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I know, someone posted it here quite a while back, and I wikipedia'd the background on the song. The version I'm thinking to write is of a left-wing teenager that just graduates from high school that volunteers for a combat unit despite his misgivings and ideological reasons, and ends up jumping on a grenade to save his mates. It's a broad, general outline, and it will take some tweaking to fit the feeling of the original song.
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
Abusing Yellow is meant to be a labor of love, not something you sell to the highest bidder.
"Now that the holidays have come
They can relax and watch the sun
Rise above all
of the beautiful things
They've done.
Go to the country take the dog
Look at the sky without the smog
See the world laugh
at the farmers feeding hogs
Eat hot dogs.
What a pity
That the people from the city
Can't relate to the slower things
That the country brings.
Time itself is bought and sold.
The spreading fear of growing old
Contains a thousand foolish games
That we play.
While people
planning trips to stars
Allow another boulevard to claim
A quiet country lane
It's insane.
So the subtle face is a loser
This time around.
Here we are in the years
Where the showman
shifts the gears
Lives become careers
Children cry in fear
Let us out of here!"
"This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs
"There were three men came out of the West,
Their fortunes for to try,
And these three men made a solemn vow:
John Barleycorn must die.
They've ploughed, they've sewn, they've harrowed him in,
Threw clods upon his head,
And these three men made a solemn vow:
John Barleycorn was dead.
They've let him lie for a very long time,
˜Till the rains from heaven did fall,
And little Sir John sprung up his head,
And so amazed them all.
They've let him stand ˜till midsummer's day,
˜Till he looked both pale and wan,
And little Sir John's grown a long, long beard,
And so become a man.
They've hired men with the scythes so sharp,
To cut him off at the knee,
They've rolled him and tied him by the way,
Serving him most barbarously.
They've hired men with the sharp pitchforks,
Who pricked him to the heart,
And the loader he has served him worse than that,
For he's bound him to the cart
They've wheeled him around and around the field,
˜Till they came unto a barn,
And there they made a solemn oath,
On poor John Barleycorn.
They've hired men with the crab-tree sticks,
To cut him skin from bone,
And the miller he has served him worse than that,
For he's ground him between two stones.
And little Sir John and the nut-brown bowl,
And he's brandy in the glass;
And little Sir John and the nut-brown bowl,
Proved the strongest man at last.
The huntsman, he can't hunt the fox,
Nor so loudly to blow his horn,
And the tinker he can't mend kettle nor pot,
Without a little Barleycorn"
"This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs
A pretty cool way to pay tribute to one's father and his service:
Ain't found a way to kill me yet
Eyes burn with stinging sweat
Seems every path leads me to nowhere
Wife and kids household pet
Army green was no safe bet
The bullets scream to me from somewhere
Here they come to snuff the rooster, aww yeah, hey yeah
Yeah here come the rooster, yeah
You know he ain't gonna die
No, no, no, ya know he ain't gonna die (x2)
Walkin' tall machine gun man
They spit on me in my home land
Gloria sent me pictures of my boy
Got my pills 'gainst mosquito death
My Buddy's breathin' his dyin' breath
Oh god please won't you help me make it through
Here they come to snuff the rooster, aww yeah
Yeah here come the rooster, yeah
You know he ain't gonna die
No, no, no ya know he ain't gonna die
"So little pains do the vulgar take in the investigation of truth, accepting readily the first story that comes to hand." Thucydides 1.20.3
[Boy:]
I remember every little thing
As if it happened only yesterday
Parking by the lake
And there was not another car in sight
And I never had a girl
Looking any better than you did
And all the kids at school
They were wishing they were me that night
And now our bodies are oh so close and tight
It never felt so good, it never felt so right
And we're glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife
Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife
C'mon, hold on tight
C'mon, hold on tight
Though it's cold and lonely in the deep dark night
I can see paradise by the dashboard light
[Girl:]
Ain't no doubt about it we were doubly blessed
'Cause we were barely seventeen
And we were barely dressed
[Both:]
Ain't no doubt about it
Baby got to go out and shout it
Ain't no doubt about it
We were doubly blessed
[Boy:]
'Cause we were barely seventeen
And we were barely dressed
Baby don'cha hear my heart
You got it drowing out the radio
I've been waiting so long
For you to come along and have some fun
And I gotta let you know
No you're never gonna regret it
So open up your eyes, I got a big surprise
It'll feel all right
Well I wanna make you motor run
And now our bodies are oh so close and tight
It never felt so good, it never felt so right
And we're glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife
Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife
C'mon, Hold on tight
C'mon, Hold on tight
[Both:]
Though it's cold and lonely in the deep dark night
I can see paradise by the dashboard light
Paradise by the dashboard light
You got to do what you can
And let Mother Nature do the rest
Ain't no doubt about it
We were doubly blessed
