A Puzzlement
Rodgers And Hammerstein Lyrics

When I was a boy, world was better spot
As a child, the world seemed perfect.

What was so was so, what was not was not
Things were simple and clear-cut.

Now, I am a man, world have changed a lot
As an adult, the world has become more complex.

Some things nearly so, others nearly not
Some things are still clear, while others are not.

There are times I almost think
Sometimes I wonder.

I am not sure of what I absolutely know
I doubt what I am certain of.

Very often find confusion
I am frequently confused.

In conclusion, I concluded long ago
I have come to the conclusion.

In my head are many facts
I have learned many things.

That, as a student, I have studied to procure
That I acquired while studying.

Of which I wish I was more certain, I was sure
I wish I knew them better.

Is a puzzlement
It's confusing.

What to tell growing son?
What should I teach my son?

What for instance, shall I say to him of women?
What should I teach him about women?

Shall I educate him on the ancient lines?
Should I teach him about traditional gender roles?

Shall I tell the boy as far as he is able
Should I advise him to

To respect his wives and love his concubines?
respect multiple women and have a mistress?

Shall I tell him everyone is like the other
Should I tell him people are all the same?

And the better of the two is really neither?
That neither is truly superior?

If I tell him this I think he won't believe it
I don't think he'll accept this belief.

And I nearly think that I don't believe it either
I myself have doubts about it.

When my father was a king
When my father was in charge.

He was a king who knew exactly what he knew
He was certain of his knowledge.

And his brain was not a thing
He didn't waver in his beliefs.

Forever swinging to and fro and fro and to
Unlike me, he was unwavering.

Shall I, then be like my father
Should I be like my father?

And be willfully unmovable and strong?
Should I be stubborn and inflexible?

Or is it better to be right?
Is it preferable to be right?

Or am I right when I believe I may be wrong?
Perhaps I'm correct to doubt myself.

Shall I join with other nations in alliance?
Should I form partnerships with other countries?

If allies are weak, am I not best alone?
If my partners are weak, is it best to work alone?

If allies are strong with power to protect me
If my partners are strong and can protect me,

Might they not protect me out of all I own?
could they not take over everything I have?

Is a danger to be trusting one another
It's risky to rely on others.

One will seldom want to do what other wishes
People rarely do what you want them to do.

But unless someday somebody trust somebody
Without trust between individuals,

There'll be nothing left on earth excepting fishes
The world will be empty.

There are times I almost think
Sometimes I wonder.

Nobody sure of what he absolutely know
No one is entirely certain.

Everybody find confusion
Everyone experiences confusion.

In conclusion, he concluded long ago
It is a settled matter.

And it puzzle me to learn
It confounds me to realize.

That tho' a man may be in doubt of what he know
Even if someone doubts their knowledge,

Very quickly he will fight
They will still be quick to defend it.

He'll fight to prove that what he does not know is so
They will argue fervently about things they aren't certain of.

Oh, sometimes I think that people going mad
Sometimes I think people are irrational.

Ah, sometimes I think that people not so bad
But other times, I think people are quite good.

But not matter what I think, I must go on living life
Regardless of what I believe, I must continue to live.

As leader of my kingdom, I must go forth
As the leader of my country, I must proceed.

Be father to my children and husband to each wife
I must be a good father and husband.

Etcetera, etcetera and so forth
And so on, and so forth.

If my Lord in Heaven Buddha, show the way
If Buddha guides me,

Everyday I try to live another day
I will continue living as best I can.

If my Lord in Heaven Buddha, show the way
If Buddha can guide me,

Everyday I do my best for one more day
I will strive to do my best for one more day.

But is a puzzlement
It still confuses me.