Björn Skifs - Opening ceremony lyrics

I've a duty as the referee
At the start of the match
On behalf of all our sponsors
I must welcome you
Which I do - there's a catch

I don't care if you're a champion
No one messes with me
I am ruthless in upholding
What I know is right
Black or white - as you'll see
I'm on the case can't be fooled
Any objection is overruled
Yes I'm the Arbiter and I know best

He's impartial, don't push him
He's unimpressed

You got your tricks good for you
But there's no gambit I don't see through
Oh, I'm the Arbiter I know the score



From square one he'll be watching all 64

If you're thinking of the kind of thing
That we've seen in the past
Chanting gurus, walkie talkies
Walkouts, hypnotists
Tempers, fists - not so fast

This is not the start of World War Three
No political ploys
I think both your constitutions
Are terrific so now you know - be good boys
I'm on the case can't be fooled
Any objection is overruled
Yes I'm the Arbiter and I know best

He's impartial, don't push him
He's unimpressed

You got your tricks good for you
But there's no gambit I don't see through
Oh, I'm the Arbiter I know the score

From square one he'll be watching all 64

Yes I'm the Arbiter I know the score

From square one he's watching all 64

No one can deny that
These are difficult times

It's the US versus USSR
Yet we more or less are

No one can deny that
These are difficult times
- to our credit putting all that aside
We have swallowed our pride

These are dangerous and difficult times

It really doesn't matter who
Comes out on top, who gets the chop
No one's way of life is
Threatened by a flop -
But we're gonna smash their bastard
Make him wanna change his name
Take him to the cleaners and devastate him
Wipe him out, humiliate him

We don't want the whole world saying
They can't even win a game
We have never reckoned on coming second
There's no use in losing

It's the US versus USSR
Yet we more or less are

No one can deny that
These are difficult times

- to our credit putting all that aside
We have swallowed our pride

These are very difficult and dangerous times

The value of events like this
Need not be stressed when East and West
Can meet as comrades
Ease the tension over drinks
Through sporting links
As long as their man sinks

Whether you are pro or anti
Or could not care less
We are here to tell you
We are here to sell you chess
Not a chance of you escaping from our wiles
We've locked the doors
We've blocked the aisles
We've a franchise worth exploiting
And we will - yes we will!
When it comes to merchandising we could kill

When you get up -
When you get up in the morning
Till you crash at night
You will have to live your life
With bishop, rook and knight
Clean your teeth with chequered toothpaste
Wear our vests
Our kings and queens on bouncing breasts
You could even buy a set and learn to play
We don't mind we'll sell you something
Anyway

We've done all our market research
And our findings show
That this game of chess could be around
A month or so maybe it's a bit confusing
For a game
But Rubik's Cubes were much the same
In the end the whole world bought one
All were gone by which time we merchandisers
Had moved on

By which time we had moved on!

I'm on the case, can't be fooled
Any objection is overruled
Don't try to tempt me - you've no hope
I don't like women, I don't take dope
I'm the Arbiter I know the score

From square one he'll be watching all 64

You got your tricks - good for you
But there is no gambit I don't see through
I'm the Arbiter and I know best

He's impartial don't push
Him he's unimpressed

I'm the Arbiter my word is law

From square one he'll be watching you

Don't you find it rather touching to behold
The game that came in from the cold
Seen for what it is - religion plus finesse
Countries, classes, creeds, as one in
Love of chess