Uploaded December 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
If you'd like to donate to Amnesty International on behalf of this stream, check out our fundraiser: gofund.me/69a17581
The Critical Concert is a series that showcases musicians in the Critical Role fan community - asking them to create music a little outside of their comfort zone and then chat about their stories with Cantata founder Will Crosswait. This year, we're celebrating the Exandrian holidays - so grab a warm cup of tea and get a fire going as we chat with new and returning artists from last year's concert series.
Day I features:
Merle Harbron (@MerleHarbron)
Benjamin Leds (@BenZLeds)
Dani Gage (@daniyogani)
Kris Kirk (@ComposerKirk)
Matt Denkins (@MattDenkins)
Will Crosswait (@WillCrosswait)
Special thanks to
Aabria Iyengar (@quiddie)
Megami (@sama_megami)
Danita Gilbert (@voiceofkeyfish)
Scott Maitland (@ScottDMaitland)
MSH
Dani Gage (@daniyogani)
Ben Leds (@BenZLeds)
Hunter Rogerson (@rogersonmusic)
If you'd like to donate to Amnesty International on behalf of this stream, check out our fundraiser: gofund.me/69a17581
The Critical Concert is a series that showcases musicians in the Critical Role fan community - asking them to create music a little outside of their comfort zone and then chat about their stories with Cantata founder Will Crosswait. This year, we're celebrating the Exandrian holidays - so grab a warm cup of tea and get a fire going as we chat with new and returning artists from last year's concert series.
Day I features:
Merle Harbron (@MerleHarbron)
Benjamin Leds (@BenZLeds)
Dani Gage (@daniyogani)
Kris Kirk (@ComposerKirk)
Matt Denkins (@MattDenkins)
Will Crosswait (@WillCrosswait)
Special thanks to
Aabria Iyengar (@quiddie)
Megami (@sama_megami)
Danita Gilbert (@voiceofkeyfish)
Scott Maitland (@ScottDMaitland)
MSH
Dani Gage (@daniyogani)
Ben Leds (@BenZLeds)
Hunter Rogerson (@rogersonmusic)
![[Spoilers C2E22] I Wear the Mask (Feat. Critical Bard and Ginny Di)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_qUieqpso3Y/mqdefault.jpg "[Spoilers C2E22] I Wear the Mask (Feat. Critical Bard and Ginny Di)
…in which an early Mighty Nein allow their fears, shame, and pain to convince themselves no one could accept them as they truly are. If only they could know that they are not alone. If only they could discover the freedom of secure vulnerability among close friends. Perhaps it is more possible than you think.
If you enjoyed this song, please consider making a donation to the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (https://castla.nationbuilder.com/donate), a charity fighting to end slavery and human trafficking in Los Angeles County.
We had the absolute pleasure to work with many talented Critters on this song:
Fjord performed by Critical Bard (@CriticalBard, https://www.patreon.com/criticalbard)
Nott performed by Rochelle Ibarra (@roroibarra, roro_ibarra on Instagram)
Jester performed by Ginny Di (@itsginnydi, https://www.patreon.com/ginnydi)
Caleb, Lyrics, and Music by Meany Vizzini (@MeanyVizzini)
Nott the Brave mask pendant and photo by Krystallite (@Beelziboo)
Audio Mixing by Ever Dreams Creative (https://linktr.ee/everdreamscreative)
Arrangement, Production, and Mastering by Will Crosswait (@WillCrosswait, willxwait on Instagram)
You can download this song for free on our site here: http://www.willcrosswait.com/cpan
Inspired by the cast and crew of Critical Role, who find a way to bring something so genuine through so many layers of masks. Thank you.
Lyrics:
[Fjord]
Tough guys
Grinning through their snake eyes
Wanting to be sure I
Know I’m not welcome here
Follow
Work to blend into the shadows
Emulate the ones who don’t show
The extent of their fear
[Nott]
Crippled by the fetters of a foreign race
Shackled by the terror of a horrid face
Summed up as a symbol of malignancy
The source and aim of bigotry
The Nott-becoming part of me
Sheltered by the darkness sneaking out of sight
Haunted by reflections of the dawning light
Comfort finding only when I’m spirited
Encouraged by escape to move ahead
[Fjord and Nott]
So hide it away
Don’t show your weakness
You cannot stay
If you are honest
Sure, they’ll pretend to be your friend
Until they find your secret and
They figure out exactly where to strike
So I wear a mask
Hidden in plain view
What you don’t ask
Ain’t gonna hurt you
So I wear the mask (I wear the mask)
Of who I’d rather be
[Jester]
Lonely
I am always feeling lonely
Oh, I have to be the only one
Who’s stuck in this hell
Happy
I just want them to be happy
Keep pretending and they won’t see
The sadness that you hide so well
[Jester, Fjord, Nott]
Hide it away
Don’t show your weakness
No one will stay
If you are honest
Oh sure, they’ll pretend to be your friend
Until they see your sadness and
They figure out it isn’t worth their time
So I wear a mask
Hidden in plain view
What you don’t ask
Ain’t gonna hurt you
So I wear the mask (I wear the mask)
Of what you want to believe
Of who I’d rather be
[Caleb]
Heckled by the promise of a brighter past
Ruined by the knowledge singeing it to ash
Caught up in a wave of nationality
Of losing my humanity
The guillotine was pulled by me
Set on a track
Can’t take it back
One thing defining my life as it’s starting to crack
Where to begin?
Hatin within
Too much to swallow, I’m hollow and wallowing in all my sin
Finding my mind is gone crawlin
So spineless and bawlin
And joinin the Nein is appallin,
Pretendin it’s fine, oh the gall when
My kin who have fallen are callin my name
[Caleb, Fjord, Nott, Jester]
Hide it away
Don’t show your weakness
No one can stay
Let’s just be honest
Oh ja, you’ll pretend to be their friend
Until they find your story and
They figure out exactly who you are
So I wear a mask
Hidden in plain view
What they don’t ask
Ain’t gonna hurt you
Now I wear the mask (I wear the mask)
Of what you want to believe
Of who I’d rather be
Of what I think about me")
