I walked by harborview hospital

I heard the agnus dei

Oh sister of mercy

I've been gone too long to say

And all around this place I was a sad disgrace

They're singing they're singing

Away up on the hill

They're building they're building

A mystical union beautiful and still

But down here in the dirt they'll say it doesn't hurt

The devil's ascended

Upon some crystal wings

In the citadel lightning

Splits a cloud of butterflies and fiends

And with a vacant stare I'll leave a flower there

They're riding they're riding

A hellhound down the hill

They're sinking they're sinking

Into the ocean beautiful and still

And yet it's hard to leave in wealth or poverty

I walked by harborview hospital

And stopped at ninth and James

Oh sister of mercy

I've been down too far to say

Are they supposed to be as sick as you and me