Put Up a Kite

[bnewman]

Set on an ocean planet with many small islands, a giant kite is a clever but perhaps impractical solution to the problem of building a better lighthouse.

lyrics and chorus tune by Benjamin Newman

verse ttto: "Bested" by Cat Faber

listen to this song
 

/ AmG Am / AmG E / AmG -Am / AmG FE / AmG Am /

 

This island we stole from the sea.

Its heights, correspondingly low,

Can't clear the horizon to show where we are

To ships sailing hither from islands afar,

Which therefore don't know where to go.

 

A tower we built on the dike.

A light in the tower we set.

And though it's much better than nothing at all,

I can't help but think it's just not very tall —

And taller would be better, yet.

 

/ AmG -Am / -G FE / AmG CF... / 1st /

 

The higher the height, the further the sight,

The better for sailors to steer by the light —

And two miles high should be just about right,

So take down the tower and put up a kite!

 

A kite is a sail on a string,

Which I saw in a faraway land.

When it catches the wind, it's a wonderful thing —

By nothing constrained but the length of its string —

And a big one could carry a man!

 

He'll carry a spyglass to see,

A lamp so the kite can be seen

As far as the next island over from here —

About fifty leagues if the weather is clear! —

And all of the sea in between.

 

The higher the height, the further the sight...

 

The kiteman must keep a good watch,

For, from his perch in the sky,

Any grave danger that comes from the sea —

Be it a cyclone or an enemy —

He shall be the first to espy.

 

Then shall our island be safe,

And of our neighbors renowned —

For shall not our kite be a sight to be seen,

Told of as far as the ocean is green,

Until all the islands be drowned?

 

The higher the height, the further the sight...