The Three Vinegar Tasters

Interesting Times (This song does not have posted lyrics)

The Three Vinegar Tasters Lyrics and Explanation

The bare basics of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism set to the tune of "How to Save a Life" by the Fray. The constant references to vinegar regard an ancient Chinese painting showing Buddha, Confucius and Lao Tzu each tasting vinegar. Buddha believes it is bitter because all life is suffering. It is not what he wanted. Confucius believes it is sour because it used to be fruit juice but it went bad. It is not what it once was. Lao Tzu believes it to be just right because that's what happens when you leave juice out.

Siddhartha saw each suffering breath
Desire, despair, disease and death
Follow Buddha's blessed math
The Four Great Truths, the Eightfold path
To reach Nirvana, no more pain
Jammin' out with Kurt Cobain
The vinegar is bitter
The vinegar is bitter

Chorus:
How do I find out what this life is
The vinegar of bitterness?
Has it gone sour? Is it just right?
And tell me how to live my life.

Confucius say (or Master Kong)
What was is right, what is is wrong
Like vinegar, the world's gone sour
With disrespect, abuse of power
We are not now as we once were
The ancient ways we must prefer
Study hard, do as your told
Love your kids, respect the old (Chorus)

Lao Tzu thought that he knew how
To follow heaven and the Tao
But what that is he cannot say
Just walk the Way by wei wu wei
Do not try, go with the flow
Do not learn and you will know
And though the others disagree
The vinegar is just how it should be (Chorus)