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
