In Der Palästra

                           G
As through the pipes the waters fell
Eb                     G
   Down to the bottom of the well
Eb                    G
   In listless apathy I gazed
Eb                       G
  At the cold waters ... as he bathed


[Bridge]
Eb   G   x2


[Verse 2]
Eb                      G
  I have beheld that scenery
Eb                      G
   And it's most sensual, masculinity
Eb                       G
   Yet, disappointment, oh, can't you see?
             Eb
Is still the cause and the cardinal symptom
   G
Of my sick, sad reality


[Bridge]
Eb   G   x2


[Chorus]
Eb                                          G
Silver equals chill, but that suits me just fine
         Eb                                               G
I'm shyly sipping water ... while he drinks whole jugs of wine
             Eb                               G
He likes all kinds of women, and I ... I only hate ... men
              Eb
He marvels at all things new to him ...
And I only wait ...
        G
For all things in this sick world... to end


[Verse 3]
Eb                            G
   The water pouring down his spine
Eb
   Caressed his strong physique
    G
Oh, so well-defined
Eb
   Calm like a rock he stands
      G
Oh, behold his body and soul
  Eb
A friendly God must have built this man
      G
To an all well-balanced whole


[Bridge]
Eb   G   x4


[Verse 4]
Eb                              G
  What sad bewilderment of this brought
Eb
  Physical clearness, alas ...
G
  Still so much abhorred
Eb                         G
An ancient ghost awoke and fiercely arose in me
            Eb                                       G
It was that old, savage, yet half-forgotten ideal of perfect neutrality


[Bridge]
Eb   G   x2


[Chorus]
Eb                                          G
Silver equals chill, but that suits me just fine
         Eb                                               G
I'm shyly sipping water ... while he drinks whole jugs of wine
             Eb                               G
He likes all kinds of women, and I ... I only hate ... men
              Eb
He marvels at all things new to him ...
And I only wait ...
        G
For all things in this sick world... to end


[Verse 5]
Eb                      G
   I somewhat envy this naturally beautiful man
Eb                                 G
  He never knew or encountered the hatred and shame that I bear
Eb                                        G
  The doubt, the cloak of disgust and the all-devouring dread
Eb
   And if I told him about it
   G
He might only shake his head
Eb                              G
  With kindly amused, melodious laughter
                                        Eb
He then would perhaps merely smile at my ...
Eb
Oh, so stupid silliness ...
G
And the beast that is raging inside