It is popular nowadays to point at people with a lot of money and try to blame them for the wrongs of the world, for certainly there are those who seek and use wealth to create trouble. However, the root of this attitude is largely based on covetousness, which is breaking the 10th of the Ten Commandments, so you are in as much trouble with God as a murderer. Think about that!
There are even those who foolishly imagine that wealthy people have somehow escaped the curse of humanity (and may even try to take a philosophical &/or humorous approach to it), but you couldn’t be more wrong – they experience turmoil, too.
It’s all for the Best – Godspell
When you feel sad, or under a curse!
Your life is bad, your prospects are worse.
Your wife is sighing, crying,
And your olive tree is dying,
Temples are graying, and teeth are decaying
And creditors weighing your purse…
Your mood and your robe are both a deep blue.
You’d bet that Job had nothing on you!
Don’t forget that when you get to Heaven you’ll be blessed.
Yes, it’s all for the best.
Some men are born to live at ease, doing what they please,
richer than the bees are in honey.
Never growing old, never feeling cold,
pulling pots of gold from thin air.
The best in every town, best at shaking down,
best at making mountains of money.
They can’t take it with them, but what do they care?
They get the center of the meat, cushions on the seat,
houses on the street where it’s sunny…
Summers at the sea, winters warm and free,
all of this and we get the rest.
But who is the land for? The sun and the sand for?
You guessed! It’s all for the best!
Don’t forget that when you get to Heaven you’ll be blessed!
Yes, it’s all for the…..(all your wrongs will be redressed..)
Yes, it’s all for the…..(you must never be distressed….)
Yes, it’s all for the…..(someone’s got to be oppressed!)
Yes, it’s all for the best!!!
There was a time in my life when I lived around people with more money and “influence” than they knew how to wisely handle. Few had REAL friends – most people just wanted something from them, not the pleasure of their company. This limited them to associating with others with money, even if they hated their politics, religion, morals, attitudes, lifestyles, shallow approach to life, or living with the peer pressure to live and dress certain ways.
They worked to pay to live in isolation, often behind walls and barred gates with security to protect them and their stuff, because jealous people target them. Some life, eh? Imagine people keying your cars, breaking your windows, breaking into your home (or trying), knowing that people say nasty things about what they think you are like, and more. Fame and fortune that you brought on yourself is a curse, not a blessing.
I quickly realized they were to be pitied, not envied, and decided I NEVER wanted wealth, but to have just enough to live on and help others. If you don’t get it, I pity you as much as them. Their marriages are no better (they are often targeted by gold-diggers), they often end up having to sell their fancy houses or cars because they are money pits, they vainly seek privacy, and they are just as prone to addictive behavior and suicide.
“The Power of Gold” by Dan Fogelberg
The story is told of the power of gold and its lure on the unsuspecting,
it glitters and shines, it badgers and blinds, and constantly needs protecting.
Balance the cost of the soul you lost with the dreams you lightly sold.
Are you under…the power of gold?
The letters and calls got you climbing the walls, and everyone wants a favor.
They beg to remind you of times left behind you, but you know the past is a loser.
The face you’re wearing is different now,
and the days run hot and cold.
Are you under…the power of gold?
You’re a creature of habit, run like a rabbit, scared of a fear you can’t name.
Your own paranoia is looming before you, and nobody thinks that it’s a game.
Balance the cost of the soul you lost,
with the dreams you lightly sold.
Then tell me that you’re free of the power of gold.
The power of gold!
The women are lovely, the wine is superb,
but there’s something about the song that disturbs you…
The women are lovely, the wine is superb,
but there’s something about the song that disturbs you…
The women are lovely, the wine is superb,
but there’s something about the song that disturbs you…
Money can’t buy freedom from trouble, disaster, disease or death, and you can’t take it with you… Wealth is a cold and heartless “god” and master and waves goodbye at the end, leaving you with…nothing. Remember, Jesus warned “what benefit is it to a man if he gains the world, but loses his soul?”
