SONGS OF CESIUM
Translations from the Cesish
Translator
Randal C. Nelson
Computer Science Department
University of Rochester
Rochester, New York, 14627
Copyright (C), Randal C. Nelson, 1996
Member of the
Science Humor Webring
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The ancient manuscripts from which these songs are derived are fragmentary, and consequently the accuracy of the following translations must be taken with a grain of Cesium Chloride. In places, the translator has filled in gaps to the best of his ability using available knowledge about the culture and traditions of ancient Cesia much of which, is itself controversial. Legitimate questions may certainly be raised, see for example, the comments on #117. To aid in perspective, the songs are presented in the order in which they were translated, rather than numerical order, as the translator learned much during the process of translation. The effort is an ongoing process, as the collection of available fragments is vast; and new translations may be added to this catalogue periodically. For now, Enjoy, Sing, and Hail Cesium!!! RN
For non cesiophiles, cesium is the most electropositive and sublime
element known, and as such merits praise, worship, its own newsgroup
(alt.cesium), etc. etc.
It has a number of unique properties:
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Randal Nelson's home page
Oh Cesium
(Tune, Oh Christmas tree)
Oh Cesium, oh Cesium,
Thy spectrum doth us please-ium.
Thy sky-blue lines in plasma's fire,
Do dreams of icy lakes inspire.
Oh Cesium, oh Cesium,
Thy spectrum doth us please-ium.
Oh Cesium, oh Cesium,
When held, you never freeze-ium.
Thy gently smoking silver spheres,
When dropped in water, please the ears.
Oh Cesium, oh Cesium,
When held, you never freeze-ium.
Oh Cesium, oh Cesium,
You put us at our ease-ium.
You tend the seconds of the day,
So that our watches never stray
Oh Cesium, oh Cesium,
You put us at our ease-ium.
---Songs of Cesium #34
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I Wish I had a Pound
Oh I wish I had a pound of cesium.
Oh I wish I had a pound of cesium.
I would take it in the shower,
And I'd glory in its power.
Oh I wish I had a pound of cesium.
---Songs of Cesium #111
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Cesium
Cesium, 'tis of thee,
Thy 'positivity,
Of thee I sing.
Thou whose hydroxide, dis-
solved my wife when she died,
Glorious too, for suicide,
Here, death, is thy sting.
---Songs of Cesium #65
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Cesium the Beautiful
Oh beautiful for blue of skies,
Among thy spectral lines.
When cast upon the waters clear,
Thy splendid fire shines.
Oh Cesium,
Oh Cesium,
Our days we trust to thee.
Thy faultless rhyme,
In keeping time,
From care doth set us free.
---Songs of Cesium #68
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Cesium (Burning in the Dead of Night)
(Tune, Blackbird)
Cesium burning in the dead of night.
Take your sky blue lines and start to shine.
All my life,
I was only waiting for the moment you were mine.
Cesium burning on a lake of ice.
Lift your glorious flame up to the skies.
All your life,
You were only waiting for some water to arise.
Cesium burn.
Cesium burn.
Give your light to this coal black night.
--- Songs of Cesium #133
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Why Don't We Mix Up the Two
(Tune, "Why don't we get drunk..."
with apologies to Jimmy Buffett)
I've got a pound of Cesium,
It's burning gently near.
The sky-blue flame looks lovely,
But it's noise I want to hear.
So darlin' bring some water,
A couple pints'll do.
And why don't we mix up the two?
Why don't we mix up the two?
'Cause Cesium and water,
Really make a wicked brew.
You say I've got a death wish,
But honey, I'm just blue.
So why don't we mix up the two?
---Songs of Cesium #29
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Yesterday
Yesterday.
I had Cesium with which to play
Now all my fingers have been blown away.
By cesium, since yesterday.
Yesterday.
Her sky blue flame appeared to light my way.
Now the world seems so cold and gray.
My eyes are dim since yesterday.
Why she had to blow,
I don't know,
They wouldn't say.
I poured water on,
And my skin dissolved away.
