So you believe in Mani? Once a young upstart,
He read Puran and Kural. . .how he got his start.
It was Mani who then started a movement--
He was more than compelled; it was a behoovement.
I'm tellin' you 'bout Mani, but I've got a source sole:
It's name's Wikipedia and has some shocking holes.

If you believe in Mani, well I got some news:
Manichaeism. . .I'm afraid it did lose.
The Zoroastrians on it didn't smile,
And so they put him in prison, and he had no file.
Guess he was yappin' and they called it a crime;
He was stuck there, with no air, sunshine.

It was grievous for Mani, who was not set free;
He lasted few mornings; "Illness will snuff out me."
Then wasted from no nourishment bites--
No meat, even marrow--fasting was his plight.
And then he was finished, baby--can't you see:
Manichaeism's a loser, history oddity.

So, do you believe in Mani?
Yeah? Believing in Mani--that's such a strange goal.
Believe that'll brand ya with a nut-job role,
And you'll be like Mani and not be set free.
No talkin' 'bout Mani!

For you there's grief, if you believe in Mani. . .