Institution Green

Suzanne Vega

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