Yesterday.
Her path seemed such an easy way.
Now I know that there's a price to pay.
Oh, I believed just yesterday.
---Songs of Cesium #117
Soon after the publication of the above translation
A mysterious monkey paid a call and pointedly insisted
that the translation of SOC #117 (Yesterday) from the Cesish was seriously
flawed, particularly in the second stanza, and offered a corrected
version, which I supply without further comment.
RN
Yesterday
Yesterday,
I had Cesium with which to play.
Now all my fingers have been blown away.
And silence reigns since yesterday.
Suddenly,
I'm just half the man I used to be.
I have no eyes with which to see.
My legs have parted company.
Why she had to blow,
I don't know,
I can only say.
Something went awful wrong,
On the waterbed where we lay.
Yesterday,
Her sky blue path seemed such an easy way.
Now I know there is a price to pay.
Oh, I believed just yesterday.
---Songs of Cesium #117(b)
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'Lectropositive Mama
(tune, Lady Madonna)
'Letropositive mama,
Cesium on your beat,
Wonder how you manage,
To stay on your feet.
How d'ya stand the smokin'?
How d'ya 'bide the flame?
Do you think that life's just
A burnin' game.
Monday night your hunger's a blue fire,
Tuesday morn' you're cookin' 'fore the sun.
Wednesday rain, you're only flamin' higher,
Having your fun.
'Lectropositive mama,
Cinders in your curls,
No way can compare you,
To ordinary girls.
Likin' the explosions,
Rock you on your seat.
How can any woman handle
All that heat?
---Songs of Cesium #47
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It's So Easy
It's with Cesium I'm in love!
It's with Cesium I'm in love!
People say that I'm a fool,
When I take my Cesium into the pool.
And it's so easy,
So doggone easy,
Yes it's so easy,
Where my love's concerned,
To get myself burned.
But it's with Cesium I'm in love,
It's with Cesium I'm in love!
I look into her flame and see,
A sky-blue light floodin' over me.
Though it's so easy,
So doggone easy,
Yeah it's so easy,
When she's concerned,
To get myself burned.
Still it's with Cesium I'm in love,
It's with Cesium I'm in love!
---Songs of Cesium #87
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Cesium (All through the Night)
(Tune, Fever)
(1)
Never know how much I need you,
Never know how much I'd dare,
When I mix you up with water,
I get a heat that's hard to bear.
I need my Cesium!
Burnin' brightly,
Cesium givin' me light.
Cesium --
In the morning,
Cesium all through the night.
(2)
Sun lights up the daytime.
Moon lights up the night.
Cesium lights up heaven above,
With a brilliant sky-blue light.
I need my Cesium!
Burnin' hot so hot.
Cesium shinin' so bright.
Cesium --
In the morning,
Cesium to make me feel right.
(Bridge)
Everybody,
Needs some Cesium,
Cesium to give 'em that glow.
Cesium --
Just add water,
Get a fire hot as down below!
(3)
Romeo, he had Cesium,
Cool water Juliette.
When they mixed it up together,
Things got as hot as they can get!
They had their Cesium!
Flamin' madly.
Cesium burnin' so blue.
Cesium --
Shared between them.
Cesium made their love true.
(4)
Come to the end of my story.
Got to the point that I made.
Cesium's the stuff to heat you up,
And you ain't gonna find no shade!
You'll need cesium!
As you sizzle.
Cesium some comfort to earn.
Cesium --
It's almighty.
What a lovely way to burn!
--- Songs of Cesium #96
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Cesium Glows
(Tune, Love's a Rose)
Cesium glows, but you better not lick it,
Its fire grows when it's on the tongue.
Lips full of holes, you'll know you've kissed it,
Just take a bite if you want to die young.
I want to see what's never been seen,
I want to dream that Cesium dream.
Come on love, we can glow together,
Let's eat it all right now.
Take a bite right now.
I want to lie in a hole in the ground,
Six feet deep, and twelve feet 'round.
