Ain't He a Genius

See the lady
Smiles as if to tell
Her son remembers everyone
Treats 'em all quite well

He never asked for promises
And now his fame is wide
And everyone who knew him well
Shares a little pride

Ain't he a genius?
The boy's become a star
And he smiles upon the faces
Who wish they could go far

Not long ago they criticized
The genius only wrote
And now they listen spellbound
With lumps caught in their throats

His virtue was sheer poverty
His vice was reading plays
While other children starved and fought
He learned just what to say

Through tension and confession
He beat the monster down
Then surfaced in society
No longer underground

Ain't he a genius?
The boy's become a star
And he smiles upon the faces
Who wish they could go far

Now they remember
Talk only of his good
While jealousy flows in their veins
And says, I wish I could

Ain't he a genius?