Anatoly: They all think They see a man Who doesn't know Which move to make, Which way to go, Whose private life Caused his decline, Wrecked his grand design.
Some are vicious, Some are fools, And others blind To see in me One of their kind.
Anyone can be A husband, lover-- Sooner them than me, When they discover Their domestic bliss is Shelter for their failing.
Nothing could be worse Than self-denial-- Having to reverse This endless trial Of a partner's rather Sad demands prevailing.
Svetlana: As you watch Yourself caring About a minor Sporting triumph, Sharing Your win with esoterics, Paranoids, hysterics Who don't pay attention To what goes on Around them--
They leave the ones They love the way They found them. A normal person must Dismiss you with disgust And weep for those Who trusted you.
Anatoly: Nothing you have said Is revelation-- Take my blues as red. My consolation's Finding out at last My one true Obligation.
Florence: Since you seem to Have shut out The world at large, Then maybe I Should cut out Your tiny inessential World-- inconsequential In the kind of game You're playing.
How do you do it? I tried to be that Cynical but blew it-- I only changed your life-- You left your Home, your wife-- I'm not surprised I slipped your mind.
Anatoly: Nothing you have said Is revelation-- Take my blues as red. My consolation-- Finding out at last My one true Obligation.
Florence, Svetlana & Soloists: Listen to them shout-- They saw you do it, In their minds, no doubt, That you've been through it, Suffered for your art, But in the end a winner.
We have never heard Such an ovation. Who could not be stirred? Such dedication, Skill and guts-- A model for the young Beginner.
They're completely Enchanted, But they don't take your Qualities for granted. It isn't very often That the critics soften, Nonetheless you've Won their hearts.
How can we begin to Appreciate the work That you've put into Your calling through The years, The blood, and sweat, And tears The late, late nights, The early starts?
There they go again! Your deeds inflame them Drive them wild, but then Who wants to tame them? If they want a part of you Who'd really blame them?
Anatoly: And so you're Letting me know--
Florence: You're the only one Who's never suffered Anything at all!
Anatoly: How you've hated My success!
Svetlana: Well, I won't crawl, And you can slink back To your pawns, And to your tarts.
Anatoly: And every poison word Shows that you never^^^^^^^Svetlana:^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Soloists: Understood!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Liar!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Check. Never!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Liar!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Check. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Florence: Never!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Liar!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Check. Never!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Liar!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Check. Never! Never!
Florence, Svetlana & Soloists: Nothing you have said Is revelation-- Take my blues as red. My consolation-- Finding out that I'm my only Obligation.
Anatoly: Is there no one in my life Who will not claim My right to steal, My work, my name, My success, My fame, And my freedom?
The Arbiter: [Spoken] Anatoly Sergievesky is the winner, and remains world champion.
[Crowd applauds]
Florence: [Spoken] So, you've done it. You're still the champion.