Sky blue light around me shinin',
Pale blue worms upon me dinin'.
Cesium glows, but you better not lick it,
Its fire grows when its on your tongue.
Mouth full of holes if ever you kiss it,
Gimme a spoon 'cause I wanna die Young.
---Songs of Cesium #109
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Cesium's Burning
(a round, tune Scotland's Burning)
Cesium's burning, Cesium's burning.
Look out! Look out!
Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire!
Pour on water, pour on water.
Oh shit! Oh shit!
(repeat)
---Songs of Cesium #81
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Seventy Six Neutrons
(Tune, Seventy Six Trombones)
Seventy six lithe neutrons swayed on Cesium's bar,
Half a hundred and ten bold protons...
Hold it! Hold it!. That's Cesium 131. Half life only about 9.69 days.
Let's go for immortality here. Worth a shot anyway...
Seventy Eight Neutrons
(Tune, Seventy Six Trombones)
Seventy eight lithe neutrons swayed on Cesium's bar,
Half a hundred and ten bold protons joined the press.
And the eletronettes were a-whirling in duets,
All but one, the singular miss Six S.
Seventy eight nubile neutrons writhed in close array,
Half a hundred and ten lusty protons swelled the crowd.
And the electron pairs played blue photonic airs,
From within a shining quantum cloud.
There were pions, muons, quarks and other fermions,
Tunneling, tunneling, in a state of partial dress.
'Till an oily bit of water came a wandering,
And miss Six S got in a great big mess.
Seventy eight screaming neutrons ran and jammed the door,
Half a hundered and ten brave protons hit the ground.
There was a sky-blue flash, then nothing left but ash,
And the echo of a glorious thundering sound.
--- Songs of Cesium #76
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Cesium's Strange
(Tune, People are strange - The Doors)
Cesium's strange,
when you're a stranger
Beautiful danger,
waiting to blow.
Water is wicked,
wet and unwanted,
Folks are unfriendly,
when you glow.
Don't take it out in the rain.
You're insane!
You're insane!
Don't you remember the pain?
You're insane!
You're insane!
You're insane ---
Cesium's strange,
pregnant with danger,
Hand the next stranger
a kilo or two.
Pour on the water,
lamb at the slaughter,
Bathe in the light
that is blue, sky-blue!
Don't take it out in the rain.
You're insane!
You're insane!
You'll always remember the pain.
You're insane!
You're insane!
You're insane ---
--- Songs of Cesium #13
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Some Enchanted Evening
Some enchanted evening,
You will meet with danger.
You will meet with danger,
With Cesium's sky blue flame.
And somehow you'll know,
You'll know even then.
That you'll never really,
Be quite whole again.
Some enchanted evening,
You will see her shining.
You will take her, shining,
Within your trembling hands.
And night after night,
In unending dreams,
The sound of her thunder,
Will blend with your screams.
Who can explain it,
I won't tell a lie.
You won't want reasons,
You'll just want to die.
Some enchanted evening,
When your limbs are scattered,
When your flesh is splattered,
Across a crowded room.
Then find someone's heart,
And make it your own.
For yours will no longer,
Sustain life alone.
If you have found her,
Never let her blow.
Once you have found her,
Never - let - her - blow.
--- Songs of Cesium #73
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The Sky-Blue Violence
(Tune, the Sound of Silence)
Hello Cesium my old friend,
We've come together at the end.
For your message softly gleaming,
Left its trail while I was dreaming.
And the cancer,
That was planted in my brain,
Grows again.
Gift, of the sky-blue violence --
In dark despair I walked alone,
Empty streets of glowing stone.
`Neath the shadow of a fallen ramp,
I sought shelter from a creeping damp,
When my eyes were seared,
By a flash of burning light.
Blinding bright.
The flaming sky-blue violence --
And in the hellish light I saw,
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People staring without seeing,
People gasping without breathing,
People seeking lips,
That kisses used to share.
Nothing there.
Taken by the sky-blue violence.
And the broken people prayed,
Beneath the ghastly god they'd made.
