Don’t start that talking
I could talk all night
My mind was sleep walking
Call careers information
Have you got yourself an occupation?
I had written a post, instigated by reviewing my links list from the bottom up, and clicking on Revolution in the Head. that pointed out Costello’s I Want You< , so I listened to it.
Good song btw.
I was distracted, started listening to a bunch of Costello, then decided to play with the lyrics to Oliver’s Army. I am sure many people have done the same over the last twenty something years.
Not being a poet or a lyricist it’s probably not a wise thing to do, but it served my purpose.
The United States Army is here to stay
The United States Army are on their way
And I would rather be anywhere else
than here
today
I thought just as well it might have offended some people, and I don’t want to do that. I already receive hate mail about past entries and that was only due to Africa and abstinence; it might just be better to keep all opinions to myself.
I then started a write about Bob Dylan. (Provoked by a brief aim with someone regarding Mr Tambourine Man.)
There was a Checkpoint Charlie
He didn’t crack a smile
but it’s no laughing party
When you’ve been on the murder mile
All it takes is one itchy trigger
One more widow
One less white nigger
After starting the post on Bob Dylan I realized that no matter how significant Bob Dylan might have been as a poet/ songwriter, peace activist, communist, drunk, doper, pop culture icon, and no matter how much I love some of his lyrics, it doesn’t really matter.
What matters is that my generation needs to become more aware of the war of false pretenses in Iraq. We need to get out a plan.
I am not a writer or a political columnist, there are plenty of them around though, and some are even worth reading; bear with me here.
The United States Army is here to stay
The United States Army are on their way
And I would rather be anywhere else
Than
here
today
Let us insist on leaving plan, a plan, and a plan. We know they can’t leave immediately, but some of our people are going to end up living a good part of their lives there, they will die there.
They are not the sons and daughters of the powers that be, they are the sons and daughters of the powerless.
Pakistan is up for grabs
Beirut is full of Arabs
We could be in Afghanistan
Overrun by the Taliban
With our boys Sines and Keith
deriding Dixie Chicks and Penn
Let us not allow the perfect Animal House Cheerleader and his Pep Squad, (thanks Wombat), to keep us totally blind in this. Let us insist on getting out a plan, a plan, and a plan.
But there’s no danger
It’s a professional career
Though it could be arranged
With just a word in Mr Bush’s ear
If you’re out of luck,
you’re out of crack
We’d be glad to send you to Iraq
The United States Army is here to stay
The United States Army are on their way
And I would rather be anywhere else
than
here
today
And I would rather be anywhere else �..
than
here
today
And I would rather be anywhere else
than
here
today
Just a Plan.
Mostly intact original lyrics by Elvis Costello, slight massacre by Alice in Wonderland or Not.
I was not familiar with “Oliver’s Army” and I like what you did with it. It’s weird that your post disappeared.
We need to get out of Iraq. The people there, of course, will have to battle the rest of the way to whatever but at least we won’t hinder them. We should turn over the money that has been promised to Halliburton (they have failed to rebuild and repair Iraq) to Iraqi engineers and builders to get the job done.
I am familiar with Olivers Armny but am surprised you are, at your age I mean.
Nicely done.
I agree and it was put simply enough not to turn me off with all the political gobbly gook.
I love Elvis Costello, and now I think I love you, too.
Well done.
Chick, you got it going on!
Thank you for visiting my site and thank you for the kind words.
Dissent is only worthwhile when people listen to it. If no one’s listening, nothing is going to change. It seems now people are starting to listen.
Your blog is one of my favorites. I’m going to link to you on my blog section. Oh yeah, Dylan rocks!
She does have it going on.
I downloaded that song btw.
I see the bouncing ball over the
words as I hum along.
Where do you come up with this stuff? It is rather inventive.
I’ve admit to have never listened to Costello, except Alison; I am going to investigate him now.
Nice way to make a point.
Keep it up.
Great post except I read all the way through it thinking you were referring to Lou Costello. Kept waiting for the slapstick. It’s kind of fun that way, kind of right on as you intended it.
So I’m just “someone?” I see how it is.
That being said, for someone who claims not to be a poet you’ve done exceedingly well
Great song + great take on it — do like this site.
Doug (and Alice): So “who’s on first” with a plan? Ah. That’s where the slapstick will really begin.
Maybe I am being arrogant but fifty percent of the people that read this aren’t going to get it.
It will be “Duh”.
This is great.
I’m glad I know you.
Kitchen Women: thanks for stopping by.