I follow the Savior of the world and daily understand, better than the day before, that since God made everything, when we are gone all that remains is His. My heavenly Father really does own everything, so why do I need to pursue stuff as if I could take it with me? He will provide what I need, if I ask, and has a history of doing just that. For now, we are just caretakers of what becomes part of our lives.
I wasn’t going to post again so soon, but my son just came in and said I had to see this video. I’m glad I did. Andy Mineo is a Christian rapper and he just TODAY released this video in honor of his sister, who is deaf (and this is International Week of the Deaf). It is his apology for not learning sign language and apologizing. My husband is also deaf, and he really liked this, too. It’s very catchy. Enjoy!
Life is full of turmoil (and all the people shouted “Well, duh!”). For some it is more difficult than others, but here’s a big, obvious news flash: EVERYBODY suffers! NOBODY is immune to pain, sorrow and trouble, even the wealthy, so let this excellent music video encourage everyone.
God, who chose the children of Israel, and then offered salvation to us all, is a personal being. He can be known (to the extent that humans are able), and actually loves us and cares about puny people, as evidenced by Him choosing to live as one, then dying for us so we can become His children if we will just accept the gift. He will be there to help us through the troubles of this broken world. We don’t have to go it alone. I speak from experience.
For me, this is now “old news,” because as a homeschooling family we have always sought out a better and well-rounded history, but for many people, this will be new, and astonishing, information!
If you find history interesting, if you don’t, or just think you know the history of slavery in America, this video will blow your mind.
Points in this part:
American revolution – black soldiers, fully integrated armies. Famous revolutionaries: James Armistead, Peter Salem, Prince Whipple.
Paintings with surprises
Historic Black Writers about blacks in history: William Nell, Carter Woodson, Benjamin Quarles, Joseph Wilson, Booker T. Washington, Edward A. Johnson
The Constitution and the “3/5 clause” arguments, origins, intent.
Frederick Douglass – history, education, writings, discovery that 3/5 clause is anti-slavery.
1789 – Northwest Ordinance passed, forbidding slavery in new areas
1792 – Democratic National Committee founded
1808 – Congress abolished slave trade (Rev. Absalom Jones, first black bishop in Episcopal Church, gave sermon in Philadelphia commemorating it)
1820 – Jefferson’s Democratic Party now in majority. Their Congress passed Missouri Compromise (reversing Northwest Ordinance), permitting slavery in almost 1/2 of federal territories. Several states then admitted as slave states and, for the first time since the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, slavery officially promoted by Congressional policy.
1850 – Fugitive Slave Law, passed by Democratic Congress. A disaster for free blacks and Underground Railroad at its peak in this time.
1854 – Kansas-Nebraska Act, passed by Democratic Congress, allowed slavery to be introduced into parts of new territories where previously forbidden.
May 1854 – Anti-slavery Democrats in Congress formed the (new) Republican party to fight slavery and secure equal rights for black Americans. One founder: Sen. Charles Sumner (had championed desegregation of Boston public schools).
1856 – Sumner’s 2-day long speech in U.S. Senate against slavery. Preston Brooks (Rep – D) from South Carolina clubbed down Sumner on floor of Senate, nearly beating him to death. Many Democrats thought it amusing and that he deserved it. Sumner recovered enough after 3-1/2 years, to return to Senate and give another anti-slavery speech.
1856 – Republicans’ first Presidential election. First party platform had 6 of the 9 planks with bold declarations of equality and civil rights for African-Americans. Democratic Platform was boldly opposite.
Some people may continue on their own to watch the 2nd and 3rd parts, but I will be posting those out next week at this time, anyway.
Some of you know that I am partial to songs that tell stories. Some are very poignant and can make your heart long for a memory, or make you feel like you had the experience, especially if there is a good back story and even a music video to go with it.
