Institution Green
The walls are cracked and dim
And we are standing in a line
Waiting for our faces to be seen
Institution green
Watch the floor and cound the hours
None will meet my eyes
Private people in this public place
I wonder if they'll take a look
Find my name inside that book
Lose me on the printed page
Where to point the aimless rage
I cast my vote upon this earth
Take my place for what it's worth
Hunger for a pair of eyes
To notice and to regognize
Institution green
A woman stands behind a table
She will call my name
After that I'll be admitted in
I wonder if she'll take a look
Find my name inside that book
Lose me on the printed page
Where to point the aimless rage
I cast my vote upon this earth
Take my place for what it's worth
Hunger for a pair of eyes
To notice and to regognize
Institution green
Teach me how to pull the lever
Push the curtain closed
Take what's needed then just
Let me go
Suzanne Vega Institution Green