Komi on Your Side By Todd Blatt

(to the tune and rhythm of Hamilton’s Washington on your side)
Vocals by Karoline Li and Todd Blatt


It must be nice to play as white
and have komi on your side.
It must be nice to play as black
and have sente on your side.

Ev’ry player should always read ahead on their turn
So many books to read and lots of joseki to learn
You’ll play dozens of games before each kyu rank is earned
Only start on the path to Shodan if you’ve got the time to burn
Many players play through lunch like it’s no concern
Games can go all night until you seal a move and adjourn
Black might always go first but white gets those points in return
Trying to make-up for komi can make your stomach churn

I get to the endgame and managed to get all my groups to live
Somebody tell me when we count the points I’ll find I have plenty extra to give!
Komi’s worth seven and a half; white’s score gets increased
To win this game I’ve gotta lead by that much at least

It must be nice to play as white
and have komi on your side.
It must be nice to play as black
and have sente on your side.
Look back at the game record
Which I played
My group almost died!
It must be nice to play as black
and have sente on your side.

So you’ve chased me across the board
and one of my groups is weak oh what a surprise
It needs two eyes
Or else it dies
I can’t let that be my demise
Compromise, you take some points
And I take some points, but stay alive
Try taking too many and you might not survive
And have to resign.

Somebody has to make the first move
You’ll always play black until you improve
If there’s a moyo you need to reduce
Just jump right in and go for a truce
I’m in byo-yomi but I’m on a mission
The timer is ticking in this exhibition
I’ve got a suspicion that this ambition
Will partition me off a new acquisition
This timer’s out!
Oh!
This invasion's not one I usually choose Go!
This tricky game is way too easy to lose. Go!
Let’s look at the pairings to see who I’m up against Go!
A bright little kid so the fighting will sure be intense! Go!
Now read out the battle and see where it goes Go!
With every wrong move my opponent’s score grows Go!
If we follow the ladder and see where it leads
As the fighting proceeds, look at your needs
That’s how you succeed.

It must be nice to play as white
She does tsumego and it really shows
It must be nice to play as black
His tesujis keep me on my toes
Black will still lose, if the score ends up tied
So,
It must be nice to play as white
and have komi on your side.