Six by six, from wall to wall
Shutters on the windows, no light at all
Damp on the floor you got damp in the bed
They're trying to get you crazy get you out of your head
They feed you scraps and they feed you lies
To lower your defenses, no compromise
There's nothing you can do, the day can be long
You mind is working overtime, your body's not too strong
Hold on, hold on, hold on,
Hold on, hold on, hold on
They put you in a box so you can't get heard
Let your spirit stay unbroken, may you not be deterred
Hold on, you have gambled with your own life
You faced the night alone
While the builders of the cages
Sleep with bullets, bars and stone
They do not see the road to freedom
That you build with flesh and bone
They take you out the light burns your eyes
To the talking room it's not surprise
Loaded questions from clean white coats
Their eyes are all as hidden as their Hippocratic Oath
They tell you how to behave, behave as their guest
You want to resist them, you do your best
They take you to your limits, they take you beyond
For all that they are doing there's no way to respond
Hold on, hold on
They put you in a box so you can't get heard
Let your spirit stay unbroken, may you not be deterred
Hold on, you have gambled with your own life
You face the night alone
While the builders of the cages
Sleep with bullets, bars and stone
They do not see the road to freedom
That you build with flesh and bone
Though you may disappear, you're not forgotten here
And I will say to you, I will do what I can do
You may disappear, you're not forgotten here
And I will say you you, I will do what I can do
And I will do what I can do
I will do what I can do
Shutters on the windows, no light at all
Damp on the floor you got damp in the bed
They're trying to get you crazy get you out of your head
They feed you scraps and they feed you lies
To lower your defenses, no compromise
There's nothing you can do, the day can be long
You mind is working overtime, your body's not too strong
Hold on, hold on, hold on,
Hold on, hold on, hold on
They put you in a box so you can't get heard
Let your spirit stay unbroken, may you not be deterred
Hold on, you have gambled with your own life
You faced the night alone
While the builders of the cages
Sleep with bullets, bars and stone
They do not see the road to freedom
That you build with flesh and bone
They take you out the light burns your eyes
To the talking room it's not surprise
Loaded questions from clean white coats
Their eyes are all as hidden as their Hippocratic Oath
They tell you how to behave, behave as their guest
You want to resist them, you do your best
They take you to your limits, they take you beyond
For all that they are doing there's no way to respond
Hold on, hold on
They put you in a box so you can't get heard
Let your spirit stay unbroken, may you not be deterred
Hold on, you have gambled with your own life
You face the night alone
While the builders of the cages
Sleep with bullets, bars and stone
They do not see the road to freedom
That you build with flesh and bone
Though you may disappear, you're not forgotten here
And I will say to you, I will do what I can do
You may disappear, you're not forgotten here
And I will say you you, I will do what I can do
And I will do what I can do
I will do what I can do
Lyrics submitted by kevver, edited by lmnsolutions
Wallflower Lyrics as written by Peter Gabriel
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Some have said it was a tribute to Nelson Mandella, but Peter has always stated that it is for every person who is willing to be placed in jail for their beliefs of freedom.
Birdy is mankind, just as Rael is real, and it is-Ra-el.
Mr. Grabirel is not just any writer, he is a genius. He knows too much and he's just doing what he can.
"And I will say to you, "I will do what I can do."
thats what I hear but others could be right as well. I see him as trying to free lab animals.
Very beautiful.
I agree with Otter's take on it - it's about someone ;locked up for their beliefs, treated by "doctors" because their political or social or artistic beliefs prove that they are "sick" and need to be "healed". The prisoner holds on, though, knowing the truth and refusing to be broken down and brainwashed.
Natalie Portman's imprisonment in the film V for Vendetta is a good illustration of the principles of this song, and shows the "freedom" that can be achieved by refusing to be broken, despite being imprisoned.
Birdy was locked up in an asylum and his friend never gave up on him.
That is what the song is about.