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The Endless Enigma Part One Lyrics
Why do you stare
Do you think that I care?
You've been misled
By the thoughts in your head
Your words waste and decay
Nothing you say
Reaches my ears anyway
You never spoke a word of truth
Why do you think
I believe what you said
Few of your words
Ever enter my head
I'm tired of hypocrite freaks
Their tongues in their cheeks
Turning their eyes as they speak
They make me sick and tired
Are you confused
To the point in your mind
Though you're blind
Can't you see you're wrong
Won't you refuse
To be used
Even though you may know
I can see you're wrong
Please, please, please open their eyes
Please, please, please don't give me lies
I've ruled all of the earth
Witnessed my birth
Cried at the sight of a man
And still I don't know who I am
I've seen paupers as kings
Puppets on strings
Dance for the children who stare
You must have seen them everywhere
Do you think that I care?
You've been misled
By the thoughts in your head
Nothing you say
Reaches my ears anyway
You never spoke a word of truth
I believe what you said
Few of your words
Ever enter my head
Their tongues in their cheeks
Turning their eyes as they speak
They make me sick and tired
To the point in your mind
Though you're blind
Can't you see you're wrong
Won't you refuse
To be used
Even though you may know
I can see you're wrong
Please, please, please open their eyes
Please, please, please don't give me lies
Witnessed my birth
Cried at the sight of a man
And still I don't know who I am
Puppets on strings
Dance for the children who stare
You must have seen them everywhere
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The general consensus at the time was that the lyrics were directed at the Music Journalists. At the time ELP were hated by the music press and were given a rough ride (like a lot of Prog Rock) but were massively successful. This song was Greg Lake's response. Over 40 years later, the song is still bloody great which just goes to prove that, unlike music-journo's, great music lives for ever!
This is a very good beginning the album.
I absolutely love this song, can't believe there aren't more comments! As for your ? marked lyrics... the first one is "I'm tired of hypocrite freaks" and the second I'm pretty sure is "I've ruled all of the earth". They certainly make more sense anyway!
I think the entire song is a critique of organized religion particularly Christianity. when church bells are played near end of part 2 that convinced me. later in career Lake releases I Believe in Father Christmas as a satire of Christmas. I don't know if he ever spoke on record of his beliefs or non beliefs.