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