"Xiao-Li" (to the tune of "Yesterday" by the Beatles)

(Written and performed by Jeffrey Rosenthal, at the inaugural Pickard
Memorial Lecture at Harvard University on Nov 13, 2010.)


Yesterday
Students came to class but didn't stay
No one cared about me either way
Oh I was stuck in yesterday

Suddenly
There's a note from my old friend, Xiao-Li
The Pickard Lecturer this year is me
Oh what a change from yesterday

Why you've chosen me
I don't know, you didn't say
I'll take centre stage
And move on from yesterday

Yesterday
All my emptiness was on display
Now I get a chance to sing and play
Oh I've improved from yesterday
Mm mm mm, mm mm, mm mm