[Intro]
(Banjo begins with a rapid, dissonant, and unsettling picking pattern, setting an ominous tone. Sparse, deep percussion enters subtly. The trio hums a low, dissonant chord that resolves into a tense silence before the verse.)
[Verse 1]
(Singer 1 - Deep, resonant voice)
The fire's low, the embers glow
On this cold Christmas Eve
The children sleep, dreams soft and deep
But something won't let *me* leave
The window pane reflects the flame
And frost upon the glass
But out there in the drifting white
A shadow starts to pass...
[Chorus]
(Trio - Harmonies building tension, Singer 3 - Squeaky Falsetto on "Hear him creep")
Oh, the Shadow on the Snow!
Where the frozen rivers flow!
He don't rest, he don't sleep!
Through the drifts so dark and deep!
Hear him creep! Hear him creep!
While the weary world's asleep!
[Verse 2]
(Singer 2 - Mid-range, urgent voice)
Old man Jenkins swore he saw
A shape behind the pine
Just yesterday, at break of day
A figure tall and fine
But fine turned grim, the light grew dim
As footsteps trailed his path
He ran inside, his eyes were wide
With fear of winter's wrath...
[Chorus]
(Trio - More intense harmonies, Banjo becomes frantic)
Oh, the Shadow on the Snow!
Where the frozen rivers flow!
He don't rest, he don't sleep!
Through the drifts so dark and deep!
Hear him creep! Hear him creep!
While the weary world's asleep!
[Bridge]
(Singer 3 - Squeaky Falsetto, almost whispering at first, then rising in panic)
He taps the glass... (tap-tap-tap sound effect mimicked by banjo)
A sound so cold... (tap-tap-tap)
No footprints left behind! (tap-tap-tap)
He watches young and watches old... (tap-tap-tap)
You feel him on your mind! (tap-tap-tap grows louder)
He knows your name! He knows your sin!
Before the morning chime...!
He's coming in! He's coming in!
Before the morning chime!
[Verse 3]
(Singer 1 - Deep voice, filled with dread)
The wind it howls a mournful sound
Around the bolted door
The latch feels thin, the night wears thin
Like never felt before
That shape is back, a solid black
Against the moon's pale light
It stands so still upon the hill
And watches through the night...
[Chorus]
(Trio - Full intensity, voices straining, Banjo wild and discordant)
Oh, the Shadow on the Snow!
Where the frozen rivers flow!
He don't rest, he don't sleep!
Through the drifts so dark and deep!
Hear him creep! Hear him creep!
While the weary world's asleep!
[Outro]
(Singer 3 - Falsetto, fading)
Hear him creep... (Singer 2: Whispered) ...on the snow...
(Singer 1: Low groan) ...won't let go...
(Trio hums the dissonant chord from the intro, slowly fading. Banjo slows to a single, repeating, ominous plucked note. Percussion fades. Ends with the final banjo note hanging in silence.)
