Lizard
King Crimson · Lizard [1970]
His kiosk and his black worm seed
Courtship solely of his word
With Eden guaranteed.
For now Prince Rupert's tears of glass
Make saffron sabbath eyelids bleed
Scar the sacred tablet of wax
On which the Lizards feed.
Wake your reason's hollow vote
Wear your blizzard season coat
Burn a bridge and burn a boat
Stake a Lizard by the throat.
Go Polonius or kneel
The reapers name their harvest dawn
All your tarnished devil's spoons
Will rust beneath our corn.
Now bears Prince Rupert's garden roam
Across his rain tree shaded lawn
Lizard bones become the clay-
And there a Swan is born
Wake your reasons' hollow vote
Wear your blizzard season coat
Burn a bridge and burn a boat
Stake a Lizard by the throat.
Gone soon Piepowder's moss-weed court
Round which upholstered Lizards sold
Visions to their leaden flock
Of rainbows' ends and gold.
Now tales Prince Rupert's peacock brings
Of walls and trumpets thousand fold
Prophets chained for burning masks
And reels of dreams unrolled . . .
Lizard - King Crimson
Released in 1970 on the album Lizard, this track stands as a pivotal moment in the progressive rock canon, showcasing King Crimson's signature blend of jazz fusion and complex instrumental interplay. The recording features the band's renowned lineup, including Robert Fripp on guitar and Michael Giles on drums, delivering a composition that defies conventional song structures. Its intricate harmonies and driving rhythms established a template for the genre's evolution during the early 1970s, influencing countless subsequent artists who sought to push the boundaries of rock music. The song remains a definitive example of the band's ability to merge technical proficiency with atmospheric depth, cementing its status as an essential listening piece for fans of progressive rock and jazz fusion.