Lost Gem: "Epitaph" - King Crimson



"Confusion...
will be my epitaph.
As I crawl...
a cracked and broken path."
~ King Crimson ~


Released in 1969..."In The Court Of The Crimson King"...is still held high upon the proverbial prog-rock pedestal.

And an absolute must own for any classic rock collection.

While the cranium-blowing songs - "Schizoid Man" and "Crimson King" - quickly come to mind when pulling from the album...the track that begs repeated play is..."Epitaph"

"Epitaph" is stunning in its apocalyptic feel.

Ian McDonald's mellotrone especially draws the listener in. And the plaintive underrated vocals from Greg Lake add an amazing sadness.
A masterpiece.

Have you heard this one?


The wall on which the prophets wrote
Is cracking at the seams.
Upon the instruments of death
The sunlight brightly gleams.
When every man is torn apart
With nightmares and with dreams,
Will no one lay the laurel wreath
When silence drowns the screams.

Confusion will be my epitaph.
As I crawl a cracked and broken path
If we make it we can all sit back
and laugh.
But I fear tomorrow I'll be crying,
Yes I fear tomorrow I'll be crying.

Between the iron gates of fate,
The seeds of time were sown,
And watered by the deeds of those
Who know and who are known;
Knowledge is a deadly friend
if no one sets the rules.
The fate of all mankind I see
Is in the hands of fools.

Good stuff!

Casey Chambers
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Comments

Azimuth-Solar said…
I was in high school when this album was released, and it made a deep impression on my psyche. "21st Century Schizoid Man" was a prophetic song which is apparently (and regrettably) becoming reality. And yes, I agree that "Epitaph" is a masterpiece which bears repeat playing. It should be played in every classroom and on every radio and TV station, along with the classic film "All Quiet on the Western Front".
January 1, 2010 at 3:03 AM
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