Amsterdam

[BAND]
Amsterdam, spring sunshine
Amsterdam, spring sunshine
Ahhh

[NARRATOR]
So now let's jet the scene of the crime
Touch down in once upon a time
As Plasticland gives way
To a new world born today

Amsterdam, spring sunshine
And the vibe is alive and the girls look fine
He sits in a cafe, like Baldwin in the day

Day-glo walls, incense air
Lounging 'round in velvet chairs
So glad he took the trip
Out the slaveholder's grip

He knew his destiny was looming
And an epiphany was blooming
And the lost was gonna get profound
And the real was about to go down

And he saw that this whole journey through the bowels of the middle-class coon show had led him to this single moment of
utter crystalline clarity
For the Real was to be revealed
Right here in this very venue!

[YOUTH]
There's Hashish on the menu!

[CHORUS]
Ahhh!
Ahhh!
Ahhh!
Ahhh!

[RENATA]
Like another coffee while you make up your mind?

[YOUTH]
Thank you, yes, excuse me, I'm still startled by the sign

[CHRISTOPHE]
This one's free, man, it's on me you don't have to pay

[RENATA]
How's about a sample of the special of the day?
This your first time?

[YOUTH]
Does it show? I'm like an ice cube gone to melt

[RENATA]
I hope you find yourself at home

[YOUTH]
I like the cards that I've been dealt

[JOOP]
And how's your mind?

[YOUTH]
Oh, it's blown
It's a vibe I've never felt

[RENATA]
Welcome to Amsterdam!
Amsterdam!
I'm your flight attendant, Miss Renata Holiday
Welcome to Amsterdam!
Amsterdam!
And I welcome you most happily to our little cafe

[CHRISTOPHE]
Now if you think you're dreaming
Pinch yourself and look around
Miracles are commonplace
When you're on holy ground

[JOOP]
Some worship our hoes
Some kneel before our hash

[RENATA]
Some pray to our Van Goghs
All yours for a little cash
Only in-

[CHORUS/BAND]
Amsterdam
Amsterdam

[RENATA]
If we seem too happy
It's because we truly are

[CHORUS/BAND]
Welcome to Amsterdam
Amsterdam

[RENATA]
And we've found the meaning of life
Right here inside this bar

[CHORUS/BAND]
Amsterdam
Amsterdam

[JOOP]
The enlightened aren't frightened
We let untamed spirits roam

[CHORUS/BAND]
Amsterdam
Amsterdam

[CHRISTOPHE]
But we're the freedom experts, man
So don't try this at home!

[CHORUS/BAND]
Amsterdam
Amsterdam

[RENATA]
While there ain't no witch or a yellow brick road

[MARIANNA]
It's an Emerald City after two bong loads!

[CHORUS/BAND]
Amsterdam
Amsterdam

[CHRISTOPHE]
You can trip all day 'till your mind just melts

[JOOP]
Makes Berkeley look like the bible belt!

[CHORUS/BAND]
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Wooo!

[NARRATOR]
The pilgrim made some progress and was pleased he'd gone forth

[YOUTH]
I done broke my chains and escaped to the North

[NARRATOR]
He was gonna meet his destiny
Before he met his Maker, yeah

[YOUTH]
King James Baldwin
Queen Josephine Baker!

[NARRATOR]
They blazed his trail when they stepped outta line

[YOUTH]
They owned Paris and Amsterdam gonna be mine!

[NARRATOR]
He was born again
See it real as it happened

[YOUTH]
Oh, halleluiah! I'm standing on the promised land!

[NARRATOR]
It was like they been expectin' him
Like they knew he was on the way
Those casually enlightened regulars
At the Headquarters Café, yeah