Write It to the Tune of ... Poetry Contest

[Pendragon]

I had considered doing this for sometime, and what the hay, let's go for it!

Take this poem I wrote from the "Famous Quoted Line Poetry Contest."

Night of the Demon

Trying to fall asleep but the reality
There is a nightmare crouched on my chest
Now he could be delusion, a night time illusion
All that I know is that he keeps me from my rest

I put on a CD, of sounds of serenity
Didn't block the eyes of the demon in my view
He digs in his back claws, torments me without cause
I need my sleep but what the hell can I do?

Tossing and turning, my eyes red and burning
There's still the weight of a demon in my view
I'm getting frantic, headed for major panic
Wonder if he'd move on if he swallowed a bullet or two?

Pendragon
(C) 6/25/2013

Now go back, and read again. It is written to the tune of Jimmy Buffet's hit song "Margaritaville" Only the verses, not the chorus. Try singing it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue2-ZVxpVjc

Now this contest is simple. You get a song, if your are not familiar with the tune, post a link to it. You then write a poem that can be sung to the tune given. Could be fun, if you are willing to try.

First song for the first contest:

Have a Nice Day--Bon Jovi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeVWPz-fcR0

I will see what kind of turnout we have, and then post a deadline. What do have to loose? The poem can be on anything as long as it fits the tune. :party:

[Calidore]

Fun idea, Pendragon!

[YesNo]

Where's this anger coming from? I want to know
Why I lost my heart so many years ago.

Kick me while I whimper on that filthy street
Weak and waiting for a cuter friend to meet.

You crushed me, thought you understood, but I'm still here
Hating you because your wickedness is near.

Oh! Projections of myself are what I push outside.
Yeah! Projections of a demon that you're forced to ride
Heating up your heart, ripping you apart,
Showing you a love you never thought would start.
You had better run away. Get out!
I'll make you stay.
I'll make you stay.


Scream! It doesn't help. It doesn't make me sad.
You're the one projecting. You're the one who's mad.

Take me for a fool that cries pathetically.
You're no prize that's worth some pouting jealousy.

I will leave you when I want. I'm not like you.
When you think you love me, I'll say that we're through.

Oh! Projections of myself are what I push outside.
Yeah! Projections of a demon that you're forced to ride
Heating up your heart, ripping you apart,
Showing you a love you never thought would start.
You had better run away. Get out!
I'll make you stay.
I'll make you stay.


No knight is on his way who cares to help you out.
Delusions are those locks that you complain about.

Get out!
I'll make you stay.
I'll make you stay.

[Pendragon]

Sorry, YesNo, I think you did a good job, but people have complained that the song is too difficult for poetry writing. So we offer another perhaps catchier tune. This is Simon and Garfunkel, "Sound of Silence."

Please note the poem can be as long as you wish or as short as one stanza as long as it follows the tune.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9voMukBcHi0

Deadline August 15th one way or another...

Pen

[YesNo]

No problem, Pendragon. The "Sound of Silence" seems more interesting. Good idea for a contest.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

...This is Simon and Garfunkel, "Sound of Silence."
....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9voMukBcHi0

...

Hello Weber my old friend.
I’ve come to grill with you again.
Charcoal briquettes are piled high.
A gallon of fluid lights the sky.

And the Hickory smoke that is wafting in my face,
I embrace

I hold the tongs of power.

Brats are hot and start to swell.
New York Strip is medium well.
Shrimp on the grill are swimming.
Glazed chicken legs are dancing.

To the tune of the flashing briquettes light,
that sparks the night.

I hold the tongs of power.

http://www.weber.com/grills/series/one-touch

[Melanie]

^ :smilielol5:

[Calidore]

Hello darkness my old friend
I wake to look at you again
Through the window I hear feet walking
Time to gather up and start hawking
The box of apples on my table, sun or rain
While I strain
To hear the sound of fivepence

Horses clop and cartwheels groan
On the busy streets of stone
Trying not to look too much the tramp
I stand and stretch out a persistent cramp
And my dead eyes seek any hint of the daytime light
But just see night
And I listen for the sound of fivepence

In front of me I hear a jeer
And an apple disappears
But I also hear footsteps stopping
And the sound of precious coins dropping
Gentlemen, ladies fair, working folk all willing to share
I say a prayer
In exchange for the sound of fivepence

[Pendragon]

We have two wonderful entries! Surely there are more? Anyone? Please?

[Melanie]

(to the tune of "Sound of Silence")

Hello Gym, you're not my friend
You're talking-weight-scale oft offends
I want to throw those Yoga Balls at you
And toss my worn Cross-Trainer shoes in too
and the barbells
that are now planted in my chest
I regret
Wait, who's
That new
Fitness trainer?

Suck in my gut, tighten my butt
S'cuse me...gluteus maximus.
Isometrics and Body Mass Index
Bench presses and curls for my biceps
And sit-ups
That's what Middle Management means?
In my dreams
Wait, here comes
That new
Fitness trainer.

From cinnamon buns to buns of steel
"Feel the burn!", the trainer squeals.
"Work those pecs and glutes, those tri's and bi's
Hammies, lats...did you detoxify?!"
My heavy breathing
Is a sound I'd rather hear in bed
That's what I said
Wait, you're not
My friend,
Fitness trainer.

[AuntShecky]

Those three previous entries rock!

Hello, Gotham, you massive mall,
I thought I’d pay you a call:
a city that’s never caught sleeping
though baseball fans are kept weeping
with the price of tickets flying through the roof
and A-Rod still swings under steroid proof
toward pitchers’ mounds, in silence.

Without a ride, I schlepped through town
with waiting cabs nowhere around--
their drivers would rather quaff a poison cup
than lose their fears and pick me up--
while boys in blue all alert and brisk
grabbing a guy to stop and frisk
with no real grounds of violence.

A soothing smoke would calm the dark,
but the city won’t allow it near the park,
and warns that I shouldn’t even think
about super-sizing a cold soft drink
o’er sixteen ounces, despite my mood,
or scarfing down pounds of trans-fat food,
all salted up, in silence.

[Pendragon]

Time to wrap this contest up, I think.

GG I love that line :I hold the tongs of power..."

Calidore: Very neat description of a coastermonger's life

Melanie: That first line is priceless! What makes it not my friend are the people with perfect bodies complaining about gaining a pound while I'm trying to drop 100lb...

Aunt Shecky (Hi. BTW, long time no hear!) Neat play

But I have to pick one...

Congrats, GilbertGurgle! GG, you had me at "tongs of power"

NEXT!

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Well, looky there!
I recall I was actually grilling that evening, it was only natural.
Thanks!

Next song Moody Blues Tuesday Afternoon
Let's see how you handle the "sigh" held through a couple of measures.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7MY1rtPL5Q

[Calidore]

Congrats, Gilliatt! Winner hosts the barbeque, I believe. :drool5:

[Pendragon]

Friday Night Blues

Friday after dark,
I’m just beginning to drink
All of the clouds away—
Not that it matters to me
So long as I don’t have to think—

Tequila is calling to me—
Is there a barmaid anywhere—
Still all the voices that ring in my head
Can’t be hushed by tequila and beeeeeeeeeeeeeer

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, my!

I’m examining myself, trying to figure why
I always drink my way into a clouded, clouded mind
As I grow hazy in this lonesome fog of beer
Come on down and see, and grab a glass of cheer

Friday after dark,
Friday after dark—

Friday after dark
My mind is beginning to grow numb
Now I’m well on my way—
What does it really matter to me
If the whole world thinks I’m dumb?

The bartender is calling to me
“Closing time is drawing near
Can I call you a cab?”
Voices still ring in a drunken haze
But I tell him OK with a sneeeeeeeeeeeeer—

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, my!

