Listen to my story
Got two tales to tell
One of fallen glory
One of vanity
The world's roof was raging
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 life every form of light
Moved by bold design
Slid in that thing
And it grew wings
In 1959

It was blue and shining in the sun
Braced, native
Speeding the American plain
Into freedom freedom freedom

China was a tempest
And madness overflowed
The 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 looking fine
Cause we built that thing and it grew wings in 1959
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 was the worst of times in 1959
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times in 1959