In the darkest of the Cold War days
I know there was discussion
That just like Dennis Pager
We should all be learning Russian
And though those years were fearful
And quite distant from idyllic
I willingly confess to you
I never learned Cyrillic
But as the DC chorus sings
“Appease, appease, appease”
Starting in September
I’ll be taking Cantonese
I understand the process
Is as pleasant as a suture
But all in all the knowledge
Could be useful in the future
I know that there’s an army
That I could be commander in
If it’s on my resume
“He speaks a little Mandarin”
I think it’s worth the effort
When advantages are weighed–
On money earned in China
There’re no taxes to be paid!
That settles my retirement
With something left to spare
I’m glad to kick in nothing
And still call it my fair share
There’re fortunes in consulting
And the risks are really low
Of course, it all comes down to
What you speak and who you know
