Strawbs - Hanging In The Gallery lyrics

Cousins Is it the painter or the picture hanging in the gallery? Admired by countless thousands who attempt to read the secrets Of his vision of his very soul. Is it the painter or the picture hanging in the gallery? Or is it but a still life of his own interpretation Of the way that God had made us in the image of His eye? Is it the sculptor or the sculpture standing in the gallery? Touched by fleeting strangers who desire to feel the strength of hands That realised a form of life. Is it the sculptor or the sculpture standing in the gallery? Or is it but the tenderness with which his hands were guided To discard the unessentials and reveal the perfect truth? Is it the actor or the drama playing to the gallery? Heard in every corner of the theatre of cruelty That masks the humour in his speech. Is it the actor or the drama playing to the gallery? Or is it but the character of any single member of the audience That forms the plot of each and every play? Is it the singer or his likeness hanging in the gallery? Tongue black, still and swollen, his eyes staring from their sockets He is silent now, will sing no more. Is it the singer or his likeness hanging in the gallery? Or is it but his conscience, insecurity and loneliness When destiny becomes at last the cause of his demise?