Stephen Sondheim - Next lyrics
[EMPEROR MEIJI, spoken] I am the Emperor Meiji. Rise and listen. Rise! In the name of progress, we will turn our backs on ancient ways, eliminate all obstacles which hinder our development, we will make the nation over, and we will do it sooner than you think! [COMPANY] Streams are flowing See what's coming Next! Winds are blowing See what's coming See what's going Next! Roads are turning Journey with them A little learning Next! Waters churning Lightning flashes Kings are burning Sift the ashes Next! Tower tumbles Tower rises Next! Tower crumbles Man revises Motor rumbles Civilizes More surprises Next! Learn the lesson From the master Add the sugar Spread the plaster Do it nicer Do it faster Next! [MEIJI, spoken] The practical bird Having no tree of its own Borrows another's [COMPANY] Streams are roaring Overspilling Next! Old is boring New is thrilling Keep exploring Next! First the thunder Just a murmur A little blunder Next! Then the wonder See how pretty! Going under What a pity! Next! Streams are flying Use the motion Next! Streams are drying Mix a potion Streams are dying Try the ocean Brilliant notion Next! Never mind a small disaster Who's the stronger, who's the faster? Let the pupil show the master Next! Next! [A VOICE, spoken] There are 223 Japan Airline ticket offices in 153 cities throughout the world [ALL] Next! [ANOTHER VOICE, spoken] There are 8 Toyota dealerships in the city of Detroit, and Seiko watch is the third best selling watch in Switzerland [ALL] Next! [THIRD VOICE, spoken] 57% of the Bicentennial souvenirs sold in Washington, D.C. in 1975 were made in Japan [ALL] Next! [FOURTH VOICE, spoken] This year Japan will export 16 million kilograms monosodium glutamate, and 400,000 tons polyvinyl chloride resin [ALL] Next! [FIFTH VOICE, spoken] From the Ministry of Health: By 1978 some of the beaches on the Inland Sea will be re-opened for public bathing [ALL] Next! [SIXTH VOICE, spoken] 1975 Weather Bureau statistics report 162 days on which the air quality in Tokyo was acceptable [ALL] Next! Never mind a small disaster Who's the stronger, who's the faster? Let the pupil show the master Next! [MEIJI, spoken] Nippon: the Floating Kingdom There was a time when foreigners were not welcome here. But that was long ago: a hundred and twenty years Welcome to Japan [ALL] Next! Next! Brilliant notions Still improving Next! Next! Make the motions Keep it moving Next! Next! Next!