The Tragical History of Doctor Heinrich Wilhelm Walter (1348-??)

In June of 1914 I played the pawn in your scheme To celebrate the regime We played the grandest charade— I cheered the passing parade Your black hand threw a grenade Come moonstruck rhymesters and common romancers Inveterate liars, come on, take a chance, sirs Crown me with flowers and I’ll have my answer So déclassé, this cabaret Too late to pay your way and [Pre-Chorus] Even the score and run for more Devil’s got a hand in love and war Lovers caught up in the mystery Never gonna learn from history… [First Chorus] We’re so Gilbert and Garbo We’re all dressed up for the show My pusillanimous beau Herr Doctor Walter The greatest man of the age High-hatted prince of the stage I do my best to assuage Herr Doctor Walter Man of mysterious means—he pulls the strings September 1, ‘39 10,000 Panzers in line You hummed the “Watch On The Rhine” (on the Rhine) November of ‘63 Had a disciple named Lee Who did his bidding with glee (woe to he) Come all you drunkards, you sots and debauchers Blacklegs and harlots, cut-throats and zen archers This night is blighted with exquisite tortures His sobriquet, Dorian Gray And Faustus paved the way to [Pre-Chorus] Even the score and run for more Devil’s got a hand in love and war Lovers caught up in the mystery Never gonna learn from history [Second Chorus] We’re so much Bonnie and Clyde Something inside of me died The day I had to collide With Dr. Walter The power behind the throne— With him you’re never alone I do my best to atone For Dr. Walter Man of mysterious means—who pulls the strings? [Second Movement - Once A Pure And Holy Boy] Once a pure and holy boy Widowed mother’s pride and joy In the church’s good employ He swore to serve the Lord Then a black and deadly plague Sent his mother to her grave Though he cried and prayed and prayed His prayers were all ignored Rage and fire burning in his brain Mephistopheles did call his name He lashed that Devil to the wheel and bade him: Even the score and run for more (Even the score!) Devil’s got a hand in love and war (Run to war!) Lovers caught up in the mystery (Run to war!) Never gonna learn from history…(Run to war!) [Third Chorus] We’re so Fantômas and Maud Wholly forsaken by God Let’s hear you sinners applaud Herr Doctor Walter He’s got the Mark on his Cain But where’s the Mark for the slain? I do my best to contain Herr Doctor Walter Man of mysterious means—he pulls the strings [Third Movement - God Save His Soul] God save his soul if he has a soul to save Some people like to pretend Fools say his day’s at an end Don’t you believe it, my friend Some say he died in a fire Some claim he simply retired While still so widely admired But I struck the murderous blow That killed the star of this show There was no way I could know That as he gasped his last breath When Satan came to collect The Doctor deigned to defect The road is short from Bethlehem to Golgotha You cry for justice—you cry to your Father And then cry havoc—or die as a martyr His nom de guerre, Judas Iscar, could never bear the stare of [Fourth Chorus] He’s so angelic and good Earlier misunderstood We’re all like babes in the wood To Doctor Walter Now with the Devil outrun He’s Heaven’s favorite son God’s darkest deals will get done By Doctor Walter A man of heavenly wings Who pulls the strings?