I Sold the Arabs the Moon

And I was the man who sold the Arabs the moon

The Emirate Princes, their hands manicured

Their servants with luggage, they followed behind

The African concubines, regal and tallAnd I was the man who sold the Arabs the moon

They festooned their flags with crescent moonsAnd I was the man who sold the English the sea

They wanted the afternoon breezes it bore

The sweet smell of spices from over the sea

The afternoon showers it brought during teaAnd I was the man who sold the English the sea

I cowered before great battleship gunsAnd I was the man who sold the Yankees the sky

The black of the night and the blue of the day

The endless horizon of hope and desireAnd I was the man who sold the Yankees the sky,

The English the Sea

The Arabs the moon