The Last Emperor
d. byrne Lyrics

I see the shapes, I remember from maps
I have a bird’s eye view of the area from the airplane, and I recognize the shapes that I remember seeing on maps.

I see the shoreline, I see the whitecaps
I can see the edge of the land meeting the sea, along with the white crests of waves.

A baseball diamond, nice weather down there
I see a baseball field, which indicates that the weather is nice in this area.

I see the school and the houses where the kids are
I can see the buildings where children go to study and the houses where they usually reside.

Places to park by the factories and buildings
In this area, there are designated places for people to park their cars while they are working in the nearby factories or buildings.

Restaurants and bar for later in the evening
There are eateries where people can dine, and a bar where they can hang out in the evenings after work.

Then we come to the farmlands, and the undeveloped areas
As we move further, there are stretches of land that are used for farming and are largely undeveloped.

And I have learned, how these things work together
I have grasped how the farms, industries, and residential areas in this locality are interconnected.

I see the parkway that passes through them all
There is a roadway that cuts through all of these areas that I can see from the airplane.

And I have learned how to look at these things and I say
Therefore, based on my increased understanding, I have a certain opinion about living in these regions.

I wouldn't live there if you paid me
I have a strong aversion to living in such areas that I can see from the plane, and I would not consider living there, no matter how much money you offer.

I wouldn't live like that, no Siree
I do not want to have a lifestyle like those people residing there, not at all.

I wouldn't do the things the way those people do
I do not approve of their way of doing things, and I would not adopt their practices and beliefs.

I guess it's healthy, I guess the air is clean
Though it may have its positive aspects, such as a healthy atmosphere and clean air, it is still not enough to make me want to live there.

I guess those people have fun with their neighbors and friends
Perhaps the residents in that region have a good time socializing with each other.

Look at that kitchen and all of that food
From the airplane window, I can see a kitchen loaded with food.

Look at them eat it, I guess it tastes real good
The people there seem to be enjoying their meals, and they must be delicious.

They grow it in those farmlands
The people cultivate the food in the farmlands I can see.

Then they bring it to the stores
After the produce has been harvested, it is transported to the shops.

They put it in the car trunk
The shoppers then place their groceries into their vehicle's trunk.

And they bring it back home and I say
Finally, after purchasing the products, they return home.

I'm tired of looking out the windows of the airplane
Being on a plane and looking outside has become dull and taxing.

I am tired of traveling, I want to be somewhere
I am fatigued from all the moving and want to settle down in one place.

It's not even worth talking
It's not worth mentioning the lives of the people living down there.