2112

I lie awake, staring out at the bleakness of Megadon. City and sky become one, merging|into a single plane, a vast sea of unbroken grey. The Twin Moons, just two pale orbs as|they trace their way across the steely sky. I used to think I had a pretty good life here,|just plugging into my machine for the day, then watching Templevision or reading a Temple|Paper in the evening.||'My friend Jon always said it was nicer here than under the atmospheric domes of the Outer|Planets. We have had peace since 2062, when the surviving planets were banded together under|the Red Star of the Solar Federation. The less fortunate gave us a few new moons.|I believed what I was told. I thought it was a good life, I thought I was happy. Then I found|something that changed it all...'||[I. Overture]||And the meek shall inherit the earth...||[II. Temples of Syrinx]||...'The massive grey walls of the Temples rise from the heart of every Federation city. I|have always been awed by them, to think that every single facet of every life is regulated|and directed from within! Our books, our music, our work and play are all looked after by|the benevolent wisdom of the priests...'||We've taken care of everything|The words you read, the songs you sing|The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes|It's one for all and all for one|We work together, common sons|Never need to wonder how or why||We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx|Our great computers fill the hallowed halls|We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx|All the gifts of life are held within our walls||Look around at this world we've made|Equality our stock in trade|Come and join the Brotherhood of Man|Oh, what a nice, contented world|Let the banners be unfurled|Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand||We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx|Our great computers fill the hallowed halls|We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx|All the gifts of life are held within our walls||[III. Discovery]||'...Behind my beloved waterfall, in the little room that was hidden beneath the cave, I|found it. I brushed away the dust of the years, and picked it up, holding it reverently in|my hands. I had no idea what it might be, but it was beautiful...'||'...I learned to lay my fingers across the wires, and to turn the keys to make them sound|differently. As I struck the wires with my other hand, I produced my first harmonious sounds|and soon my own music! How different it could be from the music of the Temples! I can't wait|to tell the priests about it!...'||What can this strange device be?|When I touch it, it gives forth a sound|It's got wires that vibrate and give music|What can this thing be that I found?||See how it sings like a sad heart|And joyously screams out its pain|Sounds that build high like a mountain|Or notes that fall gently like rain||I can't wait to share this new wonder|The people will all see its light|Let them all make their own music|The Priests praise my name on this night||[IV. Presentation]||'...In the sudden silence as I finished playing, I looked up to a circle of grim,|expressionless faces. Father Brown rose to his feet, and his somnolent voice echoed|throughout the silent Temple Hall...'||'...Instead of the grateful joy that I expected, they were words of quiet rejection!|Instead of praise, sullen dismissal. I watched in shock and horror as Father Brown ground|my precious instrument to splinters beneath his feet...'||I know it's most unusual|To come before you so|But I've found an ancient miracle|I thought that you should know|Listen to my music|And hear what it can do|There's something here as strong as life|I know that it will reach you||Yes, we know, it's nothing new|It's just a waste of time|We have no need for ancient ways|The world is doing fine|Another toy that helped destroy|The elder race of man|Forget about your silly whim|It doesn't fit the plan||I can't believe you're saying|These things just can't be true|Our world could use this beauty|Just think what we might do|Listen to my music|And hear what it can do|There's something here as strong as life|I know that it will reach you||Don't annoy us further!|We have our work to do|Just think about the average|What use have they for you?|Another toy that helped destroy|The elder race of man|Forget about your silly whim|It doesn't fit the Plan!||[V. Oracle: The Dream]||'...I guess it was a dream, but even now it all seems so vivid to me. Clearly yet I see|the beckoning hand of the oracle as he stood at the summit of the staircase...'||'...I see still the incredible beauty of the sculptured cities and the pure spirit of man|revealed in the lives and works of this world. I was overwhelmed by both wonder and|understanding as I saw a completely different way to life, a way that had been crushed|by the Federation long ago. I saw now how meaningless life had become with the loss of|all these things...'||I wandered home through the silent streets|And fell into a fitful sleep|Escape to realms beyond the night|Dream can't you show me the light?||I stand atop a spiral stair|An oracle confronts me there|He leads me on light years away|Through astral nights, galactic days|I see the works of gifted hands|That grace this strange and wondrous land|I see the hand of man arise|With hungry mind and open eyes||They left the planet long ago|The elder race still learn and grow|Their power grows with purpose strong|To claim the home where they belong|Home to tear the Temples down...|Home to change!||[VI. Soliloquy]||'...I have not left this cave for days now, it has become my last refuge in my total|despair. I have only the music of the waterfall to comfort me now. I can no longer live|under the control of the Federation, but there is no other place to go. My last hope is|that with my death I may pass into the world of my dream, and know peace at last.'||The sleep is still in my eyes|The dream is still in my head|I heave a sigh and sadly smile|And lie a while in bed|I wish that it might come to pass|Not fade like all my dreams...||Just think of what my life might be|In a world like I have seen!|I don't think I can carry on|Carry on this cold and empty life||My spirits are low in the depths of despair|My lifeblood...|...Spills over...||[VII. The Grand Finale]||Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation|Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation|Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation|We have assumed control|We have assumed control|We have assumed control|