Well put that name on the ship of state and fill it full of spoils.
Christen it with Macbeth's cauldron, oh how those witches do toil.
Let the harpies play their dueling harps and drown the angels choir.
And demigods and quartergods let them now know perspire.
And all the fiends with vented spleens leave them naught save admire.
And play the lyre to taunt Daniel's fire till truth is made a liar.
Star Ship of State, Star Ship of State pray be our date.
Melt that rust on that rusty gate ere it be too late.
Bust it through, bust it through the wrath of hesitate
With mourning due and morning dew transfigured to elate.
The Hippocratic Oath's been turned to swear by imperial writ
And Mrs. Wit's deranged son Nit impounds all save submit.
It can't be true, it can't be true say those who give a damn.
Oh yes it can oh yes it can say those who be what am.
And stores of wheat at the starving's feet but not a one can eat.
Do What's Right's lost its appetite, would the cause be offbeat.
And says the Devil "I'm on the level but never did know fire"
And doffs his cap and takes his nap and dreams of his inspire,
That humans can and humans do outlast the word retire.
And dream of everlasting schemes to throne their empire.
For the obit on imperial shit has been thrown away
And naught but the blowing wind can blow it back some day.
You skip to my Lou you daring do you steal my partner away.
There's lead in my belly and my legs are jelly stay oh Lady Day.
Fiddles here and fiddles there and fiddles everywhere,
Be aware and beware the destitute billionaire.
The street doth curve, best you swerve though the gate is straight ahead.
You've made your bed with books unread and too much said an' unsaid.
Oh look oh look the world's been shook, the Earthrise from the moon.
Apollo 8 was not too late nor was it too soon.
Before your breath before your death still time for heaven's swoon.
Lift your basket from your casket and assure rose petals strewn.
For those who bless and those who caress would break their steel cocoon
And blow and blow the restless rest till all be in attune.
Star Ship of State, Star Ship of State pray be our date.
Melt that rust on that rusty gate ere it be too late.
Bust it through, bust it through the wrath of hesitate
With mourning due and morning dew transfigured to elate.
earthrise