So, I am a musician and composer in my spare time, but serious enough to be affiliated with the national author's association. I have entertained the idea of writing a conceptual album about one person's personal journey into a cult, living the cult, and leaving the cult and beyond. I hope this will resonate, not only with JW's but with people who are going, or went, through similar journeys. I'm sharing the lyrics to one of the songs, that I'm writing the music to. If someone is a skilled guitar player, maybe you'd like to contribute with a guitar solo (I'm a keyboard player). English isn't my native language, so if there are glaring mistakes, kindly point them out to me, please.
The song is "Physically In, Mentally Out". I hope it resonates with you.
PHYSICALLY IN, MENTALLY OUT
(Ricardo Pimentel – 5.12.2024)
"I used to enjoy to meet in this place
Saw wisdom and prophecy, bonding and grace;
And I felt the spirit, or that’s what I thought
But lately, goddamnit, I so feel it not.
And now I sit down at this consecrate hall
I find myself staring at its bare-naked walls
Words that are empty flow down from the droid,
They are nothing but junk food that can’t fill the void.
This endless annoyance of a dry rolling drum
It’s getting me so uncomfortably dumb
Old Eden was lost, there is just wilderness
We just orderly march to the great nothingness
What the hell am I doing, still in this place?
How can I sit in here and keep up a straight face?
Should I just remain quiet, when I can barely hide?
This barrel will burst, ‘cause it’s brewing inside.
I am physically in, but I’m mentally out
I’m raging within, but I can’t live without
I know I must leave, but there’s so much to lose
You made me an offer, can’t afford to refuse
I am physically in, but I’m mentally out
I used to be certain, now I’m drowning in doubt
Something is rotten, something is wrong;
And the pain lingers on and on and on …
And just like that, once you have wasted your youth
In horror you grasp the truth about the Truth
Now the ark it is leaking, and the captains have lied
The prophets have failed and the hope it has died
The rabid wild wolves that have haunted my sleep
Upon waking, they’re just torn apart, grieving sheep
And I know I should speak up, from all that I’ve learned
But brother, I know, against me you will turn
This stifling oppression, I can’t take anymore
God is love and forgiving, but he’s keeping a score
There’s no loving compassion, just a pretense of love
Because, brother, you see, dead is the holy dove.
So, I feign my submission, I’m binding my time
I play to the mission, I’m hiding my crime
Is this what it feels like, to inexcusably sin?
Ahh, which way that I go, they will not let me win.
I am physically in, but I’m mentally out
I’m raging within, but I can’t live without
I know I must leave, but there’s so much to lose
You made me an offer, can’t afford to refuse
I am physically in, but I’m mentally out
Standing in horror, contemplating the fallout
A lifetime wasted on the lies that you’ve spawned
And the rat race goes on and on and on …
Oh Mother! Oh brother! Oh lover! Oh friend!
Will you still love me if I no longer intend
to keeping the creed that you’re holding so dear,
letting go of the faith that is no longer here?
Will you cast me away from your lot by decree?
Will you call out for pity, will you blame it on me?
Will you shun me for life as if I were deceased?
Will you take out our children away when you leave?
See, freedom is more than just having a choice;
It means also one’s able to grow its own voice
and to let go, or hold on, and not be coerced
By the overtly dread of becoming accursed
The birdcage is open but I’m dreading to fly
These invisible chains don’t allow me to try
My sanity jitters, this cuts like a knife
I just know I must leave, if I am to survive
I am physically in, but I’m mentally out
I’m raging within, but I can’t live without
I know I must leave, but there’s so much to lose
You made me an offer, can’t afford to refuse
I am physically in, but I’m mentally out
I bask in the shadows, I’m rambling about
Any day now I’ll leave, and I’ll see a new dawn
Till then, the pain goes on and on and on …
I am physically in, I am mentally out ….
I am physically in, I am mentally out …. "