Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Dave Malloy
Performer
Original Cast of Octet
Vocals
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Dave Malloy
Composer
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Dave Malloy
Producer
Joe Lambert
Mastering Engineer
Tom Lazarus
Mixing Engineer
Or Mathias
Producer
Lyrics
The Tower Tea Ceremony is a reminder to us all of the wonder of small things, the wonder of ourselves, and the wonder of others. We pour for our neighbor; we drink with attention; we journey within
(The group begins a simple tea ritual.)
breathe and sing with me
and drink your tea
breathe in
breathe out
let be
hold the cup
sit and drink your tea
breathe and sing with me
and drink your tea
(Paula walks around the circle, adding something to each teacup with a dropper.)
this is how the tea feels
this is how the tea smells
this is how the tea tastes
give yourself a little bit of time
and a little bit of space
only once you’re bored out of your mind
will you see the monster’s face
(Seeing Paula doctoring the tea, Velma stops singing.)
tiny little monster
vast and mighty monster
lost and lonely monster
breathe and sing with me
and drink your tea
(They lift the cups to their mouths. Velma abruptly turns to Paula.)
What’s in this?
It’s a powerful group psychedelic that induces a 5-minute coma, in which your consciousness is transported back to its original, pure, pre-technological limbic state.
Oh!…Wow.
(The ritual resumes.)
this is how the tea feels
this is how the tea smells
this is how the tea tastes
(All but Velma drink the tea.)
breathe and sing with me
and drink your tea
breathe and sing with me
and drink your tea
breathe and sing with me
and drink your tea
(All but Velma lie on the floor and play a pitch pipe chorale as they drift into unconsciousness.)
— — — — — — — —
Written by: Dave Malloy
