Rick Wakeman
Lyric guide

The Prisoner

Read The Prisoner lyrics by Rick Wakeman on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

Rick Wakeman visibility2 visits
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot

The page facts to cite before the commentary

Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.

Page type: lyric reference Artist: Rick Wakeman Canonical path: /rick-wakeman/the-prisoner Related lyric paths: 6
Lyrics

The Prisoner

The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.

The shadow of the noose grew long. A sun dial of the time

The prisoner had left to live. A self inflicted crime

To pay with death for pain he gave to those he soon will meet

The rope hung loosely round his neck. The devil at his feet

You shall hang, said the judge, for your presence here on Earth

Is no use for those who wish to live in peace

Your evil lives forever. You shall hang, said the judge

You shall hang, you shall hang, you shall hang

The hangman checked the rope. Aware the prisoner was afraid

The preacher softly praying to Our Lord his soul to save

The blindfold placed around his eyes. An unlit funeral pyre

The hangman pulled the lever. He heard an astral choir

One man's life has cost another. You shall not lie in sacred ground

The time has come to meet your Maker. Down on Earth, they heard no sound

Your evil lives for ever. You shall hang, said the judge

All earthly life in you has ceased

He tried to call out to the Maker. On no eartly soil he fell

The Maker motioned all around. He felt his soul dragged down to hell

He saw the man that he had murdered. People he had pained on Earth

Of souls returning reincarnate. No hope for his rebirth

You shall hang, said the Maker, for your presence on our planes

Is no use for those who wish to rest in peace. Your evil lives for ever

You shall hang, said the Maker, You shall hang. You shall hang. You shall hang

Quick answers

What this page can answer fast

Who performs "The Prisoner"?

Rick Wakeman performs "The Prisoner", and this lyric page sits inside the Rick Wakeman catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "The Prisoner"?

Yes. The related section below points to Merlin the Magician and Morning Star with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Rick Wakeman?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Rick Wakeman's lyric pages.

Song Room

Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song

Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.

Open Song Room
0 followers Selected insights only surface after moderation
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Add a short interpretation or memory

A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.

Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.

No listener comments on The Prisoner yet.