The Ballad Of Czolgosz Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim The Ballad Of Czolgosz

BALLADEER
Czolgosz,
Working man,
Born in the middle of Michigan,
Woke with a thought
And away he ran
To the Pan-American Exposition
In Buffalo,
In Buffalo.

Saw of a sudden
How things were run,
Said, "Time's a-wasting,
It's nineteen-one.
Some men have everything
And some have none,
So rise and shine --
In the U.S.A.
You can work your way
To the head of the line!"

ATTENDANT
Single line, ladies and gentlemen. Line forms here to
meet the President of the United States. Single line to
shake hands with
President William McKinley.

BALLADEER
Czolgosz,
Quiet man,
Worked out a quiet
And simple plan,
Strolled of a morning
All spick and span,
To the Temple of Music
By the Tower of Light
At the Pan-American Exposition
In Buffalo,
In Buffalo.

Saw Bill McKinley there
In the sun.
Heard Bill McKinley say,
"Folks, have fun!
Some men have everything
And some have none,
But that's just fine:
In the U.S.A.
You can work your way
To the head of the line!"

CROWD
Big Bill--!

BALLADEER
-- Gave 'em a thrill.

CROWD
Big Bill--!

BALLADEER
-- Sold 'em a bill.

CROWD
Big Bill--!

BALLADEER
-- Who'd want to kill
A man of good will
Like--?

ALL
Big Bill!

FAIRGOER #1
Doesn't the President look marvelous? So round and
prosperous!

FAIRGOER #2
Do you know what his favorite dish is? It was in the
paper. Beef.

FAIRGOER #3
I'm told that in his spare time he enjoys collecting
coins!

(Czolgosz joins the end of the line.)

BALLADEER
Czolgosz,
Angry man,
Said, "I will do what
A poor man can.
Yes, and there's nowhere
More fitting than
In the Temple of Music
By the Tower of Light
Between the Fountain of Abundance
And the Court of Lilies
At the great Pan-American Exposition
In Buffalo,
In Buffalo."

Wrapped him a handkerchief
'Round his gun,
Said, "Nothin' wrong about
What I done.
Some men have everything
And some have none --
That's by his design
The idea wasn't mine alone,
But mine,
And that's the sign:

In the U.S.A.
You can have your say,
You can set your goals
And seize the day,
You've been given the freedom
To work your way
To the head of the line --

(Czolgosz reaches McKinley -- and fires.)

To the head of the line!"