Song of the Asylum (Lyrics)

Lyrical rendition of one Psychiatrist’s views on our mental health system. Link to audio version at the beginning.

[Intro]

“If my pictures are displeasing, do remember�"that my subjects have to offer�"No pious, or civilized, or redemptive features.”

[Solo]

[Verse 1]

Hills waking from slumber. 

�"Halls with mission in their plies. 

Great, showy castles, born of zeal,�"�

Forged with dignity, contrived. 

Voices crying “Welfare!”�"and

Starving imbecility…

�"But walls built out of mercy�"

hold no merciful relief!

[Pre-Chorus]

And history’s song is mournful, 

if prescient is the mind!�"�

[Chorus]

Unravel, the stillness

Let clarity, emerge.

Unkindness must not prosper.

Nor haunt, the other’s urge. 

�"If keening, is the past:

“humanity here-vied!”

[Hook]

build, the roads of answer,

�"where dignity can't die!

[Solo]

[Verse 2]

The master of all progress, 

is who measures, all it twines.

�"Who tastes the cures, 

for like-infirmed�"

where fathered, to confine.

Ignoble is the quest�"

Forgotten motive, 

means yet stayed.

Imperfect, see its nature, when

�"The Healing Art displayed!�"�

[Pre-Chorus]

Mean’s ending is not human,

�"when love dies along the way!

[Chorus]

Unravel, the stillness.

Let clarity, emerge.

Unkindness must not prosper.

Nor haunt, the other’s urge. 

�"Where echoes out, the past:

“Humanity should guide!”

[Hook]

build your road of answers

�"where dignity resides!

[Solo]

[Verse 3] 

Can three generations, 

crown one fit to cut their line?

�"No vicious principle, proclaimed.

No harm was here designed.

�"Where broken will, by perfect time�"

Clockwork & Steam alone!

�"But silent rules still govern�"

Where mercy’s voice is gone!

[Pre-Chorus]

The clockwork cures�"save but a husk,

…from which no future grows!

[Chorus]

Unravel, the stillness.

Let clarity, emerge.

Unkindness must not prosper.

Nor haunt, the other’s urge. 

�"To whisper, from their past:

“Humanity survives!”…

[Hook]

Grown children�"build your answers�"

where dignity comes alive!

[Outro]

Lessons, hewn by time.

Of good works, by men.

Always fettered should be: caution�"�

�"To hearts that walk in halls�"

Where love was overdue.

[Outro]

�"No escape from�"

�"Man’s good deeds�"

�"When love is not paid�"

�"At its due.

Author's Note

Three months to write, after 3 years of research. How many direct references and quotes can you recognize?

Audio version here: https://youtu.be/RmMocLsqM3Q?si=SQafZfSRYDIT2wW4