The song is about a young man who wants to learn the future from an old prophet with a crystal ball.
The young man thinks he is going mad and seeks the old prophet to help him cope with his visions/nightmares.
The prophet's advice is ignored by the young man and they become angry with each other.
Can I play with madness?
Give me the sense to wonderTo wonder if I'm freeGive me a sense of wonderTo know I can be meGive me the strength to hold my head upSpit back in their faceDon't need no key to unlock this doorGonna break down the wallsBreak out of this bad place
I screamed aloud to the old manI said don't lie, don't say you don't knowI say you'll pay for this mischiefOh in this world or the nextOh and then he fixed me with a freezing glanceAnd the hell fires raged in his eyesHe said you wanna know the truth son?Lord, I'll tell you the truthYour soul's gonna burn in a lake of fire
Can I play with madness?The prophet stared at his crystal ballCan I play with madness?There's no vision there at allCan I play with madness?The prophet looked at me and laughed at me (ha ha) He said:Can I play with madness?He said you're blind, too blind to see
Listen to me, said the prophet
Can I play with madness?
