16 Feb 98

By Paul Ford

Songs from the Cold War

I'm working on a short story, and it features a character who auditions for a musical. The musical is called "The Cold War," and I've written a song for it. I reprint a section of the song below. It's sung by wealthy urbanites, and it's called "The Nuclear Charity Ball."

When they drop the bomb atomic,
Will the gin stay in the tonic,
Or will our party be a shadow on the wall?

When the atom starts to roar,
Will the nightlife be a bore,
Attending the apocalyptic ball?

Sure, the Eastern Bloc is led,
My a man with a rash on his head,
Who hides his nukes behind the Berlin wall.

But when Ronnie hits the button,
We'll eat irradiated mutton,
And if we survive life won't mean much at all.

When the atom starts to roar,
Will the nightlife be a bore,
Attending the apocalyptic ball?

Sure, the Eastern Bloc is led,
My a man with a rash on his head,
Who hides his nukes behind the Berlin wall.

But when Ronnie hits the button,
We'll eat irradiated mutton,
And if we survive life won't mean much at all.