King Crimson - Epitaph (1969) Lyrics Video

IMPORTANT: THIS IS NOT THE ORIGINAL VERSION. I PREVIOUSLY POSTED THE ORIGINAL BUT YT GAVE ME A STRIKE FOR IT. SO I POSTED THIS VERSION THAT IS SAID TO BE FROM A BOX SET THAT SHOWS THIS EARLY VERSION. SORRY FOR THAT!!!

BUT THIS VERSION IS QUITE INTERESTING TOO, ENJOY IT!!!

“Epitaph” is the third track on King Crimson’s October 1969 debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King. Noted for its heavy use of mellotron and Greg Lake’s emotional vocals, the lyrics were written by the band’s primary lyricist, Peter Sinfield, with additional contributions from Lake. Sinfield spoke of the song in a 2019 interview:

‘Epitaph’ was a poem that I’d written when I had my own band. It started with the words, and then it was very much a piece of ensemble writing. Ian McDonald would come up with an idea, then someone else. I think Greg came up with the idea: ‘But I fear tomorrow I’ll be crying’, which is very Greg-ish.

The subtitle for this track is listed as “Including ‘March for No Reason’ and ‘Tomorrow and Tomorrow,’” though it’s not indicated which part is which. It’s likely that these subtitles were invented as a way of earning more royalties, suggested to the band by their management.

The word epitaph has Greek origins and is a combination of the words “epi” (meaning “on”) and “taphos” (which means tomb). The translation regards something that is inscribed on a tombstone. Epitaphs are placed on tombs to honor the deceased person buried inside. Though sometimes chosen by a person other than the deceased, it is generally seen as representative of their final thoughts or a description of their life.

[Instrumental Intro]

[Verse 1]
The wall on which the prophets wrote
Is cracking at the seams
Upon the instruments of death
The sunlight brightly gleams
When every man is torn apart
With nightmares and with dreams
Will no one lay the laurel wreath
When silence drowns the screams?

[Chorus]
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
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying

[Verse 2]
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
If no one sets the rules
The fate of all mankind I see
Is in the hands of fools

[Instrumental: “March for No Reason”]

[Verse 1]
The wall on which the prophets wrote
Is cracking at the seams
Upon the instruments of death
The sunlight brightly gleams
When every man is torn apart
With nightmares and with dreams
Will no one lay the laurel wreath
When silence drowns the screams?

[Chorus]
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
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Crying…
Crying…
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Crying…

[Outro: “Tomorrow and Tomorrow”]

[Instrumental]

[dermocosmetica]

02:20 El epitafio de la canción de King Crimson explora temas de muerte, desesperación e incertidumbre.
04:40 El destino de la humanidad está en manos de tontos.
07:00 El muro en el que escribieron los profetas.
09:13 La letra expresa miedo y tristeza por el futuro.
Crafted by Merlin AI.

[musiclife]

This song, in my mind, is THE greatest song of all time. The euphonious melody and such poetically written lyrics are just perfect and mesmerizing. I just want to thank King Crimson for allowing me to enjoy this masterpiece.

[Happy-Trails-To-You]

One of the best songs ever written, and recorded. Fortunate that I grew up when this song was created. Etched in my memories since then and an all time favorite to this day. I am 72.

[raymorrow]

I was 5yrs old in 1969. My oldest sister was 16. She was into all the Rock bands at the time and collected all the vinyl too.! Which I would eventually own.!! My stand outs were The Doors Light my Fire which I would dance to. She taught me. Alice Cooper Killer. That whole album I begged her to always play. And this album. I would just sit and stare at the cover.! The whole first side is in my DNA.!! Still today.! We lived about 30 min from Woodstock.! She begged my mom to let her go. Mom said NO.! She cried so hard that I cried with her. I was 5 yrs old.! She used to babysit me. I was around her friends all the time. Lots of pot smoking n some drinking. They were all so great. Magical times.! RIP Nancy and thank you for turning me on to the music and all those memories..

[iga]

"The fate of all mankind I fear
Is in the hands of fools"
Very prophetic !

[GSSurry]

I am now 68 years old. This song brings back good, bad and sad memories by the bucket load.

[scottkellydickey]

The incredible lyrics of this masterpiece are absolutely more profound and true today then anytime in my over 60 years. It's so incredibly sad 😢

[pierrebourbonnais]

Greg's voice ....is so émotional, and in tune ! Beautiful smooth voice he had ....Rest in peace Mister Lake.

[GL-erbv]

이 음악을열아홉살때 처음듣고서 음악다방구석 스피커 밑에서 가슴으로들었다 명곡중ㅈ의 명곡이다 클래식에 버금가는 아니그보다 더뛰어난음악이다

[alanstrong]

Greg Lake had such an unmistakable voice. Greg Lake, RIP.

[AB-thon]

Jeżeli napiszę ze najpiękniejsze lata mojego zycia to czas w którym powstawały najlepsze utwory muzyczne w historii współczesnej to w zasadzie na tym mogę zakńczyć komentarz.. Epitaph King Cromson to utwór który jest wszystkim co w muzyce najważniejsze. Ma swoja dramaturgię. Patos instrumentacji. Perfekcyjne wykonanie. Brak jakichkoleiek niedociągnięć i wreszcie głos Greg, a Lake. Kiedy ukazała sie ich płyta i wraz z kolegami z mojego zespołu odsłuchaliśmy kilku utworów zwątpiliśmy w sens własnej działalności. Byłem onieśmielony jak przedszkolak w La Scala. King Crimson napisał moje poczucie estetyki na nowo. Zachęcam wszystkich tak jak zrobiłem to ja do przekazywania tej estetyki następnym pokoleniom. Naszym dzieciom i wnukom. Warto pokazać to co najlepsze i co nie może zostac zapomniane.

[namyarasree]

A song I used to listen in 1969. A perfect reflection of the actual situation. Thank you, King Crimson....!!!

[joeylamuel]

The fact that this song is so prophetic is only proof that mankind never really changes. Technology evolves, we don't.

[MohamedSalahDebbeche]

The best song ever. It marked My childhood enormously, I was ten or eleven back then. I am talking about the 1970s. It was a MUST in a French speaking radio station in my country in Tunisia.

[sateep]

One of the most pleasurable auditory experiences of my life is hearing Greg Lake’s voice and his crystalline guitar tone. Glad to have lived in his time…

[reholc]

I was in high school when this album was released.
Epitaph is just as powerful and as fresh now as it was then all that time ago.
Greg Lake was and awesome vocalist.

[MrMizzantrop]

Прекрасная песня! Мне за 50 и до сих от некоторых песен этой группы слёзы на глаза наворачиваются 😢

[raoul.nordicartist]

One of the most epic songs ever written. Been listening to it thousands of times through the last 45 years - still gives me the chills

[SURA]

Introduced to King Crimson from JJBA, and I love everything about this song. The emotions to the vocals. Rest easy, Greg.

[viva]

What a great distinctive voice he had. Beautiful song...and such deep soul searching words.