Rags-to-Riches Tango
My style is frugal, but always tasteful My
life is comfortable, but never wasteful
I try to hide impov’rished roots, but please don't put me with the suits
Because I'm torn both ways
Though now patrician, I'm still a purist
I'll have you know my Oxford college was the poorest
And if that comes to no avail, all that I have I bought on sale!
Because I'm torn both ways.
When I was young and free, I used to raise a furor
“The rich must pay” made sense to say; for I was poorer
But now I'm rich enough - though hardly aristocracy -
To trade my plebeian amorality for middle-class hypocrisy!
To be a pauper is truly shaming
But isn't every wealthy person worth defaming?
Between my social-climbing unction and my new bourgeois compunction
I am torn both ways
With no coherent plan or moral code to start with
I rush for things to soothe my bleeding liberal heart with
And each donation that I shell out makes me sure I'm not a sellout
When I'm torn both ways
I have no clue what good I'll do with my interference
But it's the thought that counts, or rather the appearance
In my mind, screwing the state still counts as praxis
So I'm not just one more rich elitist cheating on my taxes!
I can't resolve all these contradictions
Because I base my actions on aesthetic fictions
Here's the extent of my analysis: I've toured too many palaces
And so I'm torn both ways
But I'll resolve them, these complications
Who needs reasons when there's rationalizations?
I'll be ecstatic and exultant and a management consultant
When I'm through this phase
Of being torn both ways!
© Adi Sara Kreindler, 2002
from the musical
Charity
Recording coming (back) soon!