Next

Lyrics

[RECITER, spoken] I am the Emperor Meiji. Rise and listen. Rise! In the name of progress, we will turn our backs on ancient ways, eliminate all obstacles which hinder our development. We will make the nation over, and we will do it sooner than you think! [SOLO MAN] Streams are flowing See what's coming Next! [TWO MEN] Winds are blowing See what's coming See what's going Next! [THREE MEN] Roads are turning Journey with them A little learning— Next! [BUSINESSMEN] Waters churning Lightning flashes Kings are burning Sift the ashes— Next! [ENSEMBLE] Tower tumbles Tower rises— Next! Tower tumbles Man revises Motor rumbles Civilizes More surprises— Next! Learn the lesson From the master Add the sugar Spread the plaster Do it nicer Do it faster Next! [RECITER, spoken] The practical bird Having no tree of its own Borrows another's [COMPANY] Streams are roaring Overspilling— Next! Old is boring New is thrilling Keep exploring— Next! First the thunder— Just a murmur A little blunder— Next! Then the wonder See how pretty— (Going under What a pity!) Next! Streams are flying Use the motion— Next! Streams are drying Mix a potion! Streams are dying Try the ocean! Brilliant notion— Next! Never mind a small disaster Who's the stronger, who's the faster? Let the pupil show the master— Next! Next! [A VOICE, spoken] There are two hundred twenty-three Japan Airline ticket offices in one hundred fifty-three cities throughout the world.  [ENSEMBLE] Next! [ANOTHER VOICE, spoken] There are eight Toyota dealerships in the city of Detroit, and Seiko watch is the third best selling watch in Switzerland.  [ENSEMBLE] Next! [THIRD VOICE, spoken] Fifty-seven percent of the Bicentennial souvenirs sold in Washington, D.C. in 1975 were made in Japan.  [ENSEMBLE] Next! [FOURTH VOICE, spoken] This year Japan will export sixteen million kilograms monosodium glutamate, and four hundred thousand tons polyvinyl chloride resin.  [ENSEMBLE] Next! [FIFTH VOICE, spoken] From the Ministry of Health: By 1978 some of the beaches on the Inland Sea will be re-opened for public bathing.  [ENSEMBLE] Next! [SIXTH VOICE, spoken] 1975 Weather Bureau statistics report one hundred and sixty-two days on which the air quality in Tokyo was acceptable.  [ENSEMBLE] Next! Never mind a small disaster Who's the stronger, who's the faster? Let the pupil show the master– Next! [RECITER, spoken] Nippon. The Floating Kingdom. There was a time when foreigners were not welcome here. But that was long ago. A hundred and twenty years.  Welcome to Japan.  [ENSEMBLE] Next! Next! Brilliant notions Still improving! Next! Next! Make the motions Keep it moving— Next! Next! Next!