The Real Ambassadors title song Lyric (1962)

This is the title track to The Real Ambassadors 1962 musical by Dave & Iola Brubeck. The lyric goes into some of the real expectations of a cultural ambassador, while also having a bit of fun and even pointing out that Louis Armstrong did not necessarily agree with certain policies; but still managed to represent the United States as best he could. This was done mainly through his lifelong commitment to equality, smartly summarized by the lyric, "Soon our only differences will be in personality". Listen for Lambert, Hendricks & Ross to get into their thing when they cut loose at double time. For an overview of the Cultural Ambassador program check here.

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"The Real Ambassadors"
music by Dave Brubeck
lyrics by Iola Brubeck
sung by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross
with guest Louis Armstrong who sings marked lines *


"Who's the real ambassador?
It is evident we represent American society
Noted known for it's etiquette, it's manners and sobriety
We have followed protocol with absolute propriety
We're Yankees to the core

We're the real ambassadors
Though we may appear as bores
We are diplomats, in our proper hats
Our attire becomes a habitual along with all the ritual

The Diplomatic Corps
Has been analyzed and criticized by NBC and CBS
Senators and congressmen are so concerned they can't recess
State Department stands in awe, your coup d'etat has met success
And caused this great uproar
Who's the real ambassador?
Yeah!
The real ambassador!

(double time)
Who'stherealambassador?
ItisevidentwerepresentAmericansociety
Notedknownforit'setiquette, it'smannersandsobriety
Wehavefollowedprotocolwithabsolutepropriety
We'reYankeestothecore

We'retherealambassadors
Thoughwemayappearasbores
Wearediplomats, inourproperhats
Ourattirebecomesahabitualalongwithalltheritual

TheDiplomaticCorps
HasbeenanalyzedandcriticizedbyNBCandCBS
Senators and congressmenaresoconcernedtheycan'trecess
StateDepartmentstandsinawe, yourCoupd'etathasmetsuccess
Andcausedthisgreatuproar
Who'stherealambassador,yeah?!
Therealambassador!

*I'm the real ambassador
*It is evident I was sent
*By government to take your place
*All I do is play the Blues
*And met the people face to face
*I'll explain and make it plain
*I represent the human race
*And don't pretend no more

Who's the real ambassador?
Certain facts, we can't ignore
In my humble way, I'm the U.S.A.
Though I represent the government
The government don't represent some some policies I'm for
Oh, we learn to be concerned about the constitutionality
In our nation segregation isn't a legality
Soon our only differences will be in personality
That's what I stand for
Who's the real ambassador?
Yes
The real ambassador!

In his In my humble way, he's the U.S.A.
Though he represents the government
The government don't represent some policies he's for
Oh, we've learned to be concerned about the constitutionality
In our nation segregation isn't a legality
Soon our only differences will be in personality
*That's what I stand for
He's the real ambassador?
Yes!
The real ambassador!!

~~~
Here's a video of Satchmo in Ghana!