John Adams — Act II Scene 1: Look Down at the Earth

CHORUS: Look down at the earth Look down, look down; Down from the north the snowstorm comes Mile after mile on each side Of the ice-locked wall vanishes Far as you can see you cannot see the land or sky Far as you can see you cannot see the land or sky PAT: This little elephant in glass Brings back so many memories The symbol of our party, prize of our success Our sacred cow surrounded by blind Brahmins Slow, musclebound, well-dressed, half-awake With Liberty upon her back Tell me, is it one of a kind? CHORUS: It has been carefully designed By workers in our factory They can make hundrеds every day PAT: Wonderful CHORUS: Look down, look down at thе earth A living current moves beneath Rivers caught in the hand of death Rivers caught in the hand of death Rivers caught in the hand of death Serpentine mountains cross the plain To bask in an uncertain sun And elephantine hills rejoice Advancing towards a sky of ice This country is so beautiful; One fine day you will see it all CHORUS: This is the people's clinic PAT: Ouch! I think it's sort of rude to watch CHORUS: Do not distress yourself, she begs She will get well Come, come see the pigs! [Whooping, cheering] Pig [Repeated through scene] PAT: I once raised a red-ribbon boar CHORUS: Do you think you could scratch his ear? PAT: I once raised a red-ribbon boar CHORUS: Do you think you could scratch his ear? Do you think- Thank you PAT: And how was that? CHORUS: Just fine. Thank you. Thank you CHORUS: Here are some children having fun PAT: The children in the U.S.A. all say hello I used to be a teacher many years ago And now I’m here to learn from you