Joe: glad it didn’t turn you off too much. Naw. I really don’t care if the posts turn people off or not I tend to just write whatever I feel like writing.
Brad: I love Elvis Costello thanks to my father who slowly replaced all his vinyl with CD’s probably when I was six or seven. Costello was one of the first.
MJ: I forgive you the chick thing because I like your blog and your thoughts and because Dylan does rock. Maybe not so hard anymore .…
Jake: What are you doing here?
Doug: Lou Costello??? LOL Showing your age.
Wombat: I didn’t want to embarass you.
Ruksak: Thanks, I like your writing
Weirsdo: now I am out of my element.
John: yes you are being arrogant.
Hahahahaha.….thanks Alice. It won’t happen again
Checkpoint Charlie’s a museum now, but I went through it when it was the real deal. Yes, they’d fucking shoot you for crossing over the East German border (the trains out of E. Germany passed over mirrors so they could be sure no one was hiding underneath the cars).
And then, there were the crosses for those who hadn’t made it over the Spree River or across the tank traps and land mines.
But still one of the great rockin’ songs of all time. Thanks, EC.
Hi! It‘s really great page. I‘ll looked here often. I invite to my page.
I’m sorry to say I haven’t visited your site (or many, for that matter) since I have come to NYC b/c I’ve been so busy and my internet has been pretty jacked up…but I was so pleasantly surprised to see the post involving Oliver’s Army! I haven’t heard that song in forever. I like how you used it. I agree with much of what you said, unfortunately.
I’m sorry you miss NYC…when do you get to come back to it? When school starts again?
Off topic: Alice, your comment in my little Postmodernism Gone Wrong site is pretty much spot on. I found that text generator through your excellent post here. I even posted a bit about it on MaximumAwesome.com way back. I figured I’d start the PGW thing as a lark and see if I’d bother to keep it going.
On topic: Another cool post. Some more listening suggestions: Donovan’s “Universal Soldier” and, of course, Dylan’s “Masters of War,” which is a spooky little folk tune. That kinda folk music is not really my speed (Bad Religion and Minor Threat kick much more ass), but those two songs are canon, as far as modern anti-war songs are concerned.
dave
from Maximum Awesome
Doug would think that you were talking about Lou Costello!
Love what you did with the lyrics
Two weeks from tonight he’s going to be performing at Central Park Summer Stage and there will be a free symphony in the park – with fireworks.
having a hard time chosing between the two
MJ: ha ha, I don�t really care. That was one of those automated responses from someone that really missed the whole feminist movement and does not really care to expend energy worrying about what people call her.
Cross: We�ll have to discuss that review.
Give me Pink: Thanks for stopping by.
Kathyrn: Glad You came by and glad your getting settled. I technically don�t come back until school starts. I hope to be in the city soon though, helping a friend look for an apartment. I figure if I have to suffer in a pathetic dorm I can at least choose where my friends will live.
Dave: I�m getting right on those songs. Oh yeah Bad Religion, Minor Threat later Fugazi. I think I still have Ian MacKaye�s email somewhere. I was a little young but he didn�t see to care.
�s
Your right , kick ass.
Pia: with the Imposter’s no less right? I’d take Elvis as he is not getting any younger.
I’m not that d*&d*(&ed old! I happen to be culturally literate! Just ask Michael Korda!
He’s not dead?
Oops.… I forgot to invite him to the party.
It’s always good to find another Costello fan.
He’s brilliant…and a great post to go with it.
Great song! Love Costello (and Dylan!) Good job on this, sincerely.
Peace.….….….……
Dave said…
Off topic: Alice, your comment in my little Postmodernism Gone Wrong site is pretty much spot on. I found that text generator through your excellent post here. I even posted a bit about it on MaximumAwesome.com way back. I figured I’d start the PGW thing as a lark and see if I’d bother to keep it going.
On topic: Another cool post. Some more listening suggestions: Donovan’s “Universal Soldier” and, of course, Dylan’s “Masters of War,” which is a spooky little folk tune. That kinda folk music is not really my speed (Bad Religion and Minor Threat kick much more ass), but those two songs are canon, as far as modern anti-war songs are concerned.
dave
from Maximum Awesome
12:28 PM
I like Masters of War (I may be that old. Isn’t the last line about peeing on their grave or did wishful thinking put that in my head?
You’re right, Doug. The enitre last verse, actually, is a little overkill. Except he doesn’t pee on their grave, he stands over it until “I’m sure that you’re dead.”
dave