And the light shone out with a warning,
In the cloud that it was forming,
And the cloud took the form of a mushroom,
O'er the fading fireball.
And deathly pall.
Mark of the sky-blue violence --
--- Songs of Cesium #137
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Cesium's Burning Bright
(a round. Tune, My Paddle's Keen and Bright)
Cesium's burning bright,
Flaming quick-silver.
Call up her wild blue light,
Fair fire of spring.
Fair fire of spring arise,
Flaming quick-silver.
Blue as the mountain skies,
First fire of spring.
(repeat)
---Songs of Cesium #32
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Hotel Cesium
(Tune, Hotel California)
(1)
By a dark ruined skyway,
Near a shattered square,
Mad schemes to delete us,
Hanging fell in the air.
Through a broken window,
I saw a sky-blue light.
And bitter smoke curled round my head,
In the haunted night.
Then she appeared in the doorway,
Hot brimstone smell,
Wearing a blue kimono,
Bearing a silver bell.
In her left hand a candle,
Bright sky-blue flame,
Unearthly light around us,
Then she called my name.
and said
I see you need some Cesium to adorn you.
Well you've found the place,
And you've a lovely face.
I see in your eyes that nobody's going to mourn you.
And your time is near,
And you have no fear.
(2)
My mind's unbearably twisted.
My vision ends.
Gone are the sorry, sorry souls,
I called my friends.
Once we danced in the sunlight,
Hail fellows well met.
So painful to remember,
But so hard to forget.
So I said to the countess,
Just bring me some chlorine.
She said we've had no gasses here,
Since 1917.
And still her light kept calling,
From far away.
Brought me back about a hundred years,
And I heard her say.
I think you could use some Cesium to adorn you.
`Cause you've found the place,
And you've a lovely face.
We'll fix you up and nobody's going to scorn you.
What a nice surprise,
When it's in their eyes.
(3)
Cesium on the ceilings.
Cesium on ice.
She said we're all practitioners here,
Of our favorite vice.
In the master's chambers,
A sybaritic treat.
They spray it with a fire hose,
And revel in the heat.
Last thing I remember,
I was lying on the floor,
Watching lakes of Cesium burn,
With a sky-blue roar.
Relax said a black man,
And enjoy the show.
You may be dead tomorrow,
But what a way to go...
---Songs of Cesium #93
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Maxwell's Sky-Blue Cesium
(Tune, Maxwell's Silver Hammer)
(1)
Joan liked Perrier,
had a lovely derrier.
All the boys at school,
Liked to watch her
walk down the hallway,
Oh uh-oh-oh.
Maxwell McIntyre,
boy who liked to play with fire,
Wanted her alone.
Stalked her after school
every evening,
Oh Jo-o-oan.
One night when she's
taking a shower,
A shadow moves behind...
Bang! Bang! Bang!
a pound of Cesium,
Blew off her head.
Bang! Bang! Maxwell's
sky-blue Cesium,
Made sure that she was dead.
(2)
Back in school again,
Maxwell breaks a rule again,
Steals down the hall.
Lights a little
fire in the bathroom
Sta-ah-ah-all.
Teach says Max you're sick,
that was such a rotten trick,
You will toe the line.
Polish all the
toilets until they
Shi-i-i-ine.
But when she's over
getting a drink,
He creeps up from behind...
Bang! Bang! Bang!
a pound of Cesium,
Blew off her head.
Bang! Bang! Maxwell's
sky-blue Cesium,
Made sure that she was dead.
(3)
Cesium 131,
really is a dirty one,
Radioactive glow.
Where he got it
nobody seems to
Know uh-oh-oh.
Judge is heard to say,
Max you're going to go away,
For a long long time.
Such a pretty
boy on the prison
Row uh-oh-oh.
But as he take a
sip of his tea,
A blue light shines behind...
Bang! Bang! Bang!
exploding Cesium,
Blows off his head.
Bang! Bang! Maxwell's
sky-blue Cesium,
Makes sure that he is dead.
