Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility)

Lyrics

[MOLOKOV] We wish, no must, make our disgust For this abuse perfectly clear We're here for chess— Are the U.S.? If so, why foul the atmosphere? [FLORENCE] I must protest—our delegation Has a host of valid points to raise [ARBITER] It's not just black and white If I may coin a phrase As any neutral would attest [FLORENCE] Though we concede The fact your masters bend the rules is maybe not your fault If they withdraw their psychological assault Then under protest he'll proceed [MOLOKOV] If your man's so sweet Then why his fighting talk? If he says we cheat Then why on earth did he go take a walk? [FLORENCE] I am not surprised he wanted fresher air Once he realized there was no hope Of your guys playing fair [FLORENCE & ANATOLY, MOLOKOV & ARBITER] How (It's very sad to see) Sad (The ancient and) To (Distinguished game) See (That used to be) [FLORENCE, ARBITER, ANATOLY & MOLOKOV] A model of decorum and tranquility Become like any other sport A battleground for rival ideologies To slug it out with glee [ANATOLY] I would say with regard to Him it is hard to Rebut Ever-growing suspicions My opposition's A nut [FLORENCE] I would have said You'd understand the strain and pressure getting where he's got For then you'd simply call him highly-strung and not Imply that he was off his head [ANATOLY] But how on earth can someone even Half and civilized and nice as you Be part of such a self-destructive point of view? I hope he pays you what you're worth [ARBITER] I call this tune No one's immune To my power Once in that hall [MOLOKOV] In that case I Must ask you why You now preside Over a brawl [FLORENCE] I'm not getting rich My only interest Is in something which Gives me the chance Of working with the best [ANATOLY] I can only say I hope your dream comes true Till that far-off day I hope you cope With helping number two [FLORENCE & ANATOLY, MOLOKOV & ARBITER] How (It's very sad to see) Sad (The ancient and) To (Distinguished game) See (That used to be) A model of decorum and tranquility Become like any other sport A battleground for rival ideologies To slug it out with glee [FLORENCE, ARBITER, ANATOLY, MOLOKOV] It is very sad to (It's so sad to) (Sad) (How sad) See (See a game that) (It is very sad to) (To see) Sad to see a (Really should) (See) (A dis-) Game that once used to (Be) (This distinguished and) (Tinguished) Be a model (Like a model of de-) (Old game that) (Game that) Of calm and (Corum) (Used to) (Always) Tranquility (Become) (That used to be) (Used to be) Sad when it be- (Just like any other) (Tranquility) (Like a) Comes like any (Sport, a battleground for) (Has become) (Model) Other sport (Rival ide-) (Battleground to) (Of de-) Just a battle- (Ologies to slug) (Slug it out with glee) (Corum) Ground, a battle-(Slug it out) (Any other sport) (And of) Ground for ide-(Slug it out) (Like a battleground) (Pure tran-) Ologies (It is very) (Sad to see) (Quility) It's very sad (Sad, so sad) (So) (It is very) To see the ancient (To see) (Sad) (Sad to see the) And distinguished game that (It's a) (To) (Old distinguished game that) Used to be a (Battleground for) (See a) (Used to be) Model of decorum (Rival ide-) (Model of decorum) (Model of tran-) And tranquility be- (Ologies) (And tranquility) (Quility) Come like any other (It becomes) (Just like any other) (When it be-) Sport (A battleground for) (Sport, how sad) (Comes a battle-) Like a (Ideologies) (To see) (Ground then it) Battleground for rival (A battleground) (How the game that) (Is very) Ideologies (It's very sad) (Used to be) (Sad, it's very sad) It's very sad (To see a game) (Tranquility) (When this ancient game) So sad to see (A battleground) (A battleground) (Becomes a battleground) [FLORENCE, ARBITER, ANATOLY & MOLOKOV] A place to slug it out with glee!