[Intro] Hear him come down Market Street Brim held high and paper neat Borrowed gold and a velvet claim Still the crowd would call his name [Verse 1] Joshua Norton walked alone With a throne inside his bones A coat so fine, a watch so bare He wore the city like a prayer He signed his name on crumpled bills Set his law above the hills Shop by shop and door by door They laughed, then bowed, then laughed some more [Chorus] Solemn majesty A man so kind America's Emperor But out of his mind! Solemn majesty A man so kind America's Emperor But out of his mind! [Verse 2] He blessed the dogs and tipped his hat Gave the beggar half of that Sent his decrees through rain and dust And asked the world to simply trust No army marched behind his word Just a dream the city heard Yet in the noise and wires and grit He made a kingdom out of it [Chorus] Solemn majesty A man so kind America's Emperor But out of his mind! Solemn majesty A man so kind America's Emperor But out of his mind! [Bridge] Now the bridge is cold and gray The empire's gone away His footsteps thin as winter smoke A crown of paper, softly broke And the laughter turns to sighs When the river in us dries Who will stand when none will kneel? Who will turn the odd to real? [Outro] Joshua Norton, say your name City dust and candle flame You ruled with nothing, pure and bare And left a kinder mark than care Solemn majesty A man so kind America's Emperor But out of his mind!
