This song is about “St. Vitus' Dance,” a nervous disorder called chorea that causes rapid jerking motions in its victims. In the Middle Ages it’s victims prayed to St. Vitus, who was said to have the cure. He got the idea from a book about epidemics of the Middle Ages.
This was the first track on G...
[Verse 1]
Caught in the chaos in the market square
I don't know what, I don't know why, but something's wrong down there
Their bodies twisting and turning in a thousand ways
The eyes all rolling round and round into a distant gaze
[Chorus]
Ah, look at that crowd!
Some are jumping up in the air – say, "We're drowning in a torrent of blood!"
Others going down on their knees, seen a saviour come out of the mud
[Verse 2]
Oh, Mother! It's eating out my soul
Destroying law and order, I'm going to lose control
What can I do to stop this plague, spread by sight alone
Just a glimpse and then a quiver, then they shiver to the bone
[Chorus]
Ah, look at them go!
Bunderschaft, you are going daft? Better seal off the castle grounds
"This is Moribund, the Burgermeister, I'm gonna keep this monster down
Somebody sent the subversive element; going to chase it out of town."
[Post-Chorus]
No-one will tell what all this is about
But I will find out
I will find out
I will find out
[Verse 3]
This thing's outrageous, I tell you, on the level
It's really so contagious, must be the work of the devil
You better go now, pick up the pipers and tell them to play
Seems the music keeps them quiet, there is no other way
[Chorus]
Ah, close the doors!
"We've tried potions and waxen dolls, but none of us could find any cures,"
Mother, please, is it just a disease, that has them breaking all my laws
Check if you can disconnect the effect, and I'll go after the cause
[Post-Chorus]
No-one will tell what all this is about
But I will find out
I will find out
I will find out
[Outro]
Mother, you know your son
When I say I will, I will
They'll be sorry
I'll make sure they're sorry
Moribund the Burgermeister was written by Peter Gabriel.
Moribund the Burgermeister was produced by Bob Ezrin.
Peter Gabriel released Moribund the Burgermeister on Fri Feb 25 1977.