The Vigil
Blue Oyster Cult · Mirrors
Many thousand years ago
I saw the silent stranger stranger
Walk the earth alone
Twenty seven faces faces
With their eyes turned to the sky
IÂ’ve got a camera camera
And an air-tight alibi
I know theyÂ’re out there
We see them coming
Faster than the speed of light
They greet us in the dead of night
Somewhere
Someday someone
TheyÂ’ll be light and sound
TheyÂ’ll alight on the ground on which we stand
Somewhere
Someday someone
Will help us to survive
TheyÂ’re gonna show us hell and bring us back alive
Well IÂ’m no poet
But I canÂ’t be fooled
The lies donÂ’t count
The whispers do
I hear the whispers on the wind
They say the earth has fallen due
We run in circles
Our days are numbered
Every night I look away
To the heavens and I pray
Come to us
Come to us
Come to us
Come to us
Our lights are dim
Our roads are crumbling down
And we donÂ’t know what to do
WeÂ’re sick and tired and dying to meet you meet you
Cause we bit off more than we can chew
The Vigil
Blue Oyster Cult's "The Vigil" stands as a defining track on their 1980 album Mirrors, blending the band's signature hard rock sound with theatrical theatricality. Released during a period where the group expanded its musical palette beyond its earlier new wave and glam metal roots, the song features the iconic vocals of Rick Rude and showcases the band's ability to craft dramatic narratives. As part of a discography known for its high-energy performances and distinctive production, this recording exemplifies the late 1970s and early 1980s rock aesthetic that would later influence countless artists. The track remains a staple of the band's live repertoire and has been featured in various media, cementing its place in the catalog of cult classics.