There are times when I’ll hear a song somewhere and can’t get it out of my head; that happened recently. In fact, this morning I woke up with “Your Wildest Dreams” still echoing in my mind after several days of haunting me, so I grabbed my phone and Googled it, determined to play whatever video came up just to make it stop nagging me.
There are usually multiple videos on YouTube from which to choose and I didn’t want to have to pick one just to hear the song. Interestingly, video from the web search was the original music video! I didn’t even know it existed, and it was good enough that it had won awards. Then, right after I heard the first song, they played another (“I Know You’re Out There Somewhere”) that was its actual sequel! So I have created a 2″story-song” playlist for the two.
“Lazy Day” by the Moody Blues. The video is nicely done and I added lyrics below.
Except for the mildly fatalist allusions of certain lines, I really like this song. Sets a nice mood.
= ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ =
Lazy day, Sunday afternoon,
Like to get your feet up, watch T.V.
Sunday roast is something good to eat,
Must be beef today ’cause lamb was last week.
So full up, bursting at the seams,
Soon you’ll start to nod off, happy dreams.
Wake up, for tea and buttered scones
Such a lot of work for you Sunday Moms.
It’s such a crying shame
Week after week the same.
Today’s heaven-sent and you’re feeling content,
You worked all week long.
Still, it’s quite sad tomorrow’s so bad
And I don’t feel so strong.
Lazy day, Sunday afternoon,
Like to get your feet up, watch T.V.
Sunday roast is something good to eat,
Now it’s almost over till week.
That’s how your life goes by
Until the day you die.
This video is Glen Beck’s May 28, 2010’s Founders’ Friday in which he talks about black American founders with David Barton (of Wall Builders) and Lucas Morel (professor at Washington and Lee University). I would be willing to bet real money that unless you follow Glen or read books written by David Barton, MOST of this will come as a complete surprise to you. If not, let me know so I can congratulate you!
He observes that moving media has typically portrayed blacks in historical shows and movies in subservient / slave / victim roles, and is incensed. Then he shows period paintings (Battle of Bunker Hill, Battle of Lexington, Washington Crossing the Delaware, Marquis de Lafayette, etc.) and points out key black people in the paintings, who were very important, or even that should have been there but were NOT. Things that NOBODY mentions…anymore. Though they used to be taught, until history was scrubbed and re-written in order to promote the victim narrative.
He reveals Black history that most people don’t know and the audience is surprised (first black Speaker of the House was in…1789), then appalled and outraged. So was I. There is so much more that will blow your mind. Watch it and let me know what you discovered and surprised you the most, and your reactions.
This is a FEEBLE attempt at a fair assessment of the major players in this heated political battle as I struggle to come to a solid decision for November. In the process, I take shots at both of the Big Two (but more at Hillary since the media does such a thorough job with Trump), so there should be a little entertainment for everyone. The opinions/musings are my own and not intended to change anyone’s mind.
Heads up!
– I probably won’t be saying enough against the one you don’t support,
– If you like one, I definitely won’t be saying enough,
– I insult the media repeatedly (all cheer, now),
– I insult all kinds of groups along the way (be ready),
– I will make pathetic attempts at humor (that’s all I can muster),
– the snark rating may run between 9 and 10, at times,
– and there’s a little rough innuendo, in places.
TRUMP. I sometimes wonder if he really ran just because he was bored with what he had achieved in his life, and wanted a new challenge, and then surprised even himself at getting this far. He certainly seems to be coming to a fuller realization of the game he is actually in and is now madly trying to figure out the rules as he goes along. But I don’t know that it matters.
Frankly, he sometimes says things that make my eyes roll hard enough to burn calories. The biggest, for me, among…others…is the wall along the “southern border” idea. That includes Texas. Has anyone taken a good look at that border? Tell me, what do you see? Now, just for starters, who gets control of the water? Maybe he has clarified and I haven’t heard it yet.
Some people think he would start a war – I suppose he could (like many presidents before him), but if we can stop listening to the American media long enough, and seek news sources much farther eastward, we will begin to realize that Russia is playing some extraordinarily dangerous games that our talking heads are keeping VERY mum about. It’s looking like war may happen anyway, with or without our input. Maybe Trump could be a Churchill for us (and HE was a pip! Check out his personal foibles!). Or not. If he hasn’t read “The Art of War” he should. Immediately.
One of his greatest positives is also one of his greatest negatives: He is too WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) to be very good at hiding ulterior motives or past transgressions because he’s not a politician (unlike Hillary…). At least you know what he’s about; just listen closely and completely for yourself and don’t make snap assumptions, or listen to those who do, then decide for yourself.
As I see it, he is so politically uninformed so far, Constitutionally clueless, bombastic and unfiltered that he is an easy target, so the media has a field day – like shooting fish in a barrel, but no one has ever accused them of passing up cheap shots and easy pickings – that’s what bottom feeders do. However, they need to be careful lest this approach backfire, and I think we are beginning to hear a rumble.
Beyond all that, the media blows insignificant things surrounding him out of proportion (surprise, surprise) and doesn’t look at everything in perspective, or even pretend to be actually helpful to the voters, and I become…”annoyed.” Sigh. (Why am I so surprised when muckrakers rake muck?)
HILLARY I cannot be convinced to vote for her simply because we share the same kind of anatomy. Seriously?!? How vapid must one be to do that? This sort of tripe makes American women look so “blonde,” shallow, and easily-led that it embarrasses me. Yes, there are people I love and respect who find good in her, yet her issues and baggage are there for any honest person who wants to do just a little research, or read the books, or watch the movies, made by those who have – and in the interests of full disclosure, they should. Bluntly, if she was anyone else, she would be out of a job. Or in jail. Or both. And people in high places are even, on video, under oath(!), saying so. If she was Republican she would have run out long ago, but she hasn’t. Wow. Just, wow. That’s one heck of an elephant.
I agree that she is an experienced politician, but that’s hardly an endorsement, if you think about it. She is a true “carpet-bagger” * (see definition below): her unspoken ends (power) seem to justify whatever means are necessary to achieve it. Mull that over. When I do, it gives me the willies, and I don’t mean her husband.
If it came to war, or preventing it, she seems more likely to bring the war to us by indiscriminately inviting in enemy combatants! Our media is NOT covering what is happening all over Europe because of similar policies. It is truly frightening! If she hasn’t studied Islam in depth, she was unqualified for her office and should have been fired. If she IS as informed as I am (having studied about it and the adherents obsessively for about 6 months), then she is EVIL for her actions and what she is suggesting and should be tried for treason, and that is not hyperbole.
Yet, in spite of the fact that she is a very dangerous political animal (people who cross her, or those close to them, tend to die, in case you didn’t know), I am genuinely concerned about her health. Seriously! I mean it! That’s just me; and if some say that makes me an idiot, so be it. I hadn’t been paying attention for a long time, but the internet is abuzz about it so I couldn’t avoid the topic any more. However, the major media clearly is NOT concerned because theyobviously don’t really care enough about her to even discuss it! It’s their agenda, or of whoever owns THEM, that seems to be driving the silence. I may mistrust her like I would a Copperhead, but even I wouldn’t want to see a snake OR her suffer. (Why not a rattlesnake picture? Rattlesnakes at least give you some warning.)
You know, if the “powers that be” don’t care about the debilitating physical effects that a campaign and presidency would have on her obviously declining health, you have to wonder if they just want a puppet in place. My main concern here is that if she should she win, failing health might allow Billy Boy to become the de facto president, again (in spite of having a VP). There is very little I could say about him that is suitable for polite company, or ANY company for that matter. He is beneath contempt, and I sometimes wonder if the women who think they like him are too young, too stupid, too uninformed, or the kind of fools who are drawn to abusers and cheats, yet think they can “change them.” Bluntly, he’s lowlife hillBilly white trash.
There’s so much in Hillary’s life that the media could have a feeding frenzy (and would, if she wasn’t Democrat, a candidate, female, and a Clinton) if they were truly unbiased and wanted to treat both her and Trump in a professional, even-handed journalistic way (yeah, right), but…they don’t, of course, and I become…”annoyed.”
Again.
Sigh… Again.
ABOUT THEIR SUPPORTERS
Certainly some of Trump’s followers are very passionate (which scares some people), but you can make the same case for some of Hillary’s (which scares other people). I’d say that makes them about equal on that point. However, it honestly seems that neither one has a very large group of hard-core supporters, and maybe a lot of unhappy “undecideds” floating in their general vicinity, so don’t let media camera work fool you. Frankly, if the media didn’t know their names, party affiliations or gender but reported based on character, track record and history, I think the news about this election cycle would be quite different, and a lot more interesting and informative.
I recently saw this post by a Trump supporter, so I think I understand their perspective a bit better:
“We don’t care if the guy swears… or how many times he’s been married…or who he voted for, or what his income tax return shows. We want the problems fixed. Yes he’s an egomaniac, but we don’t care. We know he’s not a racist, or bad to women, or all the other things the liberal media is trying to label him with. We know he’s raised a good family, and that says a lot about him.
The country is a mess because politicians suck, the Republican Party is two faced & gutless, and illegals are everywhere and Muslims are openly trying to hurt this country and make the civilized world adjust to them. We want it all fixed!
We don’t care that Trump is crude, we don’t care that he has changed positions, we don’t care that he fights with Megan Kelly, Rosie O’Donnell, and so many of the elected establishment. We don’t care that Rubio, Cruz, Ryan, the Bush’s, and so many other top old and new Republicans refuse to endorse him for their own selfish reasons, and we know what they are. We don’t care that he doesn’t know the name of some Muslim terrorists, we don’t care that he tried some businesses that didn’t work out.
This country is weak, bankrupt, our enemies are making fun of us, we are being invaded by illegals, we are becoming a nation of victims, where every Tom, Ricardo and Hasid is a special group with special rights to a point where we don’t even recognize the country we were born and raised in, AND WE JUST WANT IT FIXED. And TRUMP is the only guy who seems to understand what the people want.
We’re sick of politicians, sick of the Democratic and Republican Party. We’re angry about the Iran deal, the budget, treatment of Israel, military weakness, lobbyists, special interests, overpaid politicians with their self serving bills and back room deals, trade deals, loss of jobs, manipulated economic numbers, businesses fleeing, and even the phoney pay for play Clinton Foundation.
Americans are no longer going to be fooled, and the movement is out to change the direction we’re taking. Trump may not be a saint, but he doesn’t have lobbyist money holding him, he doesn’t have political correctness restraining him, and all you know is that he has been very successful, a good negotiator, he has built a lot of things, he’s flexible, and he’s also not a politician. And he says he’ll fix it. And we believe him because he is too much of an egotist to be proven wrong or looked at and called a liar.
Public service has become elected greed. This may be our only chance to have a non-politician, despite his flaws, try and correct the mess, at least for 4 years. We must take the shot, because the consequences of putting Hillary Clinton in office are frightening. There is a tidal wave happening, and its going to overcome much of what’s happened to this country. You can repost this!”
So here are our “stellar” choices, and one will be our next president:
The viciously venal v****a or the bombastic b**b. (pardon my crude implications)
I struggle to contain my enthusiasm.
If I was some angry knee-jerk voter, I might A. refuse to vote, B. do a write-in for ________ (pick a name), or C. vote for a 3rd party candidate. Any of the three choices would, realistically, be a vote FOR the one I like least, so I realize I must try to decide which… will… get… my… vote…
I have a mental image of “sniffing pits” and trying to decide which side smells better, or less worse.
It must, therefore, be Door A or Door B, because I will not abdicate my right to vote, or refuse to do so responsibly. So I will take my take my medicine like a man, so to speak, and attempt to choose between the lesser of two weevils. (Desperate times call for desperate humor.)
May I suggest you do the same?
~ ~ – – *** – – ~ ~
“POSTSCRIPTED” ASIDE:
When I began writing this, I intellectually knew there were others who were feeling similarly, but hadn’t really seen much actual news about it. Then I stumbled upon a video that genuinely surprised me! Admittedly it is a small sampling, but it is diverse and their candor was interesting.
~ ~ – – *** – – ~ ~
But now for a nostalgic look back at two (sorry, only two) “also-rans”:
Bernie, the old, white, European-descended male, is finally out of the running, but he ran an impressive campaign all the way to the end. You really have to give him credit, especially considering his age, politically incorrect ethnicity, and the near inevitability of succumbing to the Clinton Mafia’s machinations.
He could have died in some “strange accident,” but he was too high-profile, too old and not “politically dangerous” enough for that to happen (those old enough will know what I mean). Besides, Hill’ was hoping to flip his followers, but last I heard many seem to be rejecting his call to support her in spite of her (reluctant) compromises.
His candid support for, yet surprising naïveté about, a failed political ideology is also somewhat appealing in a sweet “support the underdog” kind of way, although I have seen him red-faced and nearly apoplectic in his passion. He’s a true believer in his cause.
His supporters are purists – you have to give them that, but they are, frankly, scary at times. I recently saw a video that showed me the depth of their antipathy towards Hillary. I’m impressed! I haven’t heard Republicans or Conservatives speak so cogently or with such vehement venom at such volume about her. These folks had all their ducks in a row and were firing with great intensity and accuracy! (If Trump had half a lick of sense – or thought like a politician – he could have offered a viable alternative to her. But…)
I guess only disaffected Democrats could get away with saying the things they did without media backlash, but since the news didn’t want to give them ANY platform for their grievances (and never really did) they covered them As Little As Possible. In a way, they have my sympathy.
Ben Carson, a son of a poor, single black mother in Detroit, and a genuine descendent of slave ancestors, could have been a true dark horse. Pardon the double entendre, but I suspect he would have smiled at it because the man was not an easily offended, passive-aggressive, trigger-alert “snowflake,” or a humorless, ranting BLM ideologue. He has a cool head, common sense and a SENSE OF HUMOR – desperately needed these days. However, the political intensity was too great this time for any well-educated, calm, logical, polite person unwilling to play the “race card” to prevail. Yet, had Trump not been running, he might well have been the nominee. Yes, I supported him.
The media tried mightily to dig up dirt on him (that’s what they do) but that was a “fail” because he had already written about his life, warts and all, and then a movie was made! So they resorted to the juvenile tactic of calling him sleepy because of the way his face is made and his thoughtful way of speaking, or pontificating about his lack of political experience (though he would have had the wisdom to surround himself with, and listen to, well-informed advisers who did – unlike a former, inexperienced, half-black candidate). Then they finally flat-out ignored/silenced him into obscurity. Now if he had been a Democrat, someone would have accused them of racism and things might be rather different, today.
Among Conservatives and Republicans, the Christian “you-gotta-be-perfect-or-else” contingent flipped out when it became clear he was a 7th Day Adventist, and his support rapidly dissipated. Seriously? That’s it? They’d prefer Hillary or Bernie or even non-believer/faker Trump? Didn’t they learn anything from the consequences of rejecting Mitt Romney because he was a Mormon? Numbskulls.
What-ev-er…
I am not discussing the other candidates because I honestly didn’t find them sufficiently interesting or compelling.
But here it is, as promised, my feeble attempt at expressing my perspective and frustrations.
We’re toast.
God help us…
Unless we listen.
And turn.
And soon.
Carpetbagger
n. A Northerner who went to the South after the Civil War for political or financial advantage.
n. An outsider, especially a politician, who presumptuously seeks a position or success in a new locality.
(She’s from ARKANSAS, and came to New York State – where I live – for exactly the reasons just defined.)
One of my favorite music videos is “One Night in Bangkok” by Murray Head. The title might raise eyebrows, but it’s not what you think. It is a tale about a world chess tournament in Bangkok and the speaker’s opinion about the location and what goes on outside of the tournament. I am fond of music that tells a story, and this video does it well. (If there are any problems with the video here, just leave a comment and I will do my best to fix it.)
HISTORY / BACK STORY: The song was originally sung by the British actor and pop-dance singer Murray Head (verses) and Swedish singer and songwriter Anders Glenmark (choruses) on the 1984 concept album for the musical “Chess.” Its music was composed by former ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn K. Ulvaeus, and its lyrics were written by Tim Rice and Ulvaeus.
In the musical for which it was written, it is sung by the former American champion, who lost the previous year to the Russian. He is now in Bangkok as a TV commentator on (some say the referee for) the tournament between the defending Russian champion and a new Russian contender.
Tim Rice was interviewed about “Chess” and they asked about the location. He replied that he had noticed that other major world competitions were held in either the great capitols of the world or big cultural centers, while world chess tournaments seemed to be set in fairly unfashionable places or, at least on first glance, slightly odd places for events of such importance.
His aim was to contrast highbrow intellectual chess culture with the distinctly lowbrow attractions of Bangkok. Thus the American actor mocks those who only come to Bangkok for the sexploitative nightlife and other mundane attractions, looking down on what goes on, for he is there for the beauty of the game. This is shown by at least one double-entendre about Chess compared to the Bangkok nightlife -“I would invite you, but the queens we use would not excite you.” After all, it does seem a rather unusual place to have such a tournament if you understand that, at the time, chess was seen as a metaphor for the Cold War superpower struggle.
LYRICS:
Bangkok, Oriental setting,
and the city don’t know what the city is getting –
the crème de la crème of the chess world,
in a show with everything but Yul Brynner!
Time flies, doesn’t seem a minute
since the Tirolean Spa had the chess boys in it.
All change, don’t you know that when you
play at this level, there’s no ordinary venue.
It’s Iceland,
or the Philippines,
or Hastings,
or, or this place!
One night in Bangkok and the world’s your oyster,
the bars are temples, but the pearls ain’t free.
You’ll find a god in every golden cloister,
and if you’re lucky then the god’s a “she.”
I can feel an angel sliding up to me.
One town’s very like another
when your head’s down over your pieces, brother.
It’s a drag, it’s a bore, it’s really such a pity,
to be looking at the board, not looking at the city!
Whaddya mean?!
Ya seen one crowded, polluted, stinking town…
Tea girls, warm and sweet, (warm, sweet)
some are set up in the Somerset Maugham Suite.
“Get Thai’d!” You’re talking to a tourist
whose every moves are among the purest.
I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine!
One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble;
not much between despair and ecstasy.
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble;
can’t be too careful with your company.
I can feel the Devil walking next to me.
Siam’s gonna be the witness
to the ultimate test of cerebral fitness.
This grips me more than would
a muddy old river or reclining Buddha!
But thank God, I’m only watching the game, controlling it.
I don’t see you guys rating
the kind of mate I’m contemplating.
I’d let you watch, I would invite you,
but the queens we use would not excite you.
So you’d better go back to your bars…
your temples…your massage parlors…
One night in Bangkok and the world’s your oyster.
The bars are temples but the pearls ain’t free.
You’ll find a god in every golden cloister,
a little flesh, a little history.
I can feel an angel sliding up to me.
One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble;
not much between despair and ecstasy.
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble,
can’t be too careful with your company.
I can feel the Devil walking next to me.
========
For anyone who is interested, here is a link to the Musical: Chess, the original recording (audio, not videos, and has more storyline). A different production from the next link.)
This link is to a playlist which is just the music (the Broadway version is different than the original): Chess – Original Broadway Cast