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, myyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

Pendragon

[Melanie]

Next song Moody Blues Tuesday Afternoon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7MY1rtPL5Q

Dawn comes, after night.
Yesterday's silent secrets
and unsettled slumbers,
are today's inspirations
with wings unencumbered.

Lost in, reverie.
Rambling through the universe
scattered words like stars,
abstract musings apertif
poetic caviar. (cavi..ahh..ahh..rr)

I'm gathering my thoughts and words to marinate
Externalizing the internal illuminates
Piecing together a mosaic of my mind
When you awaken, follow me and you will find

Dawn comes after night.

Dawn comes after night.

[YesNo]

Some day, holding you,
The screams will stop for a while
As a breeze goes by.
We'll cast each other a smile
Calming the victim's cry.

Each day, loving you,
Those dreams we lost when asleep
Stand up with bright, fresh eyes.
Those hopes dropped into the deep
Awaken to help us rise.

We never knew that life could offer us such fun.
We cast our hearts and play. The world has just begun
And in your twinkling eyes I find myself a place
Forgetting all that's near to fill it with your face
Some day, holding you,
Some day, holding you.

Some day, holding you,
The screams will stop for a while
As a breeze goes by.
We'll cast each other a smile
Calming the victim's cry.

Each day, loving you,
Those dreams we lost when asleep
Stand up with bright, fresh eyes.
Those hopes dropped into the deep
Awaken to help us rise.

[AuntShecky]

Congratulations, GG!

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Thanks, how about a "moody" poem while you're here?

btw- let's give it another week and see where we stand.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Pendragon

Hilarious with: “Tequila is calling me”, “voices that ring in my head”, “lonesome fog of beer”.
There were couple of spots tripped me up when trying to keep pace with the song.

Melanie
Taking a more sober tasteful approach.
I particularly appreciate the lines…

“…scattered words like stars,
abstract musings apertif
poetic caviar. (cavi..ahh..ahh..rr)…”

I was having difficulty holding out the full measures singing “caviar” without a chuckle.

YesNo
I particularly enjoyed this, the words meshed well with the tune, though I’m still working out my interpretation. What comes across, at first blush, as overall pleasant words expressing desire, love between a couple, there is something sinister or distressing in the words “..the screams will stop for a while” and “…calming the victim’s cry”.

For some reason, the poem led me to this Moody Blues song… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89ulXt7AJBM

The Grammy award goes to YesNo for well meshed words and a poem that has me still wondering.

[YesNo]

I particularly enjoyed this, the words meshed well with the tune, though I’m still working out my interpretation. What comes across, at first blush, as overall pleasant words expressing desire, love between a couple, there is something sinister or distressing in the words “..the screams will stop for a while” and “…calming the victim’s cry”.

For some reason, the poem led me to this Moody Blues song… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89ulXt7AJBM


Thanks, Gilliatt Gurgle! As far as an interpretation, I was trying to suggest the couple was having troubles in their relationship in the first 10 shorter lines that would have been resolved in the longer 4 if they could only figure out how to do that. The ideas in "Never Comes the Day" do seem similar, especially, "If only you knew what's inside of me now you wouldn't want to know me somehow."

The next tune is the Rodgers and Hammerstein song You'll Never Walk Alone.

If was only within the last year that I saw Carousel for the first time. Here are excepts containing the song at the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4_NdiPSmbs

Deadline: Oct 12, three weeks from now

[Pendragon]

Just Because It Is There!

Then the pathway of Everest, made men want to try
Although lonely and afraid of the dark—
When the mountain is defeated, there’s a golden prize
Though some lives might be lost, still embark
Struggle on against the cruel cold
Struggle on through the ice
When your courage fails, think and devise
Climb on, climb on, victory is in sight
And never give up the fight
For the joy of the triumph is nigh

Pendragon
9/23/2013

[AuntShecky]

My Password is “Password”


When you boot up your PC,
set your guards on high,
and don’t be afraid of the troll.

On the track of each site
lurks a nosy eye
that swiftly can snoop into your soul.

Click on to the page,
scroll down past the ads,
yet your secrets will be known.

Log on, log on, on the World Wide Web,
but you’ll never surf alone.
You’ll never surf alone.

[Hawkman]

How true - You'll have the entire population of Liverpool following you around and whining in your ear :D

[YesNo]

Time is up for this contest. Thank you for all the submissions.

Pendragon: Climbing even a small mountain, let alone Everest, would be an impossible task for me with or without the encouragement of the song. The "climb on" fit the spirit of the tune.

AuntShecky: I know someone who actually used "password" as his password and even let me know what it was.

I noticed from the versions of the song on YouTube that Liverpool uses it as a sort of theme song. That kind of surprised me, but it is a nice song, so why not?

And the winner is AuntShecky!

Congratulations!

[Melanie]

Congratulations AuntShecky! So clever. YesNo, I'm sorry I didn't participate this time but it wasn't because I didn't want to. I tried to enter several times and I just couldn't get anything to take flight so I finally gave up. Maybe a little fresh air will clear my mind. It was a great song you posted!

[YesNo]

That's OK, Melanie. There were two good submissions. There are a few contests I have yet to think of something to write about.

[Calidore]

I've been struggling with the muse lately, too, here and in the satire contest. Either the given phrase triggers something or it doesn't. I envy those people who can pull inspiration out of anything.

[AuntShecky]

Thank you very much, YesNo, and thanks to my fellow LitNutters for the comments as well.

Next up-- a haunting theme. Again we're going to tap Richard Rodgers, but this time not Hammerstein but his earlier-- and some would say "edgier"-- lyricist--Lorenz Hart. The song is:




"Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered"

You don't have to write about Halloween, but the "hook" should consist of three adjectives, just as in the original.

The deadline will be Friday, November 1. (Maybe there'll be a couple of reminders posted before then.)
I really hope we will get several entries.

The song originally appeared in a Broadway musical circa 1940, adapted from a novel by the underated John O'Hara. In the movie version of Pal Joey, starring Frank Sinatra and Kim Novak,Rita Hayworth performed a sultry version of the song. It was revived once more in the late 80s when it was featured in a Woody Allen movie.

Sorry that this month's song isn't of more "recent" vintage, but consider where your ol' auntie is coming from. Don't forget-- yours fooly is so out of touch that she thinks "twerking" is wasting too much time on Twitter when you're supposed to be working!

Looking forward to reading your parodies!

EDITED--Oct. 17, 2013, 3:46 EDT
The original posting had an error, in which it erroneously stated that the song first appeared in Babes in Arms, with a later movie version starring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. Actually the song in Babes in Arms which was revived for the movie version of Pal Joey was "My Funny Valentine." Sorry for the confusion!

Despite all that, "Bewitched,Bothered and Bewildered" remains the song pick for this contest."

[Pendragon]

"Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered"


Were you aware that they were the Bats in Pogo Possum comics by Walt Kelly?

http://nohtv.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/bewitched-bothered-bemildred-deepness.jpg

[AuntShecky]

Thanks for reviving a fond memory, Pen! I purely miss "Pogo," and all of us could surely use some of Walt Kelly's subtle satire these days! Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to your entry.

I finally got the speakers working on the PC ("Pong 3.0") and found several pages of YouTube links to our song. This rendition (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waUuivDa90c) is by the Velvet Fog, but you can also find versions from many other vocalists, including Ella, the Chairman of the Board, as well as more contemporary artists.

[Melanie]

To the tune of "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered"...

Bedazzled, Champagned, and Becupcaked

Bejeweled again, besmiled again
A shimmering, glimmering bride again
Bedazzled, champagned, and becupcaked am I...

