Come Swish Around My Pretty Punk

Confessions of a Geek or Science Fiction Twin or whatever the hell I’m calling this thing these days is going on hiatus for a few days. I’m going to try to actually enjoy myself vicariously through the physical efforts of elite athletes. Either that, or I’ll consume enormous amounts of beer and chili. If you hear reports of birds falling dead out of the sky in Ohio, you’ll know the latter occurred.

I’m hoping this will act as a much needed relaxation trip for me. I’m starting to feel down, for reasons as yet unknown. There are a lot of things going on for the O’Briens. Most of them are ultimately good, but I feel it is my moral responsibility to shoulder all the anxiety for the family. So I fret and worry over everything.

If I were to write and autobiography at this moment, it would be entitled “Tales of Woe and Stomach Acid.” I don’t think it will be a big seller.

So, today I leave you with the lyrics of a song and a poem (I couldn’t pick one) whilst I recharge my batteries and hopefully return chipper, happy and lacking bitterness and worry. Of course, if I did that, I’d have to return as a different person.

The poem is by WB Yeats and is in honor of all you pseudo-Irish who will be soiling the good names of all of us real Irish on St. Patrick’s day by puking and pissing yourselves in public (odd, if you add an “e” to public it becomes “pub lice”, a condition you should avoid on Monday). The song seems to fit my mood. No deeper meaning. The lyrics are by Parsons and Turner set to a gorgeous melody written by none other than Charlie Chaplin.

A Drunken Man's Praise of Sobriety
W.B. Yeats

Come swish around, my pretty punk,
And keep me dancing still
That I may stay a sober man
Although I drink my fill.
Sobriety is a jewel
That I do much adore;
And therefore keep me dancing
Though drunkards lie and snore.
O mind your feet, O mind your feet,
Keep dancing like a wave,
And under every dancer
A dead man in his grave.
No ups and downs, my Pretty,
A mermaid, not a punk;
A drunkard is a dead man,
And all dead men are drunk.


Smile

Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky,
You'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile, and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through, if you...

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear maybe ever so near
That is when you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.

Discuss