I always thought this was about a pub, like the Double Locks near Exeter and people have left the city. It's probably more likely about Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park since there are a lot of religious speaker, but pretty much every topic is covered.
Where is such a place in the US, with its purported freedom of speech?
Crowded afternoon and there's not enough room in the city today
The people assembled to hear what resembled evangelists say
Some came just to see them for a laugh
Others to be free
Fools must pretend to be wise
With a faith that we use as a heavy disguise.
Tears from the crowd with men crying aloud or just ringing their hands
The love in their hearts at this joining of people from far away lands
I'd so many questions I could ask
I wanted to be free
Fools must pretend to be wise
With a faith that we use as a heavy disguise.
Cheers from the crowd for a much-loved constituent lately arrived
Here's to the soul of the man who takes toll for just staying alive
Can't ignore the feeling in the air
Glad that I was there
Fools must pretend to be wise
With a faith that we use as a heavy disguise.
Evening drew on with a change of opinion from left wing and right
And North accused South who were left little doubt that they needed to fight
I cannot begin to understand
The suffering tonight
Fools must pretend to be wise
With a faith that we use as a heavy disguise