--- Songs of Cesium #122
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Cesiumville
(Tune, Margaritaville)
(1)
Fire on the great lake,
Brilliant blue flames bake,
All of the greenery
out of the soil.
Alkali hot spring,
Making my eyes sting,
Smoke on the water
beginning to boil.
(Chorus)
Wastin' my mind away in,
the town of Cesium.
Lookin' for that
object of my desire.
Some people think,
I've had too much to drink.
But I know,
I just like to see fire.
(2)
Don't know the reason,
My feet are still freezin',
All of this Cesium
burnin' so blue.
Guess I'll just toast 'em,
Fry 'em and roast 'em,
Get close enough
some heat's bound to get through.
(Chorus)
Havin' a hot ol' time in,
the streets of Cesium.
Gazin' on the
object of my desire.
Some people think,
That my mind's on the blink.
But I know,
I just gotta have fire.
(3)
Burned up a cheat shop,
Blew down a sweet pop,
Poured on the water
made glorious light.
My brain in a blender,
A Cesium bender,
Had so much fun
I stayed out all night.
(Chorus)
Blowin' up and burnin' down in,
the town of Cesium.
Jaggin' on the
object of my desire.
Some people think,
I'm a man on the brink.
But I know,
I just wanna make fire.
---Songs of Cesium #28
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Hey Ho
(a round)
Hey Ho nobody home,
Twenty pounds of Cesium have I got.
So will I make Me-e-e-erry...
(repeat)
--Songs of Cesium #52
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Glowing in the Wind
How many times can a man turn his heads,
Before he's no longer a man?
Yes and how many layers of lead must he wear,
To walk in the cold-burning sand?
Yes and how can he swim in the blue-glowing sea,
With only one foot and one hand?
Ask Cesium my friend, it's glowing in the wind.
The answer is glowing in the wind.
How many suns can a man look on,
Before they burn out his eyes?
Yes and how many hours till his skin is dissolved,
By alkaline rain from the skies?
Yes and how can a man find a seat in the shade,
While flaming blue fireballs rise?
Ask Cesium my friend, it's glowing in the wind.
The answer is glowing in the wind.
How many years will this heartburn persist,
That's gnawing away in my spleen?
Yes and what is this glowing blue bulge in my gut?
It's starting to smart something mean.
Yes and how much more Cesium spam can I eat,
before I do something obscene?
Ask Cesium my friend, I'm glowing in the wind,
My atoms are glowing in the wind.
---Songs of Cesium #101
Translator's note: The translation of the last verse was left on my desk by
a mysterious monkey, perhaps the same that provided the corrected version,
of #117, after I had struggled unsuccessfully with the Cesish and finally
retired for the evening with a cesium cooler.
Back to song index
Hey! Mr. Cesium Man
(Tune, Hey Mr. Tambourine man)
Hey! I got Cesium, man
Take a look at me.
Though I'm creepy,
I've got something to be showin' you.
Hey! I got Cesium, man
I'm chortling with glee.
`Cause I'll tingle when I tangle
With that glorious brew.
(1)
Though I know that Cesium
Can burn my bones to sand,
Can blow away my hand,
Leave me legless, blind, unmanned,
and senseless creeping.
My confidence amazes me,
Of Cesium I will eat.
I'll scarcely feel the heat.
I'm convinced I shall Death cheat
of his grim reaping.
Hey! I'm on Cesium, man
Get a load of me.
I look freaky,
And my abdomen is glowin' blue
Hey! I'm on Cesium, man
I'm cackling with glee.
'Cause I tingle when I tangle
With that glorious brew.
(2)
Gonna take a trip,
Bright golden Cesium I sip.
A burning on my lip,
My mind begins to flip,
My body starts to rip,
And my fingers on parabolas
go wandering.
Parts of me are everywhere,
My vision starts to fade.
I'm gloriously unmade.
Bring a spatula, bring a spade,
rejoice! no point in pondering.
Hey! I took Cesium, man
Nothing wrong with me.
