Martin Luther, who did you think that you were
Appointed by some higher up?
Merely mortal, your plans were unfordable
No one wants to pay for love

Oh, you beautiful fool
Swimmin' up stream, kickin' up waves
Dreams weren't meant to come true
That's why they call 'em dreams
Oh, you beautiful fool

Walter Cronkite, pre-empted Disney one night
And all us kids were so upset
We thought that you were a trouble instigator
Marchin' through our TV set

Oh, you beautiful fool
Swimmin' up stream, kickin' up waves
Dreams weren't meant to come true
That's why they call 'em dreams
Oh, you beautiful fool

To fight a fight without a fist all human instinct puzzles this
How dare you threaten our existence?
Mahatma Gandhi, Jesus Christ, history repeats itself so nice
Consistently we are resistant to love

I saw you on the black and white
With blacks and whites applauding you
I saw you on another time
Without a sign of life in you

Oh, you beautiful fool
Swimmin' up stream, kickin' up waves
Dreams weren't meant to come true
That's why they call 'em dreams
Oh, you beautiful fool
Oh, you beautiful fool