I could not think. Too much *clink* *clink*
He whispered, "My dear, please put down your drink"
Befuzzled, beliquored, and begiggled am I...

Tipsy here and tipsy there
Up the stairs to the balcony
Threw my bouquet in the air
And that's the last of my memory

Next thing I know, a cuppa Joe
The honeymoon, Romeo must forego
Beshowered, beflanneled, and beslippered am I.

[AuntShecky]

Way to go, Melanie! Thanks for getting the ball rollin'!

[Pendragon]

Besmirched, Belittled and Betrayed

After one scathing putdown
Anger rises in my soul
They laugh at me like a clown
The silent dragon, icy cold cold
I tried again and got rejected
Self satisfied hypocrites
One more time I’ve been ejected
Their mocking has left me in a mess

I am mad again, feeling bad again
Do they have to do all this again
Besmirched, belittled and betrayed am I
Countless wounds run deep, keep me from my sleep
They tossed me out upon a garbage heap
Besmirched, belittled and betrayed am I

Cold my heart, but what of it
No one hears my desperate plea
They all laugh but I'll have the last one,
revenge is sweet and then some
And I long for the day when my revenge is done
Besmirched, belittled and betrayed am I

They all laugh, think I don’t know it
But the fools drop clues enough
I'm in pain and I don't show it it
But concealing rage is tough
Lately the familiar sad sensation
Bitter tears run down my cheek
since these half-wit imitations
Put me in this vocal clink

I've cursed a lot, wish things were reversed a lot
But I have to bear the brunt a lot
Besmirched, belittled and betrayed am I am
I will get them in the end, let my sarcasm rip and tear again
And take my bloody revenge of them
Besmirched, belittled and betrayed am I

Pendragon © 10/20/2013

[YesNo]

Life's been good and I've done well.
I've had my pick of lusty friends,
But live-in lovers love to tell
Me where my freedom ends.

She would rearrange the place,
Clean or pitch what I hold dear,
But that giggly, bright-eyed face
Made my smile appear.

I'm lost again. I'm tossed again.
With love in control I'd be bossed again.
Light-hearted, light-headed and lonely am I.

It turned out she was not that bad,
Not the way I thought she'd be.
When she left, it made me sad
She was not with me.

I'm me again. I see again
I guess I deserve to be free again.
Light-hearted, light-headed, but lonely am I.

[AuntShecky]

Oh, boy--two more lyricists! Thanks Pen and Yes/No.

Let's see some more LitNutters give this ditty a rip. Deadline is November 1.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

After sixty years of “howdy folks”,
Fletchers corn dogs an fritters,
turkey legs and beer provokes
a bad case of the jitters.

Among the west’s greatest creation,
I began life as Santa Clause.
But Kerens Texas Christmas sensation
headed north to the State Fair’s calls.
I stood tall again, bowlegged again,
a maniacal, mechanical man again.
Beloved, but haggard an bedraggled was I

It was 2012 season on my 60th birthday.
faulty wiring developed, insulation did fray
Short circuited, sparked then scorched was I

Lost my skivvies to the flame.
My spurs no longer jingle.
Crowds mourned, such a shame,
among ashes a phoenix does mingle.

It’s 2013, throngs flock to him, each day to him.
Big Tex redux, his new duds cling to him.
Reborn, redressed, rebooted is he.

A stoic icon and he knows it.
Size seventy boots planted fast.
A sail for a shirt, Dickies jeans to fit,
over Dallas his arms are cast.

I’ve welcomed a lot, corn dogged a lot,
watched OU stomp UT a lot.
Big eared, be grinned, Big Texed am I.


Fall of Big Tex 2012

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Big_Tex_fire.2_retouched.jpg/320px-Big_Tex_fire.2_retouched.jpg

Big Tex redux 2013

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Big_Tex_2013.jpg/320px-Big_Tex_2013.jpg

[AuntShecky]

Coming down to the finish line, LitNutters, so if you're thinking of chiming in on this round, now's the time. The winner will be announced tomorrow or soon after, depending on whether this PC ( "Pong 3.0") cooperates.

[AuntShecky]

Well, it's been 24 hours since the Last Call, and since there doesn't seem to be any last-minute contestants,I guess it's okay to close up this round. Not only that, there are high wind warnings here in East Hogwash, my neck o' the woods, making me worry about losing the electricity and/or the cable, so to be safe rather than sorry, here's the result:

All four entries were top shelf. The original lyricist Lorenz "Larry" Hart had a irrepressible (though reportedly prankish) sense of humor, and I'm willing to bet he would have gotten some laughs out of these.

It's great that 3 of the 4 contestants included the "verse" or the opening part of the song, which frankly I had forgotten about, even though right before this round of the contest I saw Pal Joey on tv again and heard Rita Hayworth's rendition of the complete song. I also liked the fact that all four remembered to include internal rhymes which the original lyrics feature.

Pen -- Even though the theme of your parody is poignant, it does not lack for wit "cursed a lot/reversed a lot"--not to mention wisdom: "Concealing rage is tough." Keep up the good work!

Yes/No--The meter and rhyme in the following lines are perfect: "I'm lost again/I'm tossed again/With love in control I'd be bossed again." The irony ranks right up there with Hart's original, and also reminds me of the sarcasm in another standard of the era (by Cole Porter? )--"Everything I've Got Belongs to You."

Gilliat Gurgle--Your originality astounds me! Who would imagine having a man-made object (albeit a Texas icon) as the narrator? It's fun to imagine "Big Tex" actually warbling these lines. He must be a basso-profundo, or at least a baritone. Your lyrics are full of funny lines-- "Lost my skivvies to the flame/my spurs no longer jingle."

and finally, last but certainly not leastMelanie-- You fully captured the wit and the befuddlement, the deliciously perplexed theme of the original lyrics, but you were sure as heck "original" yourself. I was "bedazzed" if not, alas, "champagned." Let's face it, you had me at "becupcaked." This one takes the cake, and you win this round.

Meanwhile Pendragon, Yes/No, and Gilliat G. all have reason to celebrate. *Clink* *Clink* Fine work all around.

Okay, Melanie, you're up next-- Name That Tune!

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Thanks for your comments.
The return of Big Tex took the headlines for a spell around here.
btw - Big Tex took a shine to Ella's variant of the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26m8h9DxeTo

Congrats Mellanie

[Melanie]

Well, I'll becupcaked! Thank you! That was fun for all of us.
You caught me by surprise so let me take a little time to find a song and I'll beback in a bejiffy. (someone stop me)

[Melanie]

Okay, next….write it to the tune of "House of the Rising Sun"
…though I'm not suggesting you write about a house of ill-repute :biggrin5:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxYGeTV6fCw

Deadline is November 20th

[Pendragon]

Face the Rising Sun

There is a place I'd love to be
To face the rising sun
Out on the Outer Banks' lovely beach
When the day at last is done

There is a sweet serenity
Born of waves and sand
The beaches there still call to me
I gotta go there again

I fill my cocktail glass to the brim
And lie there in the sun
I take a cold refreshing swim
And then a bracing run

If you are looking for me baby
I am easy to be found
On the beach or on the ferry
So I hope you'll come on down

Ocracoke is a lovely island
Blackbeard's last retreat
But by the Hatteras lighthouse's sand
That is where we'll meet

Vacation is nearly over
There's so much to be done
At least spend one day of summer
Lying with me in the Carolina sun!

Pendagon
11/4/2011

[Melanie]

tick…tick…tick………………4 days left

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Ballad of the Fouke Monster

There is dark water in Arkansas
they call the Boggy Creek,
and it’s been the source of many hairy tales,
a Bigfoot hunters seek.

