Cygnus X-1, Book One: The Voyage

(album: A Farewell To Kings - 1977)

[Prologue:]
In the constellation of Cygnus, there lurks a mysterious, invisible force: the black hole of Cygnus X-1...

Six stars of the Northern Cross
In mourning for their sister's loss
In a final flash of glory
Nevermore to grace the night...

[Part 1]

Invisible to telescopic eye
Infinity, the star that would not die

All who dare to cross her course
Are swallowed by a fearsome force

Through the void
To be destroyed
Or is there something more?
Atomized...at the core?
Or through the astral door?
To soar...

[Part 2]

I set a course just east of Lyra
And northwest of Pegasus
Flew into the light of Deneb
Sailed across the Milky Way
On my ship, the 'Rocinante'
Wheeling through the galaxies
Headed for the heart of Cygnus
Headlong into mystery

The X-ray is her siren song
My ship cannot resist her long
Nearer to my deadly goal
Until the black hole
Gains control...

[Part 3]

Spinning, whirling
Still descending
Like a spiral sea
Unending...

Sound and fury
Drown my heart
Every nerve
Is torn apart...

To be continued...