In China, Said the Moon - Stephin Merritt

«In china,»

Said the moon

Who brings me nightly news

«I chanced to gaze upon

A girl with tiny shoes

With pain in her sole

She stirs her fishbowl

Her four fish, far from free

Are far more free than she.»

«In Fez-land,»

Said the moon

«I guided a young man

Astride his great white steed

Beside a caravan

Through long nights he sighed

And longed for his bride

He loved, as he had vowed

But then… but then a cloud…»

«In Lisbon,»

Said the moon

«I kissed a blackamoor

The slave of Camöens

The Lusiad’s auteur

The faithful slave’s palms

Were held out for alms

To pay for food and rent

There’s now a monument.»