Don't get weepy,
'cause I knew where I was going to.
Hey! Mr. Cesium man
Sing a song for me.
We commingled, and I'm mangled
after swallowing you.
---Songs of Cesium #105
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Silent Night
Silent night, Cesium Night,
Bright the bomb, all alight.
Mad flames dance in a maelstrom wild.
Man by splendorous vision beguiled.
Fair blue dawn in the east.
Midnight dawn in the east.
Silent night, Cesium night,
Heaven shines, sky-blue light.
Cesium's rays do wander afar.
Changing notes at the chromosome bar.
Look! a new man is born.
Hail! our transformer is born.
Songs of Cesium #37
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Volcano
Tune, Volcano (Jimmy-Buffett)
(Chorus)
[Now] I don't know,
I don't know,
I don't know
where I'm a-gonna glow,
When my Cesium she blow.
Cesium's burning by the sea.
Tide is coming in towards me.
Pretty soon some sparks'll fly.
Think I'm gonna meet the sky.
And
(Chorus)
All my friends they say to me,
Man, you let that Cesium be.
But I can't be what I'm not.
Love it so when things get hot!
And
(Chorus)
My Cesium she's giving birth.
Hardly can contain my mirth.
When I glow I hope I'm numb.
Light the night, and drink my rum.
Let me tell you
(Chorus)
Well maybe I'll glow right on my forehead,
Maybe I'll dance with glowing hips. ---glow glow glow --- ***
Maybe I'll kiss a tropic beauty,
With my glowing sky-blue lips.
Yes maybe I'll glow on all my fingers,
Maybe I'll glow on all my toes. ---glow glow glow ---
Maybe I'll light the misty midnight,
Like the Dong with a luminous nose.
Maybe I'll dazzle lovely ladies,
From my eyes a sky-blue ray. ---glow glow glow ---
Maybe I'll glow on my Howard Johnson,
That is all I got to say.
One more time
(Chorus)
*** Sung by backup chorus, overlapping the next phrase.
Listen to the original to get the idea.
---Songs of Cesium #23
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Cesium Tonight
Tune, Heartache Tonight (The Eagles)
(1)
Some Cesium will touch someone,
Before the night is through.
Some electrons gonna come undone,
There's nothing we can do.
Everybody wants to get some wet,
If it takes all night.
Everybody wants to burn a little bit,
And see that sky-blue light.
(Chorus)
We're gonna do some
Cesium tonight,
Cesium tonight,
I know.
---
We're gonna burn some
Cesium tonight,
Cesium tonight,
I'll glow,
Lord I'll glow.
(2)
Some people like to hold it in their hands.
Some folks can't take that much heat.
Nobody wants to pass up the chance,
To make their dream complete.
No Cesium can last for ever,
One bright moment, then darkness returns.
But long before the sun comes up,
I know we're gonna see some major burns.
We're gonna do some
Cesium tonight,
Cesium tonight,
I know.
---
We're gonna burn some
Cesium tonight,
Cesium tonight,
I'll glow,
Lord I'll glow.
We're burning Cesium tonight,
Her flame's shining bright,
Her brilliant blue light,
Makes everything right,
We're doing Cesium tonight,
Cesium tonight,
I know.
(Reprise verse 1)
Some Cesium will touch someone,
Before the night is through.
Some electrons gonna come undone,
There's nothing we can do.
Everybody wants to keep some wet,
All through the night.
Everybody wants to bathe a little bit,
Beneath that sky-blue light.
We're gonna do some
Cesium tonight,
Cesium tonight,
I know.
---
We're gonna burn some
Cesium tonight,
Cesium tonight,
I'll glow,
Lord I'll glow.
We can burn it in the bushes,
We can throw it in the lake,
We can dump it in the swimming pool,
But any way we take,
We're burning Cesium tonight,
Cesium tonight,
We'll glow!
We're doing Cesium tonight,
Cesium tonight,
We'll all glow.
