What a Piece of Work Is Man
Galt MacDermot/Tom Pierson Lyrics

The lyrics to Galt MacDermot and Tom Pierson's song "What a Piece of Work Is Man" are a reflection on the complexity and contradictions of human nature. The opening line refers to man as a "piece of work" which can be interpreted as both a compliment and an insult. "Noble in reason" suggests that humans have the capacity for logical and rational thought, but "infinite in faculties" implies that these abilities are endless and perhaps overwhelming.

The next lines describe man's physical and emotional capabilities. "In form and moving" can refer to fitness and agility, while "express and admirable" speak to man's ability to communicate and create. "In action how like an angel" is another compliment that suggests humans can perform acts of great kindness and beauty, while "in apprehension how like a god" speaks to our ability to understand complex ideas and to see the world from a higher perspective.

The second half of the song takes a darker turn as the singer confesses to having lost his joy in life. The earth, once a "goodly frame," now appears to him as a "sterile promontory" - a barren and lifeless place. This sentiment is echoed in the imagery of the "foul and pestilent congregation of vapors" that hangs over the earth. Despite this despair, the singer's admiration for humanity persists, as evidenced by the repetition of the initial lines.