Cait Brennan The Tragical History Of Dr Heinrich Wilhelm Walter
In June of 1914
I played the pawn in your scheme
To celebrate the regime
We played the grandest charade—
I cheered the passing parade
Your black hand threw—a grenade
Come moonstruck rhymesters and common romancers
Inveterate liars, come on, take a chance, sirs
Crown me with flowers and I’ll have my answer
(so déclassé, this cabaret,
too late to pay your way and…)
Even the score and run for more
Devil’s got a hand in love and war
Lovers caught up in the mystery
Never gonna learn from history…
We’re so Gilbert and Garbo
We’re all dressed up for the show
My pusillanimous beau
Herr Doctor Walter
The greatest man of the age
High-hatted prince of the stage
I do my best to assuage
Herr Doctor Walter
Man of mysterious means—he pulls the strings
September 1, ‘39
10,000 Panzers in line
You hummed the “Watch On The Rhine”
(on the Rhine)
November of ‘63
Had a disciple named Lee
Who did his bidding with glee
(woe to he)
Come all you drunkards, you sots and debauchers
Blacklegs and harlots, cut-throats and zen archers
This night is blighted with exquisite tortures
(his sobriquet, Dorian Gray,
and Faustus paved the way to…)
Even the score and run for more
Devil’s got a hand in love and war
Lovers caught up in the mystery
Never gonna learn from history…
We’re so much Bonnie and Clyde
Something inside of me died
The day I had to collide
With Dr. Walter
The power behind the throne—
With him you’re never alone
I do my best to atone
For Dr. Walter
Man of mysterious means—who pulls the strings?
Once a pure and holy boy
Widowed mother’s pride and joy
In the church’s good employ,
He swore to serve the Lord
Then a black and deadly plague
Sent his mother to her grave
Though he cried and prayed and prayed
His prayers were all ignored
Rage and fire burning in his brain
Mephistopheles did call his name
He lashed that Devil to the wheel and bade him:
Even the score and run for more (Even the score!)
Devil’s got a hand in love and war (Run to war!)
Lovers caught up in the mystery (Run to war!)
Never gonna learn from history…(Run to war!)
We’re so Fantômas and Maud
Wholly forsaken by God
Let’s hear you sinners applaud
Herr Doctor Walter
He’s got the Mark on his Cain
But where’s the Mark for the slain?
I do my best to contain
Herr Doctor Walter
Man of mysterious means—he pulls the strings
(God save his soul if he has a soul to save)
Some people like to pretend
Fools say his day’s at an end
Don’t you believe it, my friend
Some say he died in a fire
Some claim he simply retired
While still so widely admired
But I struck the murderous blow
That killed the star of this show
There was no way I could know
That as he gasped his last breath
When Satan came to collect
The Doctor deigned to defect
The road is short from Bethlehem to Golgotha
You cry for justice—you cry to your Father
And then cry havoc—or die as a martyr
(his nom de guerre, Judas Iscar, could never bear the stare of…)
He’s so angelic and good
Earlier misunderstood
We’re all like babes in the wood
To Doctor Walter
Now with the Devil outrun,
He’s Heaven’s favorite son
God’s darkest deals will get done
By Doctor Walter
A man of heavenly wings
Who pulls the strings?