Starseer

[bnewman]

This song strands its protagonist as the cyborg operator of an observatory in the Kuiper Belt.  Can you identify (before you click) the classic poem that inspired it?

lyrics and music by Benjamin Newman

listen to this song

/ Am - F G / / / F G F-G Am ... /

 

Out in the dark at the edge of the system,

Drifting along where the comets spin cold,

One frozen planetoid, one lonely victim;

Try to remember the lies you were told...

"If you wish on a star you shall never grow old..."

 

Didn't they tell you your eye could see beauty?

Didn't they tell you your vision was keen?

Didn't they say that this watch was your duty?

"The sky and the seer, and nothing between..."

Nothing but mirror and mindless machine...

 

/ Am G Am - / F G Am - / F Em G E / F G F-G Am ... /

 

Still you have much to believe:

Your vision was never so bright!

Galaxies dance in the web that you weave!

Slaved to the mirror, alone in the night...

 

How long has it been, what are years to the darkness?

Back home on Earth they've forgotten your ghost!

Become what they built, more machine now than artist;

"Keep watching that mirror, and stick by your post!"

 

Tell them there's nothing to see!

If they can tell lies why can't you?

Will you spin starlight or will you be free?

"See or you'll die!"  Well, what if it's not true?

 

Claw at the cords 'til your vision unravels;

Crawl towards the lifepod as if you would live.

Drifting in dream to the end of your travels;

You've given your life, how much more must you give?

 

How could they reckon your worth?

A shooting star carries no shame!

Is blindness a blessing as you fall to Earth,

With Starseer all that remains of your name?