Vidgolia (Deaf, Dumb & Blind)

Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - “Vidgolia (Deaf, Dumb & Blind)”
[Vocals/Written By/Producer: Gil Scott-Heron]
[Producer/Keyboards/Written By: Brian Jackson]
[Co-Producer: Larry Fallon and Tom Wilson]
[Bass: Danny Bowens]
[Bass Clarinet/Tenor Saxophone: Bilal Sunni-Ali]
[Bongos/Congas/Djembe/Shekere/Triangle: Barnett Williams]
[Drums: Joe Blocker and Reggie Brisbane]
[Guitar: Marlo Henderson]
[Percussion/Timbales: Tony Duncanson]
[Trumpet: Delbert Taylor]

[Intro: Gil Scott-Heron]
Velcome to Vildgolia

[Verse 1: Gil Scott-Heron]
I know if-a you’ve been looking, now you can’t see
The closer-than-your-nose reality
I know if-a you’ve been looking now that you can’t see, yeah, no
But if you want to look, this song won’t mean a thing-a. Now, but
Don’t you despair. There ain’t no rule that
Says you’ve got to care
And you can’t always swear you’re deaf, dumb, and blind
It works one time
Mmm, but nothing works forever, hon
I know if-a you’ve been listening now that you can’t-a hear. Yeah, ‘cause the
Sound of the people are footsteps running in fear
Bud-a-dum. Bud-a-dum, bud-a-dum, bud-a-dum
But know if-a you’ve been listening, you done-a
Heard, you done-a heard how the
People be crying out for soothing words, and you can give ‘em the word. Now, but
Don’t you despair. There ain’t no rule that
Says you’ve got to care
And you can’t always swear you’re deaf, dumb, and blind

[Interlude 1: Gil Scott-Heron]
As for the next part of the vocal, I’d like to fill you in on the well-known Vildgolian symbol, beat you into the ending. (He’s a monster)

[Verse 2: Gil Scott-Heron]
I’m offering one chance for you to boogie down. Yes, and
The smack I got for me is the best in town (Anyone of you little ones could get high now)
I’m offering you a chance to dance and swi-i-i-i-i-i-ing
Need you out here with me when I do my thing (That’s the boogie! That’s the boogie!). Yes, and-a
All I want from you is your mind and soul, so come on, come on and
Cooperate with me until you’re getting too old
To retaliate against the fact that I took your
Mind. Oh yeah, uh huh, and
I left you and your people far behind (And when you retire your very own jukebox)
Life ain’t nothing but a sham. Can you
Tell me who I am? Dressed in
Red, White, and Blue, you’re Uncle Sam

[Interlude 2: Gil Scott-Heron]
You almost didn’t recognize me, did you?

[Verse 3: Gil Scott-Heron]
I know if-a you’ve been talking now that you done said, yes, just
How surprised you were by the living dead (How surprised you were). You were sur-
-prised that they could understand your words (Fear, fear!), yes, and
Never respond once to all the truth they heard (Zombie, zombie boogie!). Now, but
Don’t you get square. There ain’t no rule that
Says they’ve got to care
And they can’t always swear that they’re dumb and blind (Works one time, works one time)
Life ain’t nothing but a sham. Can you
Tell me who I am? Dressed in
Red, White, and Blue, you’re Uncle Sam

[Interlude 3: Gil Scott-Heron]
Ah, ah, yes, this is all courtesy, brothers. S-step right up, step right up. Everything is free here, everything. Yes, it’s true: the streets are paved with gold. No, not in the city. No money trees and the city out in the country. Perhaps near Détente Park. Very close to San Clemente, you know? Yeah. Yeah

[Outro: Gil Scott-Heron]
Vat? You say you don’t think you’re going to like it here? What-wh-what about our money trees, our streets of gold? You-y-you say you’re leaving? But where can you go? There is nowhere else to go. This is all there is. This is all there is. And, of course, he who laughs last...