Story Behind The Song
The story takes placce on the Swiss/German border, in 1939, on the brink of World War II. The musical score is in the style of the 1930's (Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Kurt Weill, etc.)
Song Description
This song is the first of six songs from a musical called,
"Audition...Idiot's Delight". The songs wil mean more if
listened to in the suggested order.
| Song Length |
3:30 |
Genre |
Pop - Classic, Pop - Standards |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
In High Spirits |
Subject |
Excitement, Fun |
| Language |
English |
Era |
1930 - 1939 |
Lyrics
AS THE MOTH TO THE FLAME IS (SONG #1)
IRENE
Oh, I am very used to danger.
(SINGS)
I AM IRRESISTABLY DRAWN TO UNCONVENTIONAL THINGS
SO LIFE IS NEVER A BORE
BUT A SERIES OF WONDERFUL FLINGS
AND THOUGH MY BRAIN MAY SOMETIMES SAY, "GO SLOW",
MY HEART AND SOUL JUST SIMPLY TELL ME, "GO"!
IF SOME INTREPID CLIMBING CHAP
INVITES ME TO SCALE MATTERHORN,
I QUICKLY DON MY CLIMBING CAP
AS IF TO THE MATTERHORN BORN
AND THOUGH I'M FILLED WITH DREAD
STILL I'M READY TO TRY,
FOR AS THE MOTH TO THE FLAME IS AM I.
IF SOME HARD RIDING CORSICAN
SHOULD ASK ME TO GO ON A CHASE,
I TELL HIM THERE'S NO HORSE I CANNOT HANDLE,
NO MATTER THE PACE.
THOUGH I MAY TAKE A SPILL STILL I WILLINGLY LIE
FOR AS THE MOTH TO THE FLAME IS AM I.
AS HONEY'S TO THE HONEY BEE,
AS IVY'S TO THE FAUN,
EXCITEMENT SEEMS TO BECKON ME,
AS METAL TO MAGNET I'M DRAWN.
IF SOME GREAT WIT SAYS JOKINGLY,
"LET'S CROSS THE SAHARA FOR FUN",
THOUGH SANDSTORMS MAY BE CHOKING ME,
I STILL MAKE A STAB AT A PUN.
MY NERVE WOULD NEVER QUIT
THOUGH MY WIT MIGHT GET DRY,
FOR AS THE MOTH TO THE FLAME IS AM I.
(MUSIC GOES UNDER)
NARRATOR
Her assembled listeners shout, "Encore, bis,
more, more" and she generously acquiesces.
(MUSIC UP)
IRENE
IF SOME SMALL CRAFT IS FRANTICALLY
ENLISTING A CREW FOR A SAIL
TO CROSS THE NORTH ATLANTIC SEA,
I'LL SAIL IN THE TEETH OF A GALE.
MY CHANCES MAY BE SCANT BUT I CAN'T PASS IT BY,
FOR AS THE MOTH TO THE FLAME IS AM I.
IF SOME SAFARI'S FORMING UP
TO VISIT A CANNIBAL BROOD,
I FEEL MY INTEREST WARMING UP
TO SEE HOW THEY SEASON THEIR FOOD.
I MAY END IN THE SOUP YET I STUPIDLY PRY
FOR AS THE MOTH TO THE FLAME IS AM I.
I SEEK OUT DANGER RECKLESSLY.
I LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED.
THE BOND BETWEEN THE MOTH AND ME
IS KNOWING OUR WINGS COULD GET BURNED.
IF SOME FUN-LOVING FLYING FOOL
INSISTS THAT I JUMP FROM HIS PLANE,
STRAIGHT OFF GO I TO FLYING SCHOOL
TO LEARN HOW TO LAND WITHOUT PAIN
AND THOUGH I FEEL UNSTABLE I'M ABLE TO FLY,
FOR AS THE MOTH TO THE FLAME IS,
THE TERRIBLE SHAME IS,
I CAN'T EVEN TELL MYSELF WHY....
AS THE MOTH TO THE FLAME IS AM I.
copyright 2002 Robert Arthur ASCAP