breaths — one, two, three
Pause too long? Just pull the key
Wind her ribs and smooth her wreath
Good dolls only breathe beneath
[Whisper layer under last line]
Not too loud… not through their teeth…
(Final Chorus)
Welcome to the dollhouse, darling
Now you know what we’ve been keeping
Thread your name into the lace
Trade your pulse for a painted face
Hands in your lap, teeth beneath —
Good dolls never show their teeth
Curtain call — don’t try to leave
Good dolls… still… breathe
(Outro)
Wind it tight and close the lid
Pretty little secret kid
Smile wide — don’t make a sound
The nicest dolls are never found.