And Can the Physician Make Sick Men Well

Song Meaning

The lyrics pose a fundamental question about the efficacy of healing and foresight, immediately casting doubt on both the physician and the magician. The repeated refrain of specific, almost archaic-sounding ingredients – "lily, germander, and sops-in-wine" alongside "sweet-briar and bonfire" and "strawberry wire and columbine" – suggests a reliance on traditional, perhaps even folkloric, remedies and rituals. These elements are presented not as proven methods, but as necessary components for any attempt at such feats, hinting at a world where magic and medicine are intertwined with natural, possibly obscure, elements. The core tension lies in the uncertainty surrounding these practices. The questions "And can the physician make sick men well?" and "And can the magician a fortune divine?" are never definitively answered with a 'yes.' Instead, the lyrics pivot to the *conditions* under which these actions might be attempted, emphasizing the required ingredients and specific, almost paradoxical, movements: "in and out, round as a ball" and "hither and thither, as straight as a line." This juxtaposition of opposing actions highlights the elusive and complex nature of the powers being invoked. The most striking aspect is the evocation of a mythical past where such problems didn't exist. The line "When Saturn did live, there lived no poor" paints a picture of an idyllic, equitable era, contrasting sharply with the present implied need for physicians and magicians. This golden age, where "the king and the beggar with roots did dine," suggests a natural harmony and abundance that has been lost, making the current attempts at healing and divination seem like desperate measures in a fallen world. Ultimately, these lyrics resonate because they tap into a deep-seated skepticism about our ability to control fate and health, even with our most advanced or mystical tools. The intricate, almost incantatory listing of botanical ingredients and the contrasting movements create a sense of ritualistic effort. The wistful glance backward to a time of inherent well-being underscores the present struggle, making the unanswered questions about the physician and magician feel profoundly human and relatable.