the theatre is on fire the cinema is burning
rumours spread faster than flames
there is always a patsy set up for the fall
who's to pay off the insurance claims

twas in the summer of '86
the orson welles caught fire
some say it started in the popcorn machine
though it spread through electical wires
and all along mass avenue
from harvard to central square
old buildings were burning down
and new ones erected there

we have no suspicion of arson
the fire chief laughed as he lied
a reporter asked how he knew
we looked around, the fire chief replied
his complete deposition
read like a sam beckett play
the blame was placed on an underling
who was in charge that day

the manager was on vacation
staff supervisor took his place
trying to keep the shop steward
from rifling the files in the office space
he took a step into the lobby
above the pocorn danced a flame.
ran for the fiire extinguisher
but realized it was too late

the theatre is on fire the cinema is burning
rumours spread faster than flames
there is always a patsy set up for the fall
who's to pay off the insurance claims

the fire spread across the ceiling
faster than a cheeta
he told the projectionist to stop the movies
and turn the lights up in the theatres
dropping the extinguisher
he entered calmly theatre one
announced a small fire was in the lobby
and evacuated everyone
as the last person went through the exit
the fire broke the glass on the door
flames filled the auditorium
where 50 people sat before

for five long years he suffered
as they dragged him through the courts
he engaged no lawyer
to provide legal support
he appealed to the jury
with a direct and honest gaze
how he chose evacuation
over extinguishing the blaze

the theatre is on fire the cinema is burning
and rumours spread faster than flames
there is always a patsy set up for the fall
who's to pay off the insurance claims

the jury found him innocent
and not at all at fault
and as he left the courtroom
the prosecutor explained it all
how the owner was not allowed to sue
the holders of the lease
but they could bring a lawsuit
against an employee

although the accusations
were nothing but a sham
legend wins out against the truth
and history dont give a damn
and still now after all these years
persists the common belief
that the burning ofthe orson welles
began in the popcorn machine