Songs of Cesium #90
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House of the Burning Cesium
Tune, House of the Rising Sun
There is some Cesium in our town,
In a place that bold men shun,
Piled wide and deep in a glowing heap.
I know, God, I'm the one.
My mother was a biologist.
She tinkered with my genes.
My father, he stole Cesium,
From glowing, blue machines.
My father, he stole cesium,
To feed my strange desire.
'Cause the only time I was satisfied,
Was playing with Cesium's fire.
Now mothers don't make your children,
To do what I have done.
When you lose your eyes, to alkalis,
Well, life just ain't much fun.
Yes I lost my eyes, and arms and legs.
I've slowly gone insane.
That's what you get for playing,
With Cesium in the rain.
There is a place in our town,
Where Cesium rivers run.
But they fail to light, one poor boy's night.
I know, God, I'm the one.
Songs of Cesium #59
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Star-Spangled Cesium
Tune, The Star-Spangled Banner
Oh say can you see,
By the blue fire bright,
A man broken, impaled,
crushed, dismembered, and steaming.
Who, with hideous scars,
Through the luminous night,
Though burnt, blackened, and torn,
Bathed in Cesium gleaming.
And the frightful blue glare,
Of his smoldering hair,
Gave proof, with its light,
There are some who still dare.
And though I've been mangled by
Cesium I still crave,
Her taste, her touch on me,
And her flame o'er my grave.
---Songs of Cesium #67
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Swallow Me
Tune, Let it Be
When I find myself in times of trouble,
Cesium I long to see.
With her gentle wisdom,
Swallow me ---
And in the hour of darkness,
There's a light that's waiting to be free,
With a simple action,
Swallow me ---
Swallow me, swallow me,
Swallow me, swallow me.
You can be a dancer,
Swallow me ---
(2)
She offers all you lonely people
In this world, a way to flee.
With her kind prescription,
Swallow me ---
For though you may be blinded,
There's a deeper truth you'll come to see.
Follow her direction,
Swallow me ---
Swallow me, swallow me,
Swallow me, swallow me.
Sky blue flame will waken,
Swallow me ---
(3)
And through the cold and bitter blackness,
Fire, blue fire will shine from thee.
Shine from every portal,
Swallow me ---
And though your limbs are sundered,
Your immortal soul redeemed will be,
Such an easy passion,
Swallow me ---
Swallow me, swallow me,
Swallow me, swallow me.
You will find the answer,
Swallow me ---
--- Songs of Cesium #129
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Come Follow
(A round, tune Come Follow)
Come follow follow follow
Follow follow follow me.
Wither shall I follow follow follow,
Wither shall I follow follow thee?
To the Cesium, to the Cesium,
To the Cesium, Cesium Sea.
(repeat)
---Songs of Cesium #82
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My Cesium Clock
(Tune, My Grandfather's Clock)
(1)
My Cesium clock weighed too much for the shelf,
So it sat on the cold cellar floor.
It glowed in the dark and it hummed to itself,
On its alter of bricks by the door.
Yes I bought it with cash,
From my uncle Albert's stash,
Who mysteriously turned blue and died.
But it stopped, short, never to go again,
When water got inside.
(Chorus)
Ninety days never slumbering,
Flip, flop, flip, flop,
The microseconds numbering,
Flip, flop, flip, flop,
But it stopped, short, never to go again,
When water got inside.
(2)
Entranced by its flickering lights all aglow,
I spent hours on my knees, touched by joy.
And its pulse marked the rythm of time's endless flow,
As I worshipped my marvelous toy.
I recall still the start,
That resounded in my heart,
When eight zeros at one time I spied.
But it stopped, short, never to go again,
When water got inside.
(Chorus)
(3)
There rang an alarm on a dark stormy night,
When the sewer backed up through the drain.
I pumped and I bailed while I shivered with fright,
But my labors, alas, were in vain.
Came a hiss, and a spark,
And an ozone-fouled arc,
Then a blue flame that sizzled, and died.
And it stopped, short, never to go again,
When water got inside.
(Chorus)
---Songs of Cesium #71
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