The Raven [SSC3 Poetry Challenge]

Extended Intro: [Dark, atmospheric synths with ambient noise, distant thunder, and the sound of gentle tapping] Verse 1: [In a haunting, almost whispered voice with reverb and echo] Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore - While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. "'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door - Only this and nothing more. [Sound Effect: Soft, eerie tapping sound, followed by a creaking door] Verse 2: Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore; Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he; But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door - Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door - Perched, and sat, and nothing more. [Sound Effect: Fluttering wings and a low, ominous hum] Chorus: [In a more intense, layered vocal style with echoes] Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore, "Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven, Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore - Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!" Quoth the Raven "Nevermore." Melodic Interlude: [A dark guitar riff with heavy reverb, layered with ambient synths and the sound of wind blowing] Verse 3: And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming, And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted - nevermore! [Sound Effect: A deep, resonant bell toll, followed by the distant call of a raven] Extended Outro: [Ambient synths fading out with the sound of the wind and distant thunder, ending with a final, eerie echo of "Nevermore"] [End] Verse 3: And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming, And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted - nevermore! [Sound Effect: A deep, resonant bell toll, followed by the distant call of a raven] Extended Outro: [Ambient synths fading out with the sound of the wind and distant thunder, ending with a final, eerie echo of "Nevermore"] [End]