Jump to content
Poetry Magnum Opus

Waiting for Barnacle Bill


dedalus

Recommended Posts

Here on the crest of this pleasant hill

where larks and bluebirds sing their fill,

I sit on this bench all tense and still,

and wait for a chap called Barnacle Bill.

 

I doubt that was his name at birth,

not a mother’s choice when he sprang to earth,

but a name flat-chosen, of little worth,

applied amid grins and drunken mirth.

 

BOOM BOOM BOOM.

Naturally.

O hear the words I sing:

war is a very horrible thing,

tingalingaling. Mother.

(Baldrick, “Blackadder”)

 

I was just going to walk across

this barrier. A mere step or two,

but then came a shot close-by, ,

a warning, no-one trying to hit you.

 

I remember how I sold my old boss

a shaky MG Harrier. This much is true,

and after we shared a shot of rye, we

waved and said good bye, good bye. I would not shit you

 

much, and such is the clear (if edited) story

with nothing near, nor even close to glory,

yet I shudder on the bench in the evening chill,

waiting for a thug called Barnacle Bill.

icon_profile.gificon_search.gificon_pm.gificon_www.gificon_aim.gif post_bottom.gif

 

Drown your sorrows in drink, by all means, but the real sorrows can swim

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I really like putting this across stanzas:

 

.....I would not shit you

 

much

 

Brilliant.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The profane nature of the old song works well as metaphor for human nature. I recall fondly the old Fleischer Popeye cartoon that introduced the villain Bluto..."Who's that knocking on my door?" sang Olive Oyl... "It's Barnacle Bill the sailor," he growled, lustily. :biggrin: Also your subtle "goodbye, goodbye" tickled up other memories of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore singing the old WW1 song. B.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Guidelines.