Third song of the month

There's been a song which has made me dance and sing, get up and do my thing for many many years. The somewhat famous and very fabulous "Rasputin", by the very wonderful folks of Boney M. Let's face it, Boney M's music won't be remembered for its deep and thought-provoking messages, for its superlative arrangements, or the virtuosity of its singers, but who cares! Boney M's song were meant to be enjoyed and rejoiced about. In 1988, while still at grade school, one of our teachers came up with the brilliant idea of having us all 6 graders do a gymnastics display à-la-spartakiade, and for such feat they chose "Rasputin". So, I was baptised into the world of camp at age 11. It was fantastic, we rehearsed extensively for months, agonised over the costumes until we found the perfect one and premiered or show as the prime event for Mother's Day. 6° grade: live at lunch! It was dark and we had lamps in our hands and so we danced the intricate choreography, it was damn right fantabulous! And I've been hooked to "Rasputin" ever since. There's even some who claim it to be a rather daring and interesting mixture of rhythms, too ahead of its time. For further reading: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/feature.php?ID=1566

Boney M - Rasputin

There lived a certain man in Russia long ago
He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow
Most people looked at him with terror and with fear
But to Moscow chicks he was such a lovely dear
He could preach the bible like a preacher
Full of ecstacy and fire
But he also was the kind of teacher
Women would desire

Ra Ra Rasputin
Lover of the Russian Queen
There was a cat that really was gone
Ra Ra Rasputin
Russia's greatest love machine
It was a shame how he carried on

He ruled the Russian land and never mind the Czar
But the kasachok he danced really wunderbar
In all affairs of state he was the man to please
But he was real great when he had a girl to squeeze
For the queen he was no wheeler-dealer
Though she'd heard the things he'd done
She believed he was a holy healer
Who would heal her son

Ra Ra Rasputin
Lover of the Russian Queen
There was a cat that really was gone
Ra Ra Rasputin
Russia's greatest love machine
It was a shame how he carried on

But when his drinking and lusting and his hunger for power
Became known to more and more people,
the demands to do something about this outrageous man became louder and louder.

"This man's just got to go!" declared his enemies
But the ladies begged "Don't you try to do it, please"
No doubt this Rasputin had lots of hidden charms
Though he was a brute they just fell into his arms
Then one night some men of higher standing
Set a trap, they're not to blame
"Come to visit us" they kept demanding
And he really came

Ra Ra Rasputin
Lover of the Russian Queen
They put some poison into his wine
Ra Ra Rasputin
Russia's greatest love machine
He drank it all and he said "I feel fine"

Ra Ra Rasputin
Lover of the Russian Queen
They didn't quit, they wanted his head
Ra Ra Rasputin
Russia's greatest love machine
And so they shot him till he was dead

Oh, those Russians...