Lyrics The Institute Of Mental Health, Burning - Peter Hammill

The 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