The Six Realms

Performed by Gabriel Fields and Thomas Albanese. Original melody from Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash. LYRICS Well I’d like to teach you something bout what the Buddha said About the realms of being for all things live and dead This is a simple song ‘bout the Six Buddhist worlds So sit right down and listen, and let this tale unfurl. Down in the bowels of fire the demons rule and reign And torture suffering beings bad karma can be blamed The hell realm ain’t so pretty this we know for sure--__ The first realm’s hot and humid and hard to endure Next are the hungry ghosts with stomachs all swole up Their throats ’re sorely tiny which likely drive them nuts They wander a-round seeking pleasures that ne-ver last--__ The second realm’s ‘bout longing caught in desires grasp Then we got the kitties the snakes and fluffy dogs They’re cute and furry and cuddly but ruled by jungle laws They don’t know good and evil they just try to survive The third realm is for animals that follow primal drives Then we got the humans just like you and me And they can soon awaken to equanimity But they have to work at making the magic circle close --__ The fourth realm’s made of humans that’s where we live and grow. Next there’s the asura the mighty fighting gods Who fly about all pompous like very noble frauds They’re good but they are jealous seeking mostly power--__ The fifth realm’s for the titans who always yell and glower The next realm seems like heaven it’s full of awesome stuff Like Xboxes and I-phones and clouds all made of fluff Here beings live a long time but still they age and die--__ The sixth realm is for devas who live up in the sky Well life just keeps on spinning right through these six old realms Until you realize enlightenment and walk out of your cell That’s why we sit so often cause that’s what buddha’s do--__ And I’m just a sittin’ buddha and you are one too.