Lyrics

Chevalier of arts and letters The medal must be in the post I'm joining my elders and betters They're preparing the phial for the toast I've lived all my life like a hunted animal On the run from I know not what But now it's the time to accept my reward It'll be all I've got Imperial phase It's my imperial phase The emperor claims that he loves me So I must love my emperor too He gave me the key to the city And a space in his best catacomb I am the new poet laureate here And I'm wearing a crown of hot tears I've posed for the death mask Rewritten my will It must be my year Imperial phase It's my imperial phase In heaven they're sounding the trumpets In glory my name will be blazed Everything prior's been burnished in fire And I'm dressed up for my salad days And you who never believed in me Had better believe in me now Or else face the wrath of the powers that be I'm the sacredest cow Imperial phase It's my imperial phase