The song we are about to hear was released in 1979 as the 'B' side of a single. The 'A' side, "Furniture Music", was far less charming, to my ears anyway. But we're each stuck with the ears we've got, I suppose. And Harvest Records was in control at that point. And somebody at Harvest liked "Furniture Music" better. So it goes. But my ears can't get enough of this track.
Musically, it's weird and beautiful at the same time, and (spoiler alert!) lyrically it's ultra-heavy. Never requested at any campfire singalong I know of, and rightly so!
When door of the room is open
and the shadows of the moon have broken
There sits the furniture of nightmare
so well displayed
Well all my judges stand assembled
For the passing of some sentence
Whose time is endless and whose measure
is never to be known
There are no landscapes in the windows
No refuge for the eye to run to
The door is locked for all retreat
is forbidden to the bold
The trial begins its life in whispers
I know too well these accusations
These are the facts though not a scrap
of evidence is shown
So where then are these murdered angels?
Where are their white exquisite corpses?
Show me the instruments of torture
that I am said to hold
My crimes are not the crimes of heroes
I run no risk of their redemption
My heart is chained though I am free
to pass from world to world
Acquitted by mirrors
The guilty lead a charmed life
I am the criminal unknown
the mark is on my soul
I’m acquitted by mirrors ...
