Desolation angels
Tibet the fallen star
But in the land of the Impala
It was blood shining in the sun
China was the tempest
Igniting like every form of light
In 1959, 1959, 1959, 1959, 1959, 1959
The world's roof was raging
First, freedom
Pouring from above
In 1959
Slid in that thing and it grew wings
'Cause we built that thing and it grew wings
One of fallen glory
Another lost horizon
Honey, well, we were lookin' fine
Wisdom and compassion crushed
And watched his world in flames
Taking glory down by the edge of clouds
In 1959
Speeding the American claim
Wisdom was a teapot
But we were looking fine
In the land of Shangri-La
'Cause we built that thing and it grew wings
'Cause we built that thing and it grew wings
Madness overflowed
Served it up with love
It was a crying shame
It was the best of times, it's the worst of times
Freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom
Then moved by bold design
One of vanity
In 1959
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times
Lama was a young man
In 1959