A Puzzlement

When I was a boy
World was better spot
What was so was so
What was not was not

Now I am a man
World have changed a lot
Some things nearly so!
Others nearly not!

There are times I almost think
I am not sure of what I absolutely know
Very often find confusion
In conclusion I concluded long ago

In my head are many facts
That, as a student, I have studied to procure,
In my head are many facts.
Of which I wish I was more certain
I
Was
Sure!

Is a puzzlement!

Shall I join with other nations in alliance?
If allies are weak, am I not best alone?
If allies are strong with power to protect me,
Might they not protect me out of all I own?

Is a danger to be trusting one another
One will seldom want to do what other wishes
But unless someday somebody trust somebody -
There'll be nothing left on earth -
Excepting fishes!

There are times I almost think
Nobody sure of what he absolutely know!
Everybody find confusion
In conclusion he concluded long ago!
And it puzzle me to learn
That tho' a man may be in doubt of what he know,
Very quickly he will fight -
He'll fight -
to prove that what he
Does
Not
Know
Is
So!

Oh-h-h-h-h-h!
Sometimes I think that people going mad!
Ah-h-h-h-h-h!
Sometimes I think that people not so bad!

But not matter what I think
I must go on living life.
As leader of my kingdom I must go forth,

Be father to my children
and husband to each wife
Etcetera, etcetera, and so forth...

If my Lord in Heaven, Buddha, show the way
Every day I try to live another day!
If my Lord in Heaven, Buddha, show the way
Every day I do my best for one more day!
BUT!
IS!
A PUZZLEMENT!

(As rendered by Yul Brynner in the film version of "The King and I.")