Story Behind The Song

Charlie Gordon is the main character in Daniel Keyes' short story/play/novel, FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON. He describes mental retardation as sitting in a dark room and peeking through the keyhole at the dazzling world outside. I wanted to capture that imagery

Song Description

It must be one of life's biggest burdens to be mentally handicapped - and that handicap is not limited to low IQs. It must be frustrating to be gifted and not be able to share your discoveries with "average" friends.

Lyrics

THE KEY

Sitting in this dark room,
Seeing what develops;
Can’t step out of the tomb,
I can’t stop these hiccups.

I survey dark spaces,
And everywhere I see
Mindless, vacant faces
All staring back at me.

And it’s hard, it’s oh so hard,
Yes, it’s hard being sighted,
In the company of the blind;
It’s hard to get excited
About the colors that I find.

I wonder if it’s clear,
Do they even suspect,
That we’re all victims here
Of the same architect?

Shaped this world, shaped this room,
And then he shut us here,
Surrounded by the gloom,
And hounded by the fear.
And it’s hard, it’s oh so hard,
Yes, it’s hard being sighted,
In the company of the blind;
It’s hard to get excited
About the colors that I find.

I stand here all alone,
I see no one’s awake;
I guess I’m on my own,
It’s my soul that’s at stake.

You ask me if I know
What that keyhole is for;
I know it helps me go
Far beyond that locked door.

And it’s hard, it’s oh so hard,
Yes, it’s hard being sighted,
In the company of the blind;
It’s hard to get excited
About the colors that I find.

If I can find the key,
The one that fits that door,
I’ll end my misery;
I’ll end my private war.

Can’t stop short of conquest;
I must locate that key.
I can’t take time to rest;
It means the world to me.

And it’s hard, it’s oh so hard,
Yes, it’s hard being sighted,
In the company of the blind;
It’s hard to get excited
About the colors that I find.


Copyright © 2002 Lex Zaleta