I’m not sure what happened in May of 1992 but something made me suddenly become very very disillusioned with some iconic poets and singers.
I had been writing my heartfelt yearnings for the world to be better and my damning declarations against the rot we allow to keep growing in the nether regions of society, but something was off.
I recall it might revolve around Bob Dylan, but I am not sure.
This song has me playing the role of Poet God, looking down upon my created, earnest messengers and feeling disappointed because their humble beginnings and distillation of truth had struck a nerve with society and the world repaid them in gold. Lots of it.
So much gold that they then starting living in rarified planes, losing connection to the world and the people for whom they were once prophets and advocates.
I have a sneaking suspicion that this haughty perspective I adopted had seeped through from being impressed by Leonard Cohen’s recently-released album, The Future. He sings in judgement of the world as the “little Jew who wrote the Bible”, and there was something intoxicating about taking the podium to preach.
You will see that as I worked on this with The Virtualosos in 2025, I needed to alter the structure of the refrains and the closing moments of the song. I think it is better for it. It builds to its climax.
Poets & Singers Raw Scratchings
Poets & Singers Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Poets and singers
Come in from the garden
There’ll be no more rain
And the sun is now frozen
[Verse 2]
Poets and singers
The roll will be called
Your service remembered
Your peace is assured
[Refrain]
You had your calling and you did your best
But now It’s time to rest
[Verse 3]
Poets and singers
There are so many words
So many warnings
You gave to the world
[Verse 4]
Poets and singers
It seems I was wrong
To think those in power
Would listen to song
[Refrain]
You had your calling and you made your noise
But now I have no choice
[Verse 5]
Poets and singers
My thinkers and dreamers
It seems you were lost
In the balloons and streamers
[Verse 6]
Poets and singers
Who strayed from the path
You’ve squandered your talents
And broken my heart
[Refrain]
You lost your calling
Yes you lost your way
And now It’s time to pay
[Verse 7]
Poets and singers
Come in from the garden
There’ll be no more rain
And the sun is now frozen
[Verse 8]
Poets and singers
The roll will be called
Your service remembered
Your peace is assured
[Refrain]
You had your calling and you gave your cry
But now It’s time to die
Yes, now It’s time To die