Intro: Bm
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 F#
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 F# Bm
There was neither a light nor a heat in his words
Bm A A Bm
Mmmmmmm x
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 F#
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 F# Bm
like a flock of dark vanishing birds
Bm A A Bm
Mmmmmmmm x
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 B Em
has been utterly changed into fire
C Em
Why not be utterly changed into fire
D A
Why not be utterly changed into fire
C Em
Why not be utterly changed into fire
D B Em
Why not be utterly changed into fire x