peter hammill
institute of mental health, burning
It was the first day of July, No wind breathed in the sky When a pin-striped suit Saw that the Institute of Mental Health was burning  He stood upon the corner Where the sun was warmer... Looking across the street, He moved the shackles on his feet As the Institute was burning  Flames were roaring, singing like a thunderstorm, Smoke was pouring straight up to the sky, Windows smashing, Gothic doors and lintels fall, Timbers crashing and we both know why.  Nobody else came by to stare, You see, they didn't really care Can't call the fire brigade None of them had been paid And so the Institute was burning  Throughout the city, people say it isn't pretty, Everyone agrees, and everyone feels glad, Doctored brains celebrate and everyone waves their chains... It's a pity they're all mad  The Institute of Mental Health Spontaneously killed itself Ashes to ashes And dust to dust My chains began to rust As the Institute was burning, burning, burning