Epitaph (Including March For No Reason And Tomorrow) Lyrics
King Crimson
Lyrics
The wall on which the prophets wrote
Is cracking at the seams.
Upon the instruments if death
The sunlight brightly gleams.
When every man is torn apart
With nightmares and with dreams,
Will no one lay the laurel wreath
As silence drowns the screams.
Between the iron gates of fate,
The seeds of time were sown,
And watered by the deeds of those
Who know and who are known;
Knowledge is a deadly friend
When no one sets the rules.
The fate of all mankind I see
Is in the hands of fools.
Confusion will be my epitaph.
As I crawl a cracked and broken path
If we make it we can all sit back
and laugh.
But I fear tomorrow I'll be crying,
Yes I fear tomorrow I'll be crying.
Song & Lyrics Facts
King Crimson's "Epitaph" is a progressive rock classic, released in 1969 on the album In The Court of the Crimson King. It was written by Robert Fripp and Peter Sinfield, with lyrics by Sinfield, and performed by the original lineup of King Crimson: Robert Fripp (guitar), Ian McDonald (woodwinds, keyboards, vibes, mellotron, backing vocals), Greg Lake (bass guitar, lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Michael Giles (drums, percussion) and Peter Sinfield (lyrics, illumination).
The 8-minute epic consists of two distinct parts: “March for No Reason” and “Tomorrow and Tomorrow”. Both sections feature intricate instrumental interplay between Fripp and McDonald, as well as haunting vocal harmonies from Lake. Lyrically, the song paints an apocalyptic vision of a world consumed by war and violence. Despite its dark themes, the track remains one of King Crimson's most beloved songs, praised for its ambitious musicianship and powerful lyrics.