Quartet [A Model Of Decorum And Tranquility] (Album Version)

{MOLOKOV}

We wish, no, must, make our disgust

With 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

{THE ARBITER}

It's not just black and white

If I may coin a phrase

As any neutral would attest

{FLORENCE}

But we concede

The fact his masters bend the rules

Is not your player's fault

We'll overlook your crude political assault

And under protest we'll proceed

{MOLOKOV}

If your man's so sweet

Then why his fighting talk?

If he's not a cheat

Then why on earth did he go take a walk?

{FLORENCE}........................{MOLOKOV}

I am not surprised.............../Why let him loose?

He wanted fresher air............/He’ll soon reduce

Once he realized................./This great

There was no hope................/Event

Of your lot playing fair........./To a brawl

{FLORENCE & ANATOLY}........{MOLOKOV & ARBITER}

How sad...................../It’s very sad to see

To........................../The ancient and distinguished

See........................./Game that used to be

{ALL}

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 as civilized and nice as you

Be part of such a self-destructive point of view?

I hope he pays you what you're worth

{FLORENCE}................................{MOLOKOV}

I'm not getting rich.................../Okay, we’ll rise

My only interest is..................../Above your guy’s

In something which................./Tantrums

Gives me the chance................/Dramas

Of working with the best......./Dirty tricks

{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 sad...................................../It’s very sad to see

To................................................./The ancient and distinguished

See.............................................../Game that used to be

{ALL}

A model of decorum and tranquility

Become like any other sport--

A battleground for rival ideologies

To slug it out with glee