“Panoptikon” is based on the prison experiences of Jack Abbott, while exploring the slightly sinister ideas of Jeremy Bentham, a prison in which all inmates could be observed at all times.
I have become a stranger to my own needs
And desires
I look and see things that are not there
And I ask myself
And I ask and I ask and I ask and I ask
I say: What is my name?
What is my name?
What is my name?
What is my name?
What is my...
What is your name, darling?
What is your name, angel?
What is your name, honey?
What is your name, baby?
What is your name, baby?
What is your name, baby?
Your name is that of a condemned man
Your name is that of a condemned man
You have no name
We both had knives high school education
I will not be sedated
I will not be sedated
I will not be sedated
I will not be sedated
I stuck a knife into his heart and he pleaded
With me, and it felt like making love to him
A prisoner cannot be subdued even with a knife at throat
That is why at this time he is a
Prisoner. It is the essence of being a prisoner
Today he cannot be subdued, only
Murdered
I will not be sedated
I will not be sedated
I will not be sedated
I will not be sedated
He cannot be subdued, only murdered
He cannot be subdued, only murdered
He cannot be subdued, only murdered
He cannot be subdued, only murdered
You know, murderers got to pay I say
Kill 'em in vain
Kill 'em in vain
Kill 'em, in vain
I call you
Can we know the truth at last?
I call you
Do you send me dead flowers? I call you
Do you know me now at last? I call you
Do you know my father's name?
I call you
Before the first breath of angels? I call you
Can't I make my peace at last?
Goddesses before mercy and old age
Take this child up the ladders to the storm
Shave from her soul his reptilian grace
And send her to a death beyond temptation
How I wish this would all end
How I wish I could walk free in this world
And could find my life again
And see and do things that other people do
I don't see how that would be possible right now, though
Too much has happened
For too long
To me
But you know
You know:
We insects have learned how to see in the dark
We have committed to memory the palace of despair
And what we see now are
Angels! Angels! Angels! Angels! Angels!
Dark night, make my bed
Panoptikon was written by Diamanda Galás.
Panoptikon was produced by Diamanda Galás.
Diamanda Galás released Panoptikon on Sun Jan 01 1984.