Verse 1
When the bell rings first—
don’t answer sweet.

Don’t follow
the lanterns
that shine too neat.

Don’t trust a road
with a smiling mouth,

or a laughing sign
pointing farther south.

Verse 2
If the welcome comes quick—
it was waiting wrong.

If the gate swings wide,
don’t stay there long.

If the music knows you
before you speak,

then it’s not your name
that the bright things seek.

Chorus
When the bell rings first,
stand still.

When the bell rings first,
don’t trade your will.

Let the fair cry loud,
and the false light burst—

no good road hurries
when the bell rings first.

Verse 3
There are roads that mend,
and roads that bite—

roads that borrow your fear
for a little more light.

And a grin in the trees
where the red coats pass

can count your want
through a pane of glass.

Chorus
When the bell rings first,
stand still.

When the bell rings first,
don’t trade your will.

Let the fair cry loud,
and the false light burst—

no good road hurries
when the bell rings first.

Ending
No good road begs.
No good road flatters.
No good road
gets there first.