Sounds of Silence

The Sound of Silence
Artist or Composer: Paul Simon

Hello darkness, [my old friend],
I've come [to talk [with you again]],
[Because a vision (softly creeping),
Left its seeds [while I was sleeping]],
And the vision (that was planted [in my brain])
Still remains [Within the sound (of silence)].

[In restless dreams] I walked alone
Narrow streets (of cobblestone),
['Neath the halo (of a street lamp)],
I turned my collar [to the cold and damp]
[When my eyes were stabbed [by the flash (of a neon light)]
(That split the night And touched the sound (of silence)).

And [in the naked light] I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People (talking [without speaking]),
People (hearing [without listening]),
People (writing songs (that voices never shared))
And no one dared Disturb the sound (of silence).

"[Fools]" said I, "[You do not know [Silence [like a cancer] grows]].
Hear my words [that I might teach you],
Take my arms [that I might reach you]."
But my words [like silent raindrops] fell,
And echoed [in the wells (of silence)]

And the people bowed and prayed [To the neon god (they made)].
And the sign flashed out its warning, [In the words (that it was forming)].
And the sign said, "[The words (of the prophets)
are written [on the subway walls and tenement halls].
And whisper'd [in the sounds (of silence)]]."