'Cause we were barely seventeen
And we were barely
We're gonna go all the way tonight
We're gonna go all the way
And tonight's the night
[Radio Broadcast:]
OK, here we go, we got a real pressure cooker going here
Two down, nobody on, no score, bottom of the ninth
There's the wind-up, and there it is
A line shot up the middle, look at him go
This boy can really fly
He's rounding first and really turning it on now
He's not letting up at all, he's gonna try for second
The ball is bobbled out in the center
And here's the throw and what a throw
He's gonna slide in head first
Here he comes, he's out
No, wait, safe, safe at second base
This kid really makes things happen out there
Batter steps up to the plate
Here's the pitch, he's going
Amd what a jump he's got
He's trying for third
Here's the throw
It's in the dirt, safe a third
Holw cow, stolen base
He's taking a pretty big lead out there
Almost daring them to pick him off
The pitcher glances over, winds-up and it's bunted
Bunted down the third base line
The suicide squeeze is on
Here he comes, squeeze play, it's gonna be close
Here's the throw, here's the play at the plate
Holy cow, I think he's gonna make it
[Girl:]
Stop right there
I gotta know right now
Before we go any further
Do you love me
Will you love me forever
Do you need me
Will you make me so happy
For the rest of my life
Will you take me away
And will you make me your wife
Do you love me
Will you love me forever
Do you need me
Will you make me so happy
For the rest of my life
Will you take me away
And will you make me your wife
I gotta know right now
Before we go any further
Do you love me
Will you love me forever
[Boy:]
Let me sleep on it
Baby, baby let me sleep on it
Let me sleep on it
And I'll give you an answer in the morning
Let me sleep on it
Baby, baby let me sleep on it
Let me sleep on it
And I'll give you an answer in the morning
Let me sleep on it
Baby, baby let me sleep on it
Let me sleep on it
And I'll give you an answer in the morning
[Girl:]
I gotta know right now
Do you love me
Will you love me forever
Do you need me
Will you make me so happy
For the rest of my life
Will you take me away
And will you make me your wife
I gotta know right now
Before we go any further
Do you love me
And will you love me forever
[Boy:]
Let me sleep on it
Baby, baby let me sleep on it
Let me sleep on it
And I'll give you an answer in the morning
Let me sleep on it
[Girl:]
Will you love me forever
[Boy:]
Let me sleep on it
[Girl:]
Will you love me forever
[Boy:]
I couldn't take it any longer
Lord I was crazed
And when the feeling came upon me
Like a tidal wave
I started swearing to my god
And on my mother's grave
That I would love you to the end of time
I swore I would love you to the end of time
So now I'm praying for the end of time
To hurry up and arrive
'Cause if I gotta spend another minute with you
I don't think that I can really survive
I'll never break my promise or forget my vow
But God only knows what I can do right now
I'm praying for the end of time
So I can end my time with you
[Boy:]
It was long ago and it was far away,
And it was so much better than it is today.
[Girl:]
It never felt so good, It never felt so right
And we were glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife.
“Loyalty to country ALWAYS. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it.”
Mark Twain
"You walk into the room
With your pencil in your hand
You see somebody naked
And you say, "Who is that man ?"
You try so hard
But you don't understand
Just what you'll say
When you get home.
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones ?
You raise up your head
And you ask, "Is this where it is ?"
And somebody points to you and says
"It's his"
And you says, "What's mine ?"
And somebody else says, "Where what is ?"
And you say, "Oh my God
Am I here all alone ?"
But something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones ?
You hand in your ticket
And you go watch the geek
Who immediately walks up to you
When he hears you speak
And says, "How does it feel
To be such a freak ?"
And you say, "Impossible"
As he hands you a bone.
And something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones ?
You have many contacts
Among the lumberjacks
To get you facts
When someone attacks your imagination
But nobody has any respect
Anyway they already expect you
To all give a check
To tax-deductible charity organizations.
You've been with the professors
And they've all liked your looks
With great lawyers you have
Discussed lepers and crooks
You've been through all of
F. Scott Fitzgerald's books
You're very well read
It's well known.
But something is happening here
And you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones ?
Well, the sword swallower, he comes up to you
And then he kneels
He crosses himself
And then he clicks his high heels
And without further notice
He asks you how it feels
And he says, "Here is your throat back
Thanks for the loan".
And you know something is happening
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones ?
Now you see this one-eyed midget
Shouting the word "NOW"
And you say, "For what reason ?"
And he says, "How ?"
And you say, "What does this mean ?"
And he screams back, "You're a cow
Give me some milk
Or else go home".
Because something is happening
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones ?
Well, you walk into the room
Like a camel and then you frown
You put your eyes in your pocket
And your nose on the ground
There ought to be a law
Against you comin' around
You should be made
To wear earphones.
Does something is happening
And you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones ?"
"This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs
"You've traveled so far
The wind in your face
You're thinking you've found
The one special place
Where all of your dreams
Will walk out in line
And follow the course
You've made in your mind
Hey, it isn't gonna be that way
It isn't gonna be, that way
I came on my own
And felt much like you
I thought I was king
And knew what to do
But everything burned
And fell from my hand
I had to turn back
Or build a new plan
Cause it isn't gonna be that way
It isn't gonna be, that way
No, it isn't gonna be that way
It isn't gonna be, that way
If I were a god
I'd give you a clue
This minute would crack
And I could go through
And walk out in time
Where no one has been
I'd come back to you
And tell what I'd seen
Oh, but it isn't gonna be that way
It isn't gonna be, that way
You'll just have to live
And see what you find
And take it from there
And follow the signs
Yeah, you think you can live
And dream your own fate
You think you can wish
And walk through the gate
Oh, it isn't gonna be that way
It isn't gonna be that way
And n-n-n-no
It isn't gonna be that way
It isn't gonna be-ah-e, that way
Oh oh oh oh no, ooh"
"This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs
Well I don't mean to piss you off with things I might say
So when I try to shut my mouth, they come out anyway
So when I speak my mind, that's when we connect
Yeah, but that's not politically correct
Your head's so filled with thought, you can't use your imagination
Like a sky so filled with stars; you can't find a constellation
And everyone's so sensitive to any bad vibration
You're so impressing, while we're regressing
Cuz I don't mean to piss you off with things I might say
But when I try to shut my mouth they come out anyway
There's nothing I believe in more than my own insignificance
So why does everybody think my words can make a difference?
I just don't have time to think up every social consequence
I just keep on talking, and you keep applauding
And I don't mean to piss you off with things I might say
But when I try to shut my mouth, they come out anyway
And if you spoke your mind, you might feel more connected
Until you stand politically corrected
You lean a little to the left or the right, but
You can only see who's on your side
And look a little like a deer in the headlights
A little blind and hypnotized
So you conform with the best of intention
Change comes from inside
And after all, that's what this country was founded on
Do nothing different, just fall in line
Tell me what happened to make us so afraid, that
You couldn't make a Mel Brooks movie today? No!
I saw Blazing Saddles yesterday
I don't mean to piss you off with things I might say
But when I try to shut my mouth, they come out anyway
And I don't mean to piss you off with things I might say
And when I try to shut my mouth they come out anyway... GO!
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
Abusing Yellow is meant to be a labor of love, not something you sell to the highest bidder.
Hmmm, cool thread. For lyrics, there's a lot of very personal songs that ring true. As an Irishman songs like 'The Fields of Athenry' and 'On Raglan Road' can bring me to tears, especially at sport events, the passion of a country as overwhelmingly intoxicating as this one. As a child of the Mournes though, my all time favourite is 'The Mountains of Mourne', a poem turned song by Percy French. Lyrically just perfect, captures the pain of the Irish emigrant, and Don McClean did a great version too:
Oh, Mary, this London's a wonderful sight
With people here working by day and by night
They don't sow potatoes, nor barley nor wheat
But there' gangs of them digging for gold in the streets
At least when I asked them that's what I was told
So I just took a hand at this diggin' for gold
But for all that I found there I might as well be
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
I believe that when writin' a wish you expressed
As to how the fine ladies in London were dressed
Well, if you believe me, when asked to a ball
Faith, they don't wear no top to their dresses at all.
Oh, I've seen them myself and you could not in trath
Say if they were bound for a ball or a bath
Don't be startin' them fashions now, Mary Macree,
Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
I've seen England's king from the top of a bus
And I've never known him, but he means to know us.
And tho' by the Saxon we once were oppressed,
Still I cheered, God forgive me, I cheered with the rest.
And now that he's visited Erin's green shore
We'll be much better friends than we've been heretofore
When we've got all we want, we're as quiet as can be
Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
There's beautiful girls here, oh, never you mind
With beautiful shapes nature never designed
And lovely complexions all roses and cream
But O'Loughlin remarked with regard to the same
That if at those roses you venture to sip
The colours might all come away on your lip
So I'll wait for the wild rose that's waitin' for me
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
You remember young Peter O'Loughlin, of course
Well, now he is here at the head of the force
I met him today, I was crossing the Strand
And he stopped the whole street with a wave of his hand
And there we stood talkin' of days that are gone
While the whole population of London looked on
But for all these great powers he's wishful like me
To be back where the dark Mourne sweeps down to the sea.
Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that most stupid people are conservative. - John Stuart Mill.
A masterful work from a local boy. The opening verse is one of the greatest ever written for a love song.
"Into My Arms"
I don't believe in an interventionist God
But I know, darling, that you do
But if I did I would kneel down and ask Him
Not to intervene when it came to you
Not to touch a hair on your head
To leave you as you are
And if He felt He had to direct you
Then direct you into my arms
Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms
And I don't believe in the existence of angels
But looking at you I wonder if that's true
But if I did I would summon them together
And ask them to watch over you
To each burn a candle for you
To make bright and clear your path
And to walk, like Christ, in grace and love
And guide you into my arms
Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms
And I believe in Love
And I know that you do too
And I believe in some kind of path
That we can walk down, me and you
So keep your candle burning
And make her journey bright and pure
That she will keep returning
Always and evermore
Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms
Story songs can be great if well written. Here's one by Australia's greatest songwriter, Paul Kelly, and talented aboriginal songwriter Kev Carmody. It is the story of the 1966 Wave hill walk off - a seminal moment in modern Australian history.
Gather round people let me tell you're a story
An eight year long story of power and pride
British Lord Vestey and Vincent Lingiarri
Were opposite men on opposite sides
Vestey was fat with money and muscle
Beef was his business, broad was his door
Vincent was lean and spoke very little
He had no bank balance, hard dirt was his floor
From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow
Gurindji were working for nothing but rations
Where once they had gathered the wealth of the land
Daily the pressure got tighter and tighter
Gurindju decided they must make a stand
They picked up their swags and started off walking
At Wattie Creek they sat themselves down
Now it don't sound like much but it sure got tongues talking
Back at the homestead and then in the town
From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow
Vestey man said I'll double your wages
Seven quid a week you'll have in your hand
Vincent said uhuh we're not talking about wages
We're sitting right here till we get our land
Vestey man roared and Vestey man thundered
You don't stand the chance of a cinder in snow
Vince said if we fall others are rising
From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow
Then Vincent Lingiarri boarded an aeroplane
Landed in Sydney, big city of lights
And daily he went round softly speaking his story
To all kinds of men from all walks of life
And Vincent sat down with big politicians
This affair they told him is a matter of state
Let us sort it out, your people are hungry
Vincent said no thanks, we know how to wait
From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow
Then Vincent Lingiarri returned in an aeroplane
Back to his country once more to sit down
And he told his people let the stars keep on turning
We have friends in the south, in the cities and towns
Eight years went by, eight long years of waiting
Till one day a tall stranger appeared in the land
And he came with lawyers and he came with great ceremony
And through Vincent's fingers poured a handful of sand
From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow
That was the story of Vincent Lingairri
But this is the story of something much more
How power and privilege can not move a people
Who know where they stand and stand in the law
From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow
I could happily make this our national anthem. Written by a whitefella for his blackfella mate who was missing his home, it was first recorded by the Warumpi Band (the whitefella was the guitarist, neil Murray, the blackfella the lead singer, the late George Burarrwanga). It was re-recorded with modified lyrics by one of Murray's backup singers, Christine Anu, launching a successful solo career. Like George, she was also an island girl a long way from home. She performed it at the 2000 Olympics.
6 years i've been in the desert
and every night, i dream of the sea
they say home is were you find it
will this place ever satisfy me?
for i come from the salt water people
we've always lived by the sea
now i'm out here west of alice springs
with a wife and a family
and my island home
my island home
my island home
is waitin for me
in the evnin the dry wind blows
from the hills
and across the plain
i close my eyes and i'm standing
in a boat
on the sea again
and i'm holding a long tyello spear
and i feel unclothed now
to where it must be
my island home, is waitin for me
For i come from the salt water people
we've always lived by the sea
now i'm out here west of alice springs
with a wife and a family
and my island home
my island home
my island home
is waitin for me
in the evnin the dry wind blows
from the hills
and across the plain
i close my eyes and i'm standing
in a boat
on the sea again
and i'm holding a long tyello spear
and i feel unclothed now
to where it must be
my island home, is waitin for me
my island home
my island home
my island home
is waitin for me
my island home
my island home
my island home
my island home
my island home
my island home
my island home
my island home
my island home
my island home
my island home
my island home
my island home
my island home
my island home
my island home
my island home
my island home
"Off our rockers, actin' crazy
With the right medication we won't be lazy
Doin' the old folks boogie
Down on the farm
Wheelchairs, they was locked arm in arm
Paired off pacemakers with matchin' alarms
Gives us jus' one more chance
To spin one more yarn
And you know that you're over the hill
When your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill
Doin' the old folks boogie
And boogie we will
'Cause to us the thought's as good as a thrill
Back at the home,
No time is your own,
Facillities there, they're all out on loan
The bank forclose, and your bankruptcy shows
And your credit creeps to an all-time low
So you know, that you're over the hill
When your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill
Try and get a rise from an atrophied muscle,
And the nerves in your thigh just quivers and fizzles
So you know, that you're over the hill
When your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill"
"This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs
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