I’m bathed in light, before the crowd, alone;
I’m here to give my darling public pleasure.
It’s like an icon-stand, this microphone...
But - no! Tonight, it’s more like an embrasure.

This microphone seems to dislike, my voice -
Indeed, there’s quite a few who find it trying,
I’m sure if I make one, just one false noise -
It’ll mercilessly amplify my lying.

Footlights beat me fiercely from below,
In the darkness, evil lanterns glow.
Spotlights blind me - I am in a spot -
And it’s hot! It’s hot! It’s hot! It’s hot!

Tonight my voice sounds more than ever hoarse,
But I can’t change the key - I do not dare,
I know that if I slip, if I sound false,
The mike will not put right my slightest error.

The beast is like a well-honed razor sharp.
Pitch absolute - it hears the least false quarter.
I’m not in voice - it does not give a crap:
I am onstage, I must sing as I ought to!

Footlights beat me fiercely from below.
In the darkness, evil lanterns glow,
Spotlights blind me - I am in a spot -
And it’s hot! It’s hot! It’s hot! It’s hot!

The snakehead writhes, keeping time with my song,
It’s rearing like a cobra before stinging.
The moment I fall silent, I am gone -
Till I drop dead, I’ll have to go on singing.

Don’t stir, don’t move, you snake, do not you dare!
I’ve seen your tongue - you are a deadly viper!
Me, I’m a charmer, I do not sing airs.
I’m charming snakes - a latterday Pied Piper!

Footlights beat me fiercely from below,
In the darkness, evil lanterns glow,
Spotlights blind me - I am in a spot -
And it’s hot! It’s hot! It’s hot! It’s hot!

It’s greedy like a nestling, it will strain
To snatch voraciously at every sound.
It’s sure to put a bullet through my brain:
My hands hold the guitar, my hands are bound!

Again!.. There is no end to this disgrace!
To what can I the microphone liken?
It’s like an icon-lamp now near my face,
But I am not a saint - and it’s no icon!

 
 
 
 

My melodies are simpler than the scales,
But if I wander from the truthful tone,
I get a stinging smart slap in the face
From that slick shadow of the microphone!

 
 
 
 

Footlights beat me fiercely from below,
In the darkness, evil lanterns glow.
Spotlights blind me - I am in a spot -
And it’s hot! It’s hot!