There are songs whose lyrics would work well at a poetry reading, and then there are those which, when read aloud, sound stilted, confusing or just plain ridiculous. (Seems to me there was a DJ a few years back who did a bit with reading rock lyrics - I remember him reading Mellencamp's "Scarecrow" and getting to the part about "to call it eh your job oh huh sho' don't make it right" - it was hysterical).

Anyhow, excepting those songs that started out as poetry (Robert Burns, Robert Service, etc.) what are the songs wherein the lyrics transcend the music in a powerful way? Many Paul Simon songs come to my mind, and some Dylan, but I'm sure there are plenty others out there. My sentimental vote, though, goes to "Sounds of Silence".