Lyrics

RACE OF GLORY, RACE OF SHAME 
 
I came upon a white house; 
I saw a man upon his knees. 
I said, “You’d better take care now! 
He said, “I do just as I please!” 
“I can whistle ‘Dixie’ and play harmonica, 
Smuggle my cigars straight out of Cuba.” 
It was then I had to tell him 
Exactly why I came. 
I said, “I’ve been sent to warn you 
We’re all running in the same 
Race of glory, race of shame.” 
 
I came upon a black house, 
And I sensed the anger there. 
It was a thin disguise 
For the fear and despair 
That have plagued these proud people 
Since before they had a name, 
Before the bigots took their deadly aim 
And began this most dangerous game. 
Now, they’re all gunning for the same 
Race of glory, race of shame. 
 
I came upon a yellow house, 
Where I heard the party spokesman say, 
That Ho Ho Ho Chi Minh 
Was the Santa of his day, 
And how his comrades would 
Rule the world some way. 
I just had to tell him, 
“We’re all coming from the same 
Race of glory, race of shame.” 
 
I came upon a red house 
And smoked the peace pipe there. 
I didn’t know what it was then, 
But I could feel it in the air. 
The bitter taste of betrayal 
And the rancid smell of blame. 
Ever since we started playing that buffalo game, 
We’ve all been running in the same 
Race of glory, race of shame. 
 
No sense giving it a brand new name, 
No sense even trying to explain. 
Ever since young Abel tried to outrun Cain, 
We’ve all been running in the same 
Race of glory, race of shame. 
 
You may be wild, may be tame, 
Run a record mile or pull up lame, 
Reach your heart out to claim 
Fleeting glory or eternal fame. 
We’re all running in the same 
Race of glory, race of shame. 
 
 
Copyright © 1999 Lex Zaleta