In The Cage

(album: Genesis Archive 1967-1975 - 1998)

I've got sunshine in my stomach
Like I just rocked my baby to sleep
I've got sunshine in my stomach
But I can't keep me from creeping sleep
Sleep, deep in the deep

Rock face moves to press my skin
White liquids turn sour within
Turn fast-turn sour
Turn sweat-turn sour
Must tell myself that I'm not here
I'm drowning in a liquid fear
Bottled in a strong compression
My distortion shows obsession
In the cave
Get me out of this cave!

If I keep self-control
I'll be safe in my soul
And the childhood belief
Brings a moment's relief
But my cynic soon returns
And the lifeboat burns
My spirit just never learns

Stalactites, stalagmites
Shut me in, lock me tight
Lips are dry, throat is dry
Feel like burning, stomach churning
I'm dressed up in a white costume
Padding out left-over room
Body stretching, feel the retching
In the cage
Get me out of this cage!

In the glare of a light
I see a strange kind of sight
Of cages joined to form a star
Each person can't go very far
All tied to their things
They are netted by their strings
Free to flutter in memories of their wasted wings

Outside the cage I see my brother John
He turns his head so slowly 'round
I cry out "Help!" before he can be gone
And he looks at me without a sound
And I shout out, 'John please help me!'
But he does not even want to try to speak
I'm helpless in my violent rage
And a silent tear of blood dribbles down his cheek
And I watch him turn again and leave the cage
My little runaway

Raindrops keep falling on my head
(They keep falling on my
Raindrops keep falling on my head
(They keep falling on my
(Raindrops keep falling on my head
(They keep falling on my...)

In a trap, feel a strap
Holding still. Pinned for kill
Chances narrow that I'll make it
In the cushioned straight-jacket
Just like 22nd Street
When they got me by my neck and feet
Pressure's building, can't take more
My headaches charge. Ear aches roar
In this pain
Get me out of this pain

If I could change to liquid
I could fill the cracks up in the rocks
But I know that I am solid
And I am my own bad luck
Outside John disappears and my cage dissolves
And without any reason my body revolves

Keep on turning, keep on turning
Keep on turning, keep on turning
Keep on turning, turning around
Just spinning around
'Round, 'round, 'round, 'round
'Round, 'round, 'round, 'round