His mother was a Yeti,
that hailed from Tibet.
His father traipsed the great north woods,
no one’s caught him yet.

In Fouke all that a Bigfoot needs,
are woods and huge pedal physique.
And the only time he’s satisfied
is spook’n folks along Boggy Creek.

Now you cryptids tell your children,
protect our kinds’ mystique.
Stick to banks in the soft moonlight
down along Boggy Creek.


Inspired by a book I'm currently reading; The Beast of Boggy Creek - The true Story of the Fouke Monster
by Lyle Blackburn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9V44D9xZ70

[YesNo]

That cabin out past Farmington
Is haunted, so they said.
It's buried deep in lush, dark woods,
A crypt for those long dead.

We used to live there, cleared the land
And had some crops for sale.
We did things we should not have done
And things began to fail.

The things we did don't matter much
Though others might think so.
Forgive them? Why? It's all their fault.
Of that we won't let go.

The cabin's weak, but standing there.
It rests on rubble still,
But no one lives inside it now
And no one ever will.

In time it will sink to the earth
The way that matter must
And free my folks who haunt the place
And free me, too, I trust.

[Melanie]

Congrats YesNo! You delivered a very touching and poignant poem, not only inspired by the tune but also inspired by the lyrics to write a personal true story of past places, mothers, fathers, children, etc. Your poem was very moving as you shared the plight of your family's farm…so many are unfairly endangered. It breaks my heart but makes for very effective poetry. Very powerful last stanza too….and well written.



Face the Rising Sun...

Ocracoke is a lovely island
Blackbeard's last retreat...
Thank you for your courage to post the first poem. It was a near winner. I liked the relaxing feeling it evoked which went well with the slow tune. It conjured up images I've only seen on postcards since I've never been to the Outer Banks, even though I've been a Carolina girl for 13 years! I really hate admitting that :blush2:



...And the only time he’s satisfied
is spook’n folks along Boggy Creek…
Loved the poem but you did a pretty good job of doing some spookin' yourself! That video link you posted was SCARY!! But I'll forgive you long enough to tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed your poem. It told a tale of mystery and intrigue…and you told it well. Another close contender.

[YesNo]

Thanks, Melanie! I did grow up on a farm in Indiana. That farmhouse has long been removed.

The next song is Jingle Bells.

Deadline: December 7th, two weeks from now.

[YesNo]

Bump.

I may have to extend this or get a new song.

[YesNo]

It looks like today is the deadline. I'll extend it to December 25th. Any Christmas song may be used.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

It looks like today is the deadline. I'll extend it to December 25th. Any Christmas song may be used.

December 25th seems appropriate, good idea.

[AuntShecky]

Any Christmas song? How about a medley? Here are updates on two holiday classics, the J. Fred Coots/Haven Gillespie ditty framed by another well-known Yuletide character in a tune by Jack Rollins and Steve Nelson:

A Medley of Two Christmas Faves

Snowden the Techie,
the corporate-hired geek,
went online to do his job
and seldom stopped to speak.

Snowden the Techie
in a cube across the sea
clicked upon a scary trend
that should worry you and me.

There must have been a virus
in that old device I used,
‘cause when I tried to boot it up
I think I blew a fuse.

But Snowden the Techie–
he knew just what was wrong.
He sprung a leak and began to squeak
like a mouse with this sad song:





You’d better not text;
you’d better not tweet.
Don’t blog when you’re vexed–-
I’ll tell ya, my sweet–
the NSA is snoopin’ around.

It’s gathering bytes,
puts data on ice,
setting its sights
on your fetish and vice.
The NSA is snoopin’ around.

It reads your private emails;
it hears your personal calls;
it tracks all of your Facebook friends
and what they post upon your walls.

So unplug your PC;
sell your phone on eBay,
‘cause down in DC
they watch what you say–
the NSA is snoopin’ around.


Snowden the Techie
had to hide himself away
in Moscow or in Cyberspace,
so he won’t be back some day–
No, he won’t be back some day!

[YesNo]

That's right, ANY Christmas song. Santa came early this year. Nice medley, by the way! They sound like winners.

Anybody else?

[Pendragon]

Jolly Old Spy

You better watch out, better open your eyes
Better watch your step I'm telling you why
Santa Claus works for the NSA

He's making a list, keeping a file
Every call you make, and your whole life style
Santa Claus works for the NSA

He sees you when you're sleeping
Through the camera in your TV
He records everything you say
Hidden microphones, you see

You better ditch your cell phone, change address
Disguise yourself to avoid the mess
Santa Claus works for the NSA

The only way to avoid this
Is to live off of the grid
So buy some remote property
And keep your family hid

Oh you better wake up, avoid this dude
Before your private life is on the news
Santa Claus works for the NSA

Yeah that fat old guy works for the NSA

Pendragon (C) December 14, 2013

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Like This is Called "Like"

To the tune of "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas"
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=49LAPkV9xJg

Like I want the word "like" for Christmas.
Like "erudite" & "didactic" like, won't do.
Like I don't want no book or like a rotary dial phone.
Like I want to Tweet my "likes" in a most annoying tone.

Like I want the word "like" for Christmas.
Like I bet baby manger Santa will like give it to me.
Like I can live without "whatever" and "LOL"
Like just give me "like" cuz it's easier to spell.

Like "OMG" I'm so surprised,
like its there before my eyes.
Like sitting under the like Christmas tree.

Like I want the word "like" for Christmas...

[prendrelemick]

Here's one we used to sing in 2nd year juniors (not for competition)

Jingle bells Batman smells
Robin flew away
The Batmobile lost its wheel
Halfway down the lane.

[Calidore]

Here's one we used to sing in 2nd year juniors (not for competition)

Jingle bells Batman smells
Robin flew away
The Batmobile lost its wheel
Halfway down the lane.

Wow, memories. Here's the version I knew when I was a kid (regional variances?):

Jingle bells Batman smells
Robin laid an egg
The Batmobile has lost its wheel
And Joker got away

[YesNo]

The one I remember started with "Jingle bells, shotgun shells" I can't remember the rest of it unfortunately.

Three days left for this contest!

[prendrelemick]

Does any one remember this one?

While shepherds stewed their carrot tops,
All seated round the pot ,
The Angel of the Lord came down
And scoffed the bl**dy lot.

Or this?

While shepherds washed their socks by night
All seated round the tub
The Angel of the Lord came down,
And gave them all a scrub.



Right I'll stop now.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

The Chicago variant on jingle bells is the same as one I recall here in the south.
The shepherds washing socks variant sounds vaguely familiar.

[Pendragon]

The one I remember started with "Jingle bells, shotgun shells" I can't remember the rest of it unfortunately.

Three days left for this contest!
It went:

Jingle bells, shotgun shells
Santa Claus is dead
Some one took a thirty-eight
And shot him in the head

Around here, anyway!

Merry Christmas or holiday of your choice!

Pen

[YesNo]

I think that's the one I heard. I sort of remember the second line now.

Merry Christmas, Pendragon!

[YesNo]

I woke up this morning and saw that Santa made it last night. I also realized the deadline for this contest is today.

AuntShecky: Very funny and unique way to get two songs into one contest. I don't follow politics much, but where ever Snowden is, Merry Christmas.

Pendragon: It's nice to know Santa finally found year-round work. I was beginning to wonder what he did in July.

Gilliatt Gurgle: Like I realize I use 'like' too much myself, but if you like it, you like it.

Thanks to all for all the memories on Jingle Bells. It's hard to pick a winner from this batch, but here it goes!

The winner is Gilliatt Gurgle!

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

OMG!, like I'm ROFE (ecstatic)

Thanks.

