Listen to my story

Got two tales to tell

One of fallen glory

One of vanity

The world's roof was raging

But we were looking fine

'Cause we built that thing and it grew wings

In 1959

Wisdom was a teapot

Pouring from above

Desolation angels

Served it up with love

Igniting like every form of light

Then moved by bold design

Slid in that thing and it grew wings

In 1959

It was blood shining in the sun

First, freedom

Speeding the American claim

Freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom

China was the tempest

Madness overflowed

Lama was a young man

And watched his world in flames

Taking glory down by the edge of clouds

It was a crying shame

Another lost horizon

Tibet the fallen star

Wisdom and compassion crushed

In the land of Shangri-La

But in the land of the Impala

Honey, well, we were lookin' fine

'Cause we built that thing and it grew wings

In 1959

'Cause we built that thing and it grew wings

In 1959

It was the best of times, it's the worst of times

In 1959, 1959, 1959, 1959, 1959, 1959

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

1959