[Verse 1]
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

[Chorus]
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

[Verse 2]
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?

[Chorus]
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