The Charioteer

Performed by Gabriel Fields and Thomas Albanese. Orginal lyrics and melody from Nat Needle's American Buddhist Songbook. https://natneedle.com/american-buddhist-songbook/ LYRICS Chorus: Buddha rode out from his palace one day Where his father the king kept him out of the way. Didn’t want him to see any suffering or pain, But Buddha had his charioteer explain. He said, “Channa…” Why is that woman’s face all wrinkled? Why is that woman’s face all wrinkled? Why is that woman’s face all wrinkled? His Charioteer replied… That’s an OLD woman with her face all wrinkled That’s an OLD woman with her face all wrinkled That’s an OLD woman with her face all wrinkled. And Buddha’s eyes opened wide! He said: Impermanence surrounds us, existence doesn’t stay, The OLD ones of tomorrow are YOUNG enough today. So he sat in meditation - he didn’t dream or doze! And he found liberation, which neither comes nor goes. Chorus Why is that man all pale and sweaty? x 3 His Charioteer replied… That’s an SICK man all pale and sweaty x3 And Buddha’s eyes opened wide! He said: Impermanence surrounds us, existence doesn’t stay, The SICK ones of tomorrow are WELL enough today. So he sat in meditation - he didn’t dream or doze And he found liberation which neither comes nor goes. Chorus (Slowly) Why has that man got sheets around him? x3 His Charioteer replied… That’s a DEAD man with sheets around him x3 And Buddha’s eyes opened wide! He said: Impermanence surrounds us, existence doesn’t stay, The DEAD ones of tomorrow are LIVE enough today. So he sat in meditation - he didn’t dream or doze! And he found liberation, which neither comes nor goes. Chorus Who is that man so calm and peaceful? x3 His Charioteer replied… That’s a HOLY man so calm and peaceful x3 And Buddha’s eyes opened wide! He said: Impermanence surrounds us, existence doesn’t stay, THE BUDDHAS OF TOMORROW ARE JUST LIKE US TODAY So he sat in meditation - he didn’t dream or doze! And he found liberation, which neither comes nor goes!