Magic Art of the Great Humbug | Lyrical Literacy (Oz Sung)

Magic Art of the Great Humbug |  Lyrical Literacy (Oz Sung)

The Lyrical Literacy podcast presents a poignant musical exploration of the pivotal moment in "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" when Dorothy and her companions discover the true identity of the great and powerful Oz. This contemplative song captures their journey through the Emerald City, their confrontation with the man behind the curtain, and their reckoning with broken promises and dashed hopes as they realize the wizard is merely "a humbug" – an ordinary man using illusions to appear magnificent.

Based on L. Frank Baum's classic 1900 novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," this scene represents one of literature's most famous revelations about the gap between appearance and reality. The original story, now in the public domain, has become a cultural touchstone for exposing frauds and questioning authority figures who hide behind spectacle.

Explore more musical adaptations of classic stories at the Lyrical Literacy podcast https://podcast.humanitarians.ai/

 

Magic Art of the Great Humbug

We walk through green and gold Emerald walls where secrets hold A hum of wonder whispers near Tales unfold as we appear

For what was promised, we dare and see But shadows thin as air can be And does the mighty Oz even care We came for what was promised, just and fair

With hopes and dreams, we dare—oh, we dare But all we see are shadows, thin as air

We faced the wicked dark Melted her shadow, left our mark Now we’re back to claim the spark The things we missed that leave us stark

Promises made, fair and clear Shine bright then vanish here In this place of smoke and air Does Oz even care

Silence holds us in that room Waiting on the Wizard’s tune His voice echoes from the gloom Hollow words that curl and bloom

Then he appears, no more than a man Not great, nor terrible, just a sham We see through him, see his scam But here we stand, as we began

Scarecrow says, I need a brain Lion sighs, Help me shake the strain Tin Man seeks a heart again Dorothy dreams of Kansas plains

We came for what was promised, just and fair With hopes and dreams, we dare—oh, we dare But all we see are shadows, thin as air

The humbug laughs, he plays his part Fake courage, brains, a mimic heart We stand, we know, we’re worlds apart But still, we hope for a brand-new start

We came for what was promised, just and fair With hopes and dreams, we dare—oh, we dare But all we see are shadows, thin as air Does the mighty Oz even care

Nik Bear Brown https://open.spotify.com/artist/0hSpFCJodAYMP2cWK72zI6?si=9Fx2UusBQHi3tTyVEAoCDQ https://music.apple.com/us/artist/nik-bear-brown/1779725275 https://nikbear.musinique.com