Evening liturgy for the Nativity of Roger Waters (1943)

Far away, across the fields the tolling of the iron bell calls the faithful to their knees....


Archdruid: Welcome, my son (or as it may be, sons and daughters).

All: Welcome to the machine.


Burton Dasset: I've got a bike.

All: You can ride it if you like.


Archdruid: So ya thought ya might like to go to the show? To feel the warm thrill of confusion - that space cadet glow?

All: Careful with that axe, Eileen. You know you can't play it.


Archdruid: That's not the point. Point is, are you here to worship - to think - to be challenged - to be changed - or just to feel good?


All: Oh, feel good. Every time.


Archdruid: But the worms rotting society; the judges sh.... showing contempt for the common man or woman. The forces of oppression. The hammers that beat us down. Will you exchange a walk-on part in a war for a leading role in a cage?

All: OK, Eileen. You're scaring us now. Can we please get back to the space cadet glow?


Archdruid: No doubt about it, the lunatics are in my Moot House.


All: And also with you.


Archdruid: OK, if you don't care about society, fairness, creativity, what is right or the ordinary people, there's only one thing for it...

All: Bring on the wall!


Far away across the field, the rhythmic sound of cash registers can be heard. All alone, or in twos, the bleeding hearts and artists sigh, and go off to jump in the lake.