A Whiter Shade of Pale

We tripped the light Fandango
And turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kind of seasick
But the crowd called out for more
The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray
So it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale
She said, «There is no reason
And the truth is plain to see»
But I wandered through my playin' cards
And would not let her be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might have just as well have been closed
So it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale
She said, «I'm here on a shore leave;
Though we were miles at sea»
I pointed out this detail
And forced her to agree
Saying, «You must be the mermaid
Who took King Neptune for a ride»
And she smiled at me so sweetly
That my anger straightway died
And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale