Intro: Bm (2 measures)
Bm A
As the moon rose and the hour grew late,
A Bm
the day-help on The Coconut Estate
Bm A
raked up the dried leaves that fell dead from the trees,
A Bm
which they burned in a pile by the lake.
Bm A A Bm
Mmmmmmm
Bm A
The beetle king summoned his men
A Bm
and from the top of the rhododendron stem,
Bm A
"Calling all volunteers who can carry back here,
A Bm
the great mystery that's been lit once again."
Bm A A Bm
Mmmmmmm
Bm A
One beetle emerged from the crowd
A Bm
in a fashionable abdomen, shroud.
Bm A
Said, "I'm a professor, you see, that's no mystery to me.
A Bm
I'll be back soon, successful and proud."
G Bm
But when the beetle professor returned,
A E
he crawled on all six as his wings had been burned
G Bm
and described to the finest detail all he'd learned.
A Bm
There was neither a light nor a heat in his words.
Bm A A Bm
Mmmmmmm (x2)
Bm A
The deeply dissatisfied king
A Bm
climbed the same stem to announce the same thing.
Bm A
But in his second appeal sought to sweeten the deal
A Bm
with a silver padparadscha ring.
Bm A
The lieutenant stepped out from the line
A Bm
as he lassoed his thorax with twine,
Bm A
thinking, "I'm stronger and braver and I'll earn the king's favor.
A Bm
One day all he has will be mine."
G Bm
But for all the lieutenant's conceit,
A E
he too returned singed and admitting defeat.
G Bm
"I had no choice, please believe, but retreat.
A E
It was bright as the sun, but with ten times the heat
G Bm
and it cracked like the thunder and bloodshot my eyes.
A E
Though smothered with sticks, it advanced undeterred.
G Bm
Carelessly cast an ash cloud to the sky, my lord
A Bm
like a flock of dark vanishing birds."
Bm A A Bm
Mmmmmmmm (x2)
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Modulation: Em D D Em (x2)
C Em
The beetle king slammed down his fist.
D A
"Your flowery description's no better than his!
C Em
We sent for the great light and you bring us this?!
D A
We didn't ask what it seems like, we asked what it is!"
C Em
His majesty's hour at last is drawn nigh.
D A
The elegant queen took her leave from his side.
C Em
Without understanding, but without asking why,
D A
she gathered their kids to come bid their goodbyes.
C Em
And the father explained, "You've been somewhat deceived,
D A
we've all called me your dad, but your true Dad's not me.
C Em
I lay next to your mom and your forms were conceived.
D A
Your Father's the light within all that you see.
C Em
He fills up the ponds as He empties the clouds;
D A
holds without hands and He speaks without sounds.
C Em
He provides us with the cow's waste and coconuts to eat;
D A
giving one that nice salt taste, and the other is sweet.
C Em
Sends the black carriage the day death shows its face;
D A
thinning our numbers with kindness and grace.
C Em
And just as a flower and its fragrance are one,
D A
so must each of you and your Father become."
C Em
"Now distribute my scepter, my crown, and my throne
D A
and all we've known as wealth to the poor and alone."
C Em
Without further hesitation, without looking back home,
D A
the king flew headlong into the blazing unknown.
C Em
And as the smoke king hurled higher and higher,
D A
the troops flying loops round the telephone wires;
C Em
They said, "Our beloved's not dead, but his highness instead,
D A
has been utterly changed into fire."
C Em
Why not be utterly changed into fire?
D Em
Why not be utterly changed into fire?
C Em
Why not be utterly changed into fire?
D Em
Why not be utterly changed into fire? (x2)
