Beat Nomads - Hemlock's Wisdom Lyrics

Athens' gadfly, wisdom's voice
Questioning all, youth rejoice
Corrupting minds, so they say
Put on trial, truth's display
In the agora, ideas bloom
Now facing an unjust doom

Hemlock's wisdom, Socrates' choice
Facing betrayal with reason's voice
Death before compromise, he stands tall
Philosopher's courage enthralls all
The unexamined life's not worth living
His final lesson, forever giving

Apology spoken, no regrets
Seeking truth, no matter the threats
Accused of impiety, corrupting the young
But his teachings have just begun
Democracy's dark side revealed
As fate of the sage is sealed

Hemlock's wisdom, Socrates' choice
Facing betrayal with reason's voice
Death before compromise, he stands tall
Philosopher's courage enthralls all
The unexamined life's not worth living
His final lesson, forever giving

In his cell, disciples weep
But Socrates' resolve runs deep
Crito's plea to flee ignored
Principles cannot be scored
Drinking the cup, embracing fate
Immortal words that resonate

Know thyself, his final decree
In death, his mind forever free
Betrayed by ignorance and fear
Socrates' courage rings clear
Question everything, seek the light
In the face of power's might

Hemlock's wisdom, Socrates' choice
Facing betrayal with reason's voice
Death before compromise, he stands tall
Philosopher's courage enthralls all
The unexamined life's not worth living
His final lesson, forever giving

Hemlock's wisdom, forever flows
In every questioner who knows
That truth and virtue conquer all
Even as empires rise and fall
Socrates died, but ideas live on
His courage guides us until dawn