AL STEWART'S YEAR OF THE RAT

On a morning in the Beijing time zone
In a country where they turn back time
A pretty toothed little girl goes through the motions
As if she were a mime
She comes out of the smog in a silk hazmat suit
Like someone in The China Syndrome
Don't bother asking for explanations
She'll just say she feels at home
In the Year of the Rat

While the fireworks were over the top
We find out later Photoshop
And the underage gymnasts sweep the gold medals
Somebody call a cop
From local vendors at the market stalls
You can buy a copy of Dark Knight
A holy man in the mountains?
Don't bother putting up a fight
In the Year of the Rat

Bolt's so ahead he never leans
Without even tying up his laces
He trains on incense and leafy greens
Take a puff and you'll see hazy stuff just like
The Year of the Rat

Well, morning comes at the Water Cube
Michael Phelps has broken from the pack
More gold than Mr. T; he's won as many medals
As England plus Iraq
But the homer judging of the games remain
Like Tom Lemming with his ND leans
Don't bother asking for the real truth
Cause nothing's ever as it seems
In the Year of the Rat