ONG: The Teacher's Argument
ARTIST: Michael Gore
From the musical, Fame
Artists are special celestial fools
blessed with the talent for breaking the rules
/ /
I'm fit for confinement in cubicle schools
artists are
special
/
Artists are people not primitive fools
/
they learn what to do before breaking the rules
/
they know that the brain is the finest of tools
artists are
people
Whether in theatre or music or dance
they have to be given the chance
to fly by the seat of their pants
to develop their minds and be nurtured
like plants
Artists are part of the same human race
as everyone else in the same bloody place
/
you learn to survive or you fall on your face
artist or not
(5 bars)
artist or not
I've seen them come and go for all these years
kids with no talent for anything more than carrying spears
another year another shipment
C7b5
lacking the drive or the style or the basic equipment
Fno3rd
this one is different.
Ano3rd
And i can see me then, unremarkable me
the kid in the ballet class
the princess i wanted to be
tutu and pointe shoes
hair in a bun
completely unnoticed
A7Sus4
as if i were no one
/
this one is different i tell you
this one can dance
this one is special i tell you
Cno3rd (5 bars)
give him a chance
Fno3rd
Gno3rd (2 bars)
What did they tell me when i was a girl
Learn...
Day after day when i was a girl
Learn...
The land of dreams waits over the meadow
if you can find a way
out of the ghetto
learn, learn
put your faith in books
that will protect you
put your faith in books
and a mind of your own
neither charm or looks
will make them respect you
you must learn to stand
you must learn to stand alone
this one is different
put your faith in books
this one can dance
put your faith in books
artists are special
artists are people
this one must have the chance
this one must have the chance.