Oscar Hammerstein II - Puzzlement lyrics

[King:] When I was a boy World was better spot What was so was so What was not was not Now I am a man World have changed a lot Some things nearly so Others nearly not There are times I almost think I am not sure of what I absolutely know Very often find confusion In conclusion I concluded long ago In my head are many facts That, as a student, I have studied to procure In my head are many facts Of which I wish I was more certain I was sure! [Spoken] Is a puzzlement [Sung] What to tell growing son What for instance, shall I say to him of women? Shall I educate him on the ancient lines? Shall I tell the boy as far as he is able To respect his wives and love his concubines? Shall I tell him everyone is like the other And the better of the two is really neither? If I tell him this I think he won't believe it And I nearly think that I don't believe it either! When my father was a king He was a king who knew exactly what he knew And his brain was not a thing Forever swinging to and fro and fro and to Shall I, then be like my father And be willfully unmovable and strong? Or is it better to be right? Or am I right when I believe I may be wrong? Shall I join with other nations in alliance? If allies are weak, am I not best alone? If allies are strong with power to protect me Might they not protect me out of all I own? Is a danger to be trusting one another One will seldom want to do what other wishes But unless someday somebody trust somebody There'll be nothing left on earth excepting fishes! There are times I almost think Nobody sure of what he absolutely know Everybody find confusion In conclusion he concluded long ago And it puzzle me to learn That tho' a man may be in doubt of what he know Very quickly he will fight He'll fight to prove that what he does not know is so! Oh-h-h-h-h-h Sometimes I think that people going mad! Ah-h-h-h-h-h! Sometimes I think that people not so bad! But not matter what I think I must go on living life As leader of my kingdom I must go forth Be father to my children and husband to each wife Etcetera, etcetera, and so forth If my Lord in Heaven Buddha, show the way Everyday I try to live another day If my Lord in Heaven Buddha, show the way Everyday I do my best for one-more day! [Spoken] But...Is a puzzlement!