---

She was so beautiful

Her memory still haunts me

She was so innocent

I will never again be free

I still see her lovely face

I still see the gentle curve of her hips

I still feel the touch of her soft, milk-white skin

Every time again when there's blood on my lips

Dusk has arrived yet another time

I awake and leave my coffin

In the dark I hear an old bell chime

Sip from a chalice drained from a virgin

Countless centuries ago I burnt the rose

But it has forever stayed with me

Symbol of happiness to which I came so close

Alas, I know I never ever will be free

Was it a gift of pure love, or only a whim?

It was a present of a treacherous kind

Transformed into a token of sin

Nevermore to fade from my tortured mind

The rose still fills the castle's dark wing

Fear, respect and wealth have been my toll

But its vague images still are disturbing

Is some spark of light still hidden in my soul?

I have served Him very long and very well

But once there must have been another path

Since then I've gone too far on the road to Hell

To be able to stray from the way of wrath

Even if I could I would still not betray

Though thus I will never enjoy peace of mind

But I know I am destined to go this way

And on the opposite path only lies I'd find

But still the rose keeps haunting me

I am sure it'll never ever go away

I must carry its burden for all eternity

Most horrible when asleep during the day