Song Information

When the Cold War ended I remember wondering "Hang on, if we haven't got communists to demonise, how will our rulers keep our attention, and therefore our energy, divided and conquered." Then came the Gulf War.

I was browsing in a bookshop when I came across an arab proverb. The words seemed simple and wise, so I wrote them down. I thought about setting them to music. I decided against it as I thought most people would not have the patience to listen all the way through. One day I realised that if I presented the proverb as a romance people would be more prepared to listen.

The original words of the proverb are:

If you meet a man who doesn't know,
And who doesn't know he doesn't know,
He is a fool. Avoid him.

If you meet a man who doesn't know,
And who knows he doesn't know,
He is a child. Teach him.

If you meet a man who knows,
And who doesn't know he knows,
He is asleep. Wake him up.

If you meet a man who knows,
And who knows he knows,
He is a wise man. Follow him.

Song Information -Arab Proverb

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