"Eyes of a Stranger"
(hospital PA sounds, anguished cries in the background)
All alone now*except for the memories*of what we had and what we knew*every
time I try to leave it behind me*I see something that reminds me of you*Every
night the dreams return to haunt me*Your rosary wrapped around your throat*I
lie awake and sweat, afraid to fall asleep*I see your face looking back
at me*and I raise my head and stare*into the eyes of a stranger*I've always
known that the mirror never lies.*People always turn away*from the eyes
of a stranger,*afraid to know what*lies behind the stare*Is this all that's
left*of my life before me*straight-jacket memories, sedative highs*No happy
ending like they've always promised.*There's got to be something left for
me*and I raise my head and stare*into the eyes of a stranger*I've always
known that the mirror never lies.*People always turn away*from the eyes
of a stranger,*afraid to know what*lies behind the stare, lies behind my
stare*How many times must I live this tradgedy*How many more lies will
they tell me*All I want is the same as everyone*Why am I here, and for
how long*and I raise my head and stare*into the eyes of a stranger*I've
always known that the mirror never lies.*People always turn away*from the
eyes of a stranger,*afraid to know* what lies behind the stare
(amalgamation of sounds from Nikki's horrifying month, ending with
a loud, distorted word: "Revolution"
a pause.
Nikki: I remember now.)
A vivid description of the horrors Nikki experiences
in the mental hospital. He realizes he is alone, and tries to forget
the painful events he has only just experienced. He sees things that
remind him of Mary everywhere. He is forced to tell and retell his
story by psychiatrists. Each time, he experiences anew the pain of
his tragedy. All he wants is to escape his prison and walk free,
like other people. He knows not why or for how long he is there,
which frightens him more. Every time he looks into the mirror, he
does not recognize the person he sees. The stranger with his own
face scares him, and he wants to escape that, too. The story ends
with an amalgamation of sound bites from the story and Nikki saying "I
rememer now."
Straightforward in its meaning, this songs brings
the tragic story to its end. At the begining, we hear the same nurse
calling the same doctors on the PA as we did at the album's start.
This is beautiful device to illustrate that the flashback is over.
The jumbled sound bites at the end are taken from points throughout the
story and bring closure. Nikki's statement is a perfect capper for
the ending.