For the nest tune let's try "I'm the Boss"
Not sure if Burl wrote it, but here's Burl Ives' recording of the song.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7hNYgoeFWDQ

[YesNo]

When a man finally learns that life has its ups and downs,
Sometimes he's rich, but mostly he plays with clowns,
He needs some assistance to help him get through the day.
There's plenty of help for one willing to pay.

She's my shrink. There's no doubt of it.
She's my shrink. Can't get out of it.
She tells me I'm crazy. I tell her that she is, too.
Don't say I'm happy when I insist on feeling blue.

But if you can't pay, there's something you still might try.
Marry a shrink. She'll be there until you die.
She'll make your life happy, like it or not,
But what do you care? What else have you got?

She's my shrink. There's no doubt of it.
She's my shrink. Can't get out of it.
She tells me I'm crazy. I tell her that she is, too.
Don't say I'm happy when I insist on feeling blue.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Well Yes/No, looks like ole Burl just don't have the draw he used to.
I'll go ahead and declare you the winner and well deserved one at that, even though it was the only entry.
Nice witty entry.

Maybe you can find a tune to draw a little more interest.

[YesNo]

Thanks, Gilliatt Gurgle.

The next tune is "Greensleeves". You can find the music with lyrics here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQiLSdMq6aM This link doesn't have anyone actually singing the lyrics which might help with creating new lyrics.

Here is some information on this old English folk song: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greensleeves

The new lyrics don't have to be a parody. They just have to go with the song.

Deadline: February 14th, Valentine's Day.

[YesNo]

It looks like I will have to extend this a couple weeks. The new deadline is the end of February.

[Pendragon]

What Doesn't Kill Me

What does not kill me makes me strong
So Nietzsche said and if he's not wrong
By now I should be freaking Superman
And I've stood my ground
Faced it like a man

This too is my blighted life
To be torn by sorrow, fear, and strife
This too is my rotted brain
Medications to dull the memory...

What does not kill me makes me strong
Foolish enough to fight when hope is gone
When comes the day that I must die
I shall close my eyes
And I'll touch the sky...

This is my waking dream
To be far more than what I seem
This shall be my dying hope
To touch the depths of entropy...

What does not kill me makes me strong
The courage in life to struggle on
To face each moment as it were my last
Leave a legacy
When I finally pass...

This too I will share with you
That I often walk without a clue
This too you should know
I don't give up all that easy...

Pendragon
(C) 2/23'2014

[YesNo]

It looks like you are the winner by default, Pendragon, however, the poem deserved to win.

I often walk without a clue as well. I enjoyed your poem.

Congratulations!

[Pendragon]

Thanks. Let's try Bad Moon Rising by CCR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YlTUDnsWMo&feature=player_detailpage

[YesNo]

I know the world is getting older.
I know that you'll be on your way.
I know what's bad will grow much bolder.
I know some dreams deserve to stray.

Stay with me tonight.
Time will make things right.
Leave when daybreak brings fresh light.

We wasted too much time together.
We will forget it all too soon.
We made the rain and windy weather.
We made the soft light of the moon.

Stay with me tonight.
Time will make things right.
Leave when daybreak brings fresh light.

Some day the world will forget us.
Some day the future will be here.
Some dreams will come and others let us
Begin with someone kind and near.

Stay with me tonight.
Time will make things right.
Leave when daybreak brings fresh light.

[Pendragon]

Anyone else? This one should be not all that hard! End of month, then I pull the plug...

:(

[Pendragon]

Congrats, Yesno!

And farewell. I stayed here for the poetry competitions which have now grown to the point of almost nothing. It' been fun. Love y'all.

Goodbye

Pendragon

[YesNo]

Thanks, Pendragon! I hope to hear from you again. Best wishes.

I'll post another song tomorrow.

[YesNo]

The song for the next competition is "I'm a Little Teapot": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b14OeT1gNFo

This was originally written by George Harold Sanders and Clarence Z. Kelley in 1939: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I'm_a_Little_Teapot

Deadline: May 1.

[YesNo]

Bump! You still have time to enter this contest!

[Pendragon]

Withdrawn

[YesNo]

Yes, we need at least two entries.

If "I'm a Little Teapot" is too easy, others may also try "Moon River".

[Pendragon]

Want to restart this or just let it die? Your choice, folks.

[YesNo]

You're welcome to restart this, Pendragon. I'll write something for the song you choose.

[Pendragon]

OK, how's this: The tune is Beth by Kiss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHkojuUSDO8

[YesNo]

The stars are bright this evening
But they seem lonely, too.
So far away from anywhere
With nothing much to do.

I used to leave you lonely
And thought you would be fine.
While I was playing through the night
You washed me out with wine.

You left me Sunday morning
So many years ago.
A friend of yours came by,
Some guy I didn't know.

I used to leave you lonely
And thought you would be fine.
While I was playing through the night
You washed me out with wine.

I watch the stars this evening.
They're out there very far.
They tell me you have gone away,
But can't say where you are.

[Pendragon]

Since no one else entered on what I felt was a fairly easy rhyme, YesNo takes it by default.Light a fire under the other poets YesNo!

[YesNo]

Thanks, Pendragon! I use these contests as excuses to write something, so win or lose, I feel all of us win.

The next song is Light My Fire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deB_u-to-IE

Deadline: Sunday, July 13th.

[tailor STATELY]

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p219/bomrox/2222.png (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/bomrox/media/2222.png.html)
.................................................. ................................

[Pendragon]

Interrogation of a Suspected Arsonist

Nobody really knows who
To say I do would make me a liar—
But yes, I suspect it was you—
Girl, did you set that house on fire?

Come on tell me did you set it on fire?
Did you exult as the flames burned higher?
Come on tell me—did you set it on fire?

I know that you thought you got screwed
And your rage built to flash point and higher
But I really need you to tell me the truth—
Did you set that house on fire?

Come on tell me did you set it on fire?
Did you exult as the flames burned higher?
Come on tell me—did you set it on fire?

Revenge is a dish best served cold it’s true
So did you ice over with ire?
Did you think this was the best way to choose—
Come on Baby, did you set that house on fire?

Come on tell me did you set it on fire?
Did you exult as the flames burned higher?
Come on tell me—did you set it on fire?

You know, somehow I’ll figure out the truth
Your lies could be your funeral pyre—
It’ll ease your mind to tell me the truth—
Baby, did you set that house on fire?

Did you set that house on fire?
Did you set that house on fire?
Was murder your desire?
Did you set that house on fire?
My patience is about to expire—
Did you set that house on fire?
Did you set that house on fire?
Did—you—set—that—house—on—fire?
DID YOU SET IT ON FIRE?

Pendragon
©July 21, 2014

[YesNo]

It looks like this one is overdue and it is going to be hard to judge.

tailor STATELY: I agree. This one might make him roll over.

Pendragon: It sounds like she set it on fire.

When trying to say the words to the melody, I think tailor STATELY's version worked better with the music. Both were nice.

So, the winner is tailor STATELY.

[Pendragon]

Congrats, Tailor!

[tailor STATELY]

Thank you YesNo and Pendragon !

Next Write It to the Tune of ... Poetry Contest song: Nothing Else Matters
.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothing_Else_Matters

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[YesNo]

I found a harp duet cover for this song by Camille and Kennerly that I like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvI5oy25QO4

Now to think up some lyrics.

[YesNo]

The lotus closes up at night
Awaiting dawn with a better light.
Nothing’s better until it’s bright
And that’s what we’re here for.

When you told me that time goodbye,
I wondered when and I wondered why
Some must stay while some others fly
If that’s what we’re here for.

In the night there is time to dream
When reality will not seem
Like a light that forgot to beam.
Is that what we’re here for?

I never said that you should go.
I always thought there’d be a way.
Don’t you know?

The lotus closes up at night
Awaiting dawn with a better light.
Nothing’s better until it’s bright
And that’s what we’re here for.

[Pendragon]

Living life and going fast
How quickly all the moments pass
A freeway between life and death
Isn't that what we're here for?

Chasing every single dream
Charging down the road full steam
Nothing is quite what it seems
But that's what we're here for!

Sometimes friends hang around
Sometimes up and sometimes down
Silence is a dreadful sound
God, is that what we're here for?

No one ever said life was easy
A walk in the park
Sorrow just makes me queasy

Living life and going fast
How quickly all the moments pass
A freeway between life and death
Isn't that what we're here for?

Pendragon
(C) Tuesday, August 12, 2014

[tailor STATELY]

2-entries... any other takers ? Deadline 8/19/2014

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[tailor STATELY]

Enjoyed both interpretations.

My favorite lines from YesNo:
"The lotus closes up at night
Awaiting dawn with a better light."

My favorite lines from Pendragon:
"Charging down the road full steam
Nothing is quite what it seems"

The deciding factor for my decision comes with the differences in the structure of S4................... the winner: YesNo... Congratulations !

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[Pendragon]

Congrats, YesNo, and thanks Tailor for kind comments!

[YesNo]

Thanks you, tailor STATELY and Pendragon.

The next song will be "Greensleeves".

Deadline: September 15th.

[ZacheirII]

Is this thread submission still open, Please?
Thanks,
(Z)

[ZacheirII]

Here is what I could scribe

...when the Westerner arrived
the seas brewed in filter
the tillage bore fecund to barren
the mills on the mend to heed windy
the Civil had wound affable 'round our Preferred
Valleys descend in tolls they Hades
When Heaven descend...

...the Hanker after fauna began
lechery bestowed gracefully
Maidens merit in effleurage
saturated (their) sanity with opulence
only in time would greed revere, tactile sense detest
Lust marooned median in the Boulevard
and into Hell (they) descend

Babylon's den our beach became
Myriad umpteen must a villain accrue
that He might plunder his own proportion
diurnal demise cast up before Kinfolks start to drown
Nineteenth hole swallow (our) existence
to a descent where Nothing Else Matters

(Z)

[YesNo]

Yes, ZacheirII, the contest has just begun. Thank you for your entry and welcome!

[YesNo]

This contest is still open. I will give it one more week until the end of September.

[Hawkman]

Sometimes I actually miss the Sixties. In the Sixties there was a counter culture that voiced protest. It felt like every song on the radio was protest song. Look at the world today... It's not as if there's nothing to protest about, but where are the protest songs? Rap just doesn't cut it. It's a minority single-issue genre. Take a look at the world guys. Take a look at what's going on, what's being done every day. Say something!

There’s too much happenin’ here
The reasons aren’t exactly clear
There’s a guy with a saw over there
He’s cutting heads off while I stare

I think it’s time we stop, children, what’s that sound?
Those’re bombs exploding on the ground

There’s battles fought in the east
A teddy bear’s becoming a beast
Some people annexin’ land
It’s really much too much, it’s out of hand

Time they stop. Hey, what’s that sound?
Only an airbus; shoot it down

Somebody’s fighting for hate
(Hmm, hmm, hmm)
Don’t want to live in a caliphate
(Hmm. Hmm, hmm)
Chant slogans for a positive war
(Hmm, hmm, hmm)
We’re indoctrinated to the core
(Hmm, hmm, hmm)

It’s time we stop. Hey, what’s that sound?
Everybody look! Boots on the ground!

So what if there ain’t no jobs?
Stop the dole, there’s still dosh for the knobs
Keep the proles in a state of fear
Can’t pay the rent? Then you’re out on your ear

We better stop. Hey what’s that sound?
Ain’t a protest song that’s going down

We better stop. Hey, what’s that sound?
Those’re bombs exploding on the ground

We better stop. Hey what’s that sound?
Only an airbus; shoot it down

We better stop, children, what’s that sound?
Everybody look! Boots on the ground

[YesNo]

Thank you for both for the entries! I just realized this contest should be over by now, so here's the verdict:

ZacheirII: I enjoyed the "descent" idea at the end of the three stanzas.

Hawkman: I don't want to live under a caliphate either unless it provides civil liberties. I remember that song as well.

Well, neither of these sounded like they could fit into the melody of Greensleeves, which is OK. Now to choose:

The winner is Hawkman! Congratulations!

[Hawkman]

Greensleeves? Ooops!:blush: I think I may have posted this in the wrong thread! Didn't Auntie have a similar one a while back? No matter, at least you got to judge, Y/N :D Well done for playing Zacheir II. :thumbsup:

OK. So let's stick with protest songs. I want everyone to get worked up and complain. Protest, guys! You can choose your own protest song from the 60s but you must identify it with a link to a youTube clip so we can tell which one it's supposed to be :D You gotta protest about something rotten in the modern world, so make it a relevant update of an old favourite. The winner will be required to sing it, so make sure you get the phrasing right :ihih: You've got until midnight GMT on 30th October.

Looking forward to reading your entries...

LLAP - H

PS you get extra brownie points if it's funny...

[Pendragon]

How many ways can a dollar be taxed, it's now worth about thirty cents?
How many years can a person be vexed, before they go postal and lose all their sense?
And how many lies must one swallow in life, before hurling becomes a defense?
Take your money my friend, and throw it to the wind, at least will float in the wind...

How many years must the middle class chaff, under the excess of the one percent?
They spent four million dollars on Fabergé eggs, and Hell I can't even pay my rent!
How long can we put up with these pigs, before the French guillotine makes perfect sense?
Burn them my friend, throw their ashes in the wind, they'll blow away in the end!

How much traffic can bottleneck the road, when I really need to make an event?
Flipping off guys who are cutting the line, and just end up making a mess?
We're backed up for miles and the cop on the shoulder, still is running his speed trap I guess
Take your petrol my friend and burn it in the wind, it makes such dark smoke in the wind

Pendragon
C) October 10, 2014

[Hawkman]

Good man, Pen!

Keep 'em comin' guys!

[AuntShecky]

Keep 'em comin' guys!

and gals?

Songs from the Sixties, aye? Of course, that was way before my time. (Ahem.) Not only that, the Hawkman’s calling for “protest songs.” Uh-oh. WARNING: The following material contains POLITICAL CONTENT. Reader discretion is advised.

Fast forward a couple decades to a New York production of Waiting For Godot. Despite the fact that Beckett’s play was pretty damn funny on its own, the director, Mike Nichols, was nevertheless compelled to update the script with topical material, circa 1988.

One of Nichols's added lines reflected the fact that during the reign of George (Bush) the First, the word “liberal” -- as noun as well as an adjective to describe a person of a leftward political bent -- had become the “supreme insult.” (http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/1988/dec/08/play-it-again-sam/)


Hit the FF button one more time to today. Along with the “ic” commonly dropped from the word “Democratic,” the term “liberal” has acquired such a bad rep that even liberals are reluctant to call themselves that. So why is the word nearly universally verboten? Simply because liberals – then and now – want to be liked.

Hence, this parody based on “Love Me, I’m a Liberal,” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLqKXrlD1TU) the sardonic 1960s protest song by the late, great Phil Ochs.

The L-Word

I protest all kinds of injustice.
I’m at the front of each picket line.
Wanna fling open the doors of our borders,
and feel same-sex weddings are fine.
At the mention of The Poor and The Homeless
that’s when my heart really bleeds–-
but please please please please
don’t say I’m a liberal.

I’m all for women in power
(though Hillary’s too far to the right.)
All I know about guns, cops, and fracking
came from MSNBC last night.
On climate change and voter ID
I think Fox News is all wet –
but please please please please
don’t say I’m a liberal.

Guess you could peg me “Progressive.”
“Moving forward” is my favorite phrase,
which would paint me as slightly pinko
back in John Birch Society days.
Well, I don’t believe in labels
(except on genetically-modified food)--
so please please please please
don’t call me a liberal.


http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/1988/dec/08/play-it-again-sam/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLqKXrlD1TU

[Hawkman]

Keep 'em com in' guys


and gals?

Sorry Auntie, I was merely pandering to that brand of political correctness that prompts thespians who so hate the idea of a feminine gender that they insist on applying masculine nouns to females of the profession! (Take note, Emma Thompson: can it be, that you are so revolted by your sex, you hate the very idea of being female?)

Nice! Thanks for playing, chere tante :D

keep at it litnet, I want more :devil:

[YesNo]

This one is based on Pete Seeger's "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1tqtvxG8O4 Joe Hickerson added parts the the version I am most familiar with according to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_Have_All_the_Flowers_Gone%3F

I'm not sure what my version is protesting except for the rushing part in the middle.



Till Darkness Comes

What delights the angels more
While we’re waiting?
What delights the angels more
When we’re alone?
What delights the angels more?
Darkness enters through the door.
Will we have time enough?
Will we have time enough?

Morning light is fresh and new.
Watch the sunrise.
Morning light is fresh and new.
Tell everyone.
Morning light is fresh and new
Plenty here for me and you.
Will we have time enough?
Will we have time enough?

Noontime rushes everyone.
Catch the rainbow.
Noontime rushes everyone.
Keep moving on.
Noontime rushes everyone
Rushing till we’re sure we’re done.
Will we have time enough?
Will we have time enough?

Evening brings a slower pace.
Watch the children.
Evening brings a slower pace.
They’re fresh and new.
Evening brings a slower pace.
Twilight comes. It’s not a race.
Will we have time enough?
Will we have time enough?

What delights the angels more
While we’re waiting?
What delights the angels more
When we’re alone?
What delights the angels more?
Darkness sparkles through the door.
We will have time enough.
We will have time enough.

[Hawkman]

Only two days left, LitNet... Last call for entries in this fabulous competition! Any more protest songs? Come on, folks. You know you want to :D

[Hawkman]

OK, thank you Pen Auntie and Y/N for playing along. This round has been a really difficult to judge as all the entries have been so good. But judge I must - so here goes:

Pen: an excellent effort, and even though you didn't post me a link, I recognised the song :D You certainly protested! The only thing wrong was that some of the lines didn't quite fit the song. a minor quibble, but I had to come up with some kind of rationale for picking a winner!

Y/N: again, instantly recognisable and very singable. In fact its rather beautiful, but, by your own admission, it wasn't really protesting anything.

Which means the winner is - Auntie: double marks for coming up with a good protest together with a more unfamiliar artist and song which fitted the music to a tee, even if it was considerably shorter than the original :D

Congrats and take it away, Aunt Shecky....

[AuntShecky]

it was considerably shorter than the original :D


and mercifully so!

Next up, how about another kind of protest, a "take this job and shove it" kind of vent, but that's not the song. Take any profession -- please! -- and Write a parody of Jim Croce's immortal "Workin' at the Car Wash Blues." Here's the link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zomwyZEYZNE). It can be any kind of job at all, except "Workin in a Coal Mine," as that's already been done.

Keep the entries comin' until November 30, after which will emerge the next victim. That is, if "Pong 3.0" (this PC) holds up -- as well as yours fooly!






http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zomwyZEYZNE

[Pendragon]

Can't Work Blues

Oh, I just got out of the funny farm, brother
Having all my medication rearranged
I was looking for some job to keep me busy
So I wouldn't have to go back for a change
It's hard to be a misunderstood genius
With bi-polar always hanging over you
So I got steady depression, it never really lessens
Stay at home, can't work blues

Well I got the sort of skills that are high in demand
But they never see past my issues
I can slam out spreadsheets, or work on a lot of programs
But they always make up some excuse--
Couldn't even find a job digging ditches
They're all afraid of folks with a couple screws loose
So I got steady depression, it never really lessens
Stay at home, can't work blues

You know that a man with my skill set
Should be setting in front of a computer all day
But they just don't listen to a man in my condition
Though I could work from home every day--

Well all I can do is work on my computer blog
Picked up a lot of followers there
And authors are after me to review their stories
But pay is an out of question affair

So you can look for me at ravendarkendale.com
And find my reviews over at amazon
But don't expect to find working at any paying job
It's enough to make a good man sob--
So I got steady depression, it never really lessens
Stay at home, can't work blues
Don't expect to find me working at any paying job
This world some times is so cruel
So I got steady depression, it never really lessens
Stay at home, can't work blues
Damn this steady depression, it never really lessens
Stay at home, can't work blues...

Pendragon
11/4/2014

[AuntShecky]

Wow! That's the idea!

Thank you, Pendragon, for leading the parade! A tough act to follow, but let's see if we can get some more disgruntled
underemployed folks to join the fray.

[Hawkman]

Academic Disillusionment Blues

Well I just got out from university
Doin’ time at academic research;
But gainful employment is eluding me
Despite the distinctions on my certs
They just don’t want to employ me, ‘cause to human resources
A brain is somethin’ they can’t use,
So now I got those utterly infuriatin’
Totally demoralizin’
Part-time, minimum-wage blues.

Well, I should be out there, re-educating people,
Or runnin’ the country from a throne
Tellin’ politicians about their mistakes
Then sacking them and sending them home.
Instead I gotta stand behind a counter taking only small change
And abuse from the likes of youse
So now I got those utterly infuriatin’
Totally demoralizin’
Part-time, minimum-wage blues.

You know a man like me with a PhD he should be dinin’ on caviar
A chap with a masters should be getting on faster
Than a gofer wearin’ worn out shoes

Well all I can do is to buy me a gun
You might not believe that it’s true
But the man that you’re facin is highly motivated
And workin’ out ways to kill you.
So baby you can expect to see me With a Browning or an Uzi
on the evenin’ prime-time news,
‘Cause I got those utterly infuriatin’
Totally demoralizin’
Part-time, minimum-wage blues.

[AuntShecky]

I hear you, Hawk.
Now let's see if we can get a few more underappreciated wage slaves to vent their frustrations. Don't be shy -- we won't tell the boss!
Come on, NitLetters, let it out. This round will be open for another ten days or so.

[AuntShecky]

LAST CHANCE
to vent your spleen by participating in our gripe-fest:




Next up, how about another kind of protest, a "take this job and shove it" kind of vent, but that's not the song. Take any profession -- please! -- and Write a parody of Jim Croce's immortal "Workin' at the Car Wash Blues." Here's the link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zomwyZEYZNE). It can be any kind of job at all, except "Workin in a Coal Mine," as that's already been done.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zomwyZEYZNE


If "Pong 3.0" (this ol' PC) holds up, I plan on visiting the NitLet sometime between the middle and end of this week. Any and all entries submitted by the time I log on will allow their authors to be eligible to be chosen as the next victim.

[YesNo]

I couldn't think of anything to protest, but here goes:


Protest Lovin' Blues

My baby needed bailin’
From the county jail
For raisin’ a fuss at da bar.
I didn’t have no cash
But I knew in a flash
She be kickin’ ma poor butt far.
So you have to realize
It comes as no surprise
I’m happy just ta hear da news.

I got dem protest lovin’
Mind over matter shovin’
Wond’rin’ why I got da blues.

She toll me to ma face
If she get out uh dis place
I’m gonna wish I never was born.
She might be right,
But it won’t be tonight.
I can wait a week or two for her scorn.
I know she unnerstan’
She can ask her other man,
Cuz, baby, dere’s others to use.

I got dem protest lovin’,
Mind over matter shovin’,
Wond’rin’ why I got da blues.

[AuntShecky]

First a quick personal note. I have to stop including references to celebrities, because it's the kiss of death for them. And I've done it more than once. Inadvertently, of course.Back when I posted my entry in the last contest(#107),the great comedian/actor/director Mike Nichols was still wtih us. And now he's not. My apologies and condolences. I'll remember and miss him.

Now to the business at hand:

Well, it must be that our fellow NitLetters are all as happy as lott'ry winners with their jobs -- or that the ominous notice atop the YouTube page about downloading some updated server daunted them. Whatever the case, this round generated only a trio entries. Aw well, this time the level of quality more than made up for lack of quantity.

I wish I could declare all three of you winners. As far as form is concerned, each entry pretty much followed Jim Croce's model, so nobody lost points on that score.


Pendragon, good for you for thinking outside of the (insert your choice of container here) for bemoaning the one thing worse than having a crappy job, which is no job at all! Certainly appropriate for those of us in the bottom 99%, still trying to hang on. I liked all of your lyrics, especially the opening lines.

Hawkman showed the rest of us semi-literates the dubious world of Academe. Ivory towers, ivy-covered buildings, my um, donkey! Sharp satiric observations and lines like this one:


You know a man like me with a PhD he should be dinin’ on caviar
But then it turns violent, suggesting a little of the age-old Town/Gown mayhem. Still funny, though.

Yes/No, thanks very much for contributing, and that goes double for the fact that you didn't have much notice or time. Despite the fact that the lousy job connection wasn't too evident in your lyrics, it still had a good beat and you could dance to it (or I could, if I were still able-bodied and had a sense of rhythm.) This is enjoyable. You can never go wrong with the blues.

It was hard to pick a winner. If I had a three-sided coin, I'd flip it. On the other hand, I don't even have a two-sided coin. Or folding $ for that matter! So closing my eyes and pointing I made a selection.

So, take it away ----- Pendragon!

[Pendragon]

Thanks, Auntie.

The next song is "If I Could Save Time In a Bottle" by Jim Croce: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyTfbtZeGeU

[YesNo]

Do days make me rush for the evening,
Routines keep me faithful and true?
Would I going out after rushing about
Give my hand opened outward to you?

When we watch our dreams slowing changing
Pretending that some might renew
All the hope that they’ve cost, even though we have lost,
I would still long to dream them with you.

I watched you smile when dreams were made
And watched you as you let each fade
To another.
No matter what we’re waiting for
It’s always less when we want more
Than each other.

Do dreams lead me far from remembering
The moments that we’re passing through?
I stop and recall that we did have it all
And be glad that I had them with you.

I watched you smile when dreams were made
And watched you as you let each fade
To another.
No matter what we’re waiting for
It’s always less when we want more
Than each other.

[Pendragon]

Well, YesNo, mon ami, I am truly sorry for the utter lack of competition here. I've tried to keep these contests fun and on track through the years, but sooner or later you ask yourself what's the use? I'm gone. I am on Facebook, Dale Harris from Atkins, VA. Look me up if you'd like!

Farewell

Pendragon

[YesNo]

Best wishes, Pendragon.

[Pompey Bum]

Just a suggestion, but how about we drop the requirement that everyone has to write thr poem/song parody to the same tune? That might get more takers.

[YesNo]

That sounds like a good idea.

[Pompey Bum]

That sounds like a good idea.

Well, let's not jump to conclusions :)

I am the very model of a classical grammarian;
I conjugate in languages Hellenic and barbarian;
I'm steeped in Euclid's beauty bare and Caesar's endless narratives;
I urge on in subjunctives and I order in imperatives!

He urges in subjenctives and he orders in...etc.

I am very well aquatinted, too, with Livy and Thucydides;
I'd banish all translations if I knew how to get rid o' these;
Of passive periphrastic I am teaming with a lot o' news;
With many cheerful facts about the roots of hippopotomooz!

With many cheerful facts...etc.

I know nothing of Cervantes' wit or Rabelais' urbanity;
I'm at a loss when friends discuss Raskolnikov's insanity;
Robert Browning, William Wordsworth, Matthew Arnold, and their ilk I hate;
I always thought that Trollope was a girl you wouldn't want to date!

He always thought that...etc.

When I discover what it is that Zen seeks to annihilate,
When I know more of Foucault than a freshman from Ohio State,
In short when I've a smatt'ring of modernity and all of it
You'll say, "Numquam pedagogus melior has ever gee sedit!"

You'll say, "Numquam pedagogus...etc.

For my literary knowledge, though I'm plucky and adventury,
Begins to peter out about the 12th or 13th century;
But still in things linguistical, arcane, and antiquarian
I am the very model of a classical grammarian!

But still in things linguistical, arcane, and antiquarian...etc., etc., ad nauseum

[YesNo]

I enjoyed it, especially the many lines ending in "etc" and then the final "ad nauseum". I also liked the impossible dream of knowing more about Foucault than a freshman from Ohio State.

[Melanie]

…so, are we just picking random tunes to write to and post randomly? is this still going to be a poetry contest with someonejudging/someonewinning? I'm fine either way, especially since I'm not actively participating of late…but just curious and the clarification might help others. I hope to be more active in the near future when I have more time…hopefully april.

Meanwhile, i must tell you both, mr.no and mr. bum, your entries were both superb. Mr. bum, was that to the tune of an irish pub tune? Fun. Carry on. I'm following and enjoying.

[YesNo]

I think that is what we are doing. I don't know if anyone is judging it, but perhaps there doesn't need to be a judge.

[Melanie]

I like that idea yesno…no judge and to go with any tune of one's choice. The freedom should generate more participation. All good.

[Hawkman]

Mr. bum, was that to the tune of an irish pub tune? Fun. Carry on. I'm following and enjoying.

It's Gilbert and Sullivan, Menalie, "I am the very model of a modern major-general..." from The Pirates of Penzance.

[Pompey Bum]

…so, are we just picking random tunes to write to and post randomly? is this still going to be a poetry contest with someonejudging/someonewinning? I'm fine either way, especially since I'm not actively participating of late…but just curious and the clarification might help others. I hope to be more active in the near future when I have more time…hopefully april.

Well, the decline into anarchy didn't actually produce a lot more participation. I don't care one way or another. Anyone want to organize a competition?


Meanwhile, i must tell you both, mr.no and mr. bum, your entries were both superb. Mr. bum, was that to the tune of an irish pub tune? Fun. Carry on. I'm following and enjoying.

You are too kind, Melanie. But no, the tune is only tangentially Irish in that it written by the Anglo-Irish composer Arthur Sullivan. And as Hawkman has anticipated, my verses follow lyrics by the great English lyricist, W.S. Gilbert. There is actually a minor cottage industry for poems that imitate this song--usually about one's own occupation. They're a hard (but fun) to write because Gilbert was such a master at cramming an insane number of syllables into a happy and smoothly running tune (which of course Irish pub songs do as well). I actually wrote this version several years ago (when my Greek and Latin were less rusty).

Here's Gilbert's version. He was mocking the new breed of gentleman officer, whose liberal education sometimes outshone his preparedness for military command.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wYZM__VdEjk

[Melanie]

Oh yes, I remember seeing one a few years ago from a mother's perspective to the tune of the William Tell Overture, but yours is brilliant.
I found a link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE6EkAvV4-Y