Author's Note: Poor Ryou. While his body's controlled by an evil spirit, his own soul looks on, powerless and protesting. Or does it? . . . The "dye my jacket red" verse is lifted nearly verbatim (just subbing "jacket" for "petticoats") from the original folksong. I don't think, though, that Katy Cruel dyed things red in the same way Bakura/Ryou might… o.O;

Suggestions for improving scansion/making this more in-character are most welcome!

Disclaimer: Ne'er shall the characters of Yu-Gi-Oh! be mine; they are forever Kazuki Takahashi's. "Katy Cruel" is an American folksong; various versions of the words can be found in the Digital Tradition (a folk lyrics database) at .org. It's beautifully sung by Herdman, Hills, and Mangsen on their album "Voices."

~Ryou Cruel~

When I first came to town they thought me shy, but cool;

Now they've changed their tune-they call me Ryou Cruel.

Oh little lallie day, oh the little lee oh day.

When I first came to town, my friends stopped by in plenty;

Now they've changed their tune-the golden ones condemn me.

Oh little lallie day, oh the little lee oh day.

*Chorus:*

Oh that I was who I would be

(then would he be what he is not).

A Ring forever is with me,

Throw it away I cannot-

Oh little lallie day, oh the little lee oh day.

Through Domino at night,

Through Shadow Realm and fire,

Across the depths I'll run

Till I come to my heart's desire.

Oh little lallie day, oh the little lee oh day.

I know who I am

And I know what's going with me,

I know who I love

But Ra knows if he'll spare me . . .

Oh little lallie day, oh the little lee oh day.

I'll dye my jacket red

And face it with the yellow,

Then I'll tell all the lads

My own heart I will follow.

Oh little lallie day, oh the little lee oh day.

You'll see, my thieving one,

For you I'll ne'er be sorry:

The heart of all my joy

and the heart of all my worry . . .

Oh little lallie day, oh the little lee oh day.

. . . Oh that I was who I would be,

Then would he be what he is not.

Our Ring holds a heartbeat,

Throw it away I will not . . .