Lay for the Day 14th September

1773: according to Boswell, Dr Johnson remarked on this day, “I have, all my life long, [lain in bed till noon], yet I tell all young men, and tell them with great sincerity, that nobody who does not rise early will ever do any good.”

In Britain in 1752, 14th September was the day after 2nd September. This loss of eleven days, necessitated by the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, aroused some resentment. People felt they had been robbed of time.

Dante died on this day in 1321, and could therefore ascertain the accuracy of his descriptions of the eternal regions.

Track of the Pieces [Hear it here]

It’s been a short life so far
But the gypsy said I’d go far
Therefore I expect I will.
If you keep on pushin’
Your rear into that cushion
And your fingers in the till
You’ll find the fastest way to nowhere,
But I warn you if you go there,
The journey is all downhill.

I beat my heart
Trying to do what pleases,
I broke my heart
So many ways,
I couldn’t keep track of the pieces.

Cadama labria beneste,
Wookum see skaddle par foop-foop,
Wookum see skaddle par foo,
Cadama labria.

Thank you, blackbird,
I wish that I could sing back word
For word the song I heard from you.
But now I’m in the middle,
Burning up on Nero’s fiddle
While the deep blue sea departs from view.
Thanks for one more sunrise
Shining right in my eyes
And for the credit of the morning dew.
Just to see that sun rise
Makes you want to do likewise.
Would you like a wise course to pursue?
Cause of if you just keep right on tootin’
You’ll end up madder than Rasputin.
Can you feel the revolution brew?

Cadama labria beneste,
Wookum see skaddle par foop-foop,
Wookum see skaddle par foo,
Cadama labria.

Time will tell, no need to worry,
Time will tell, just watch it hurry,
You know time will tell us first.
If it rains we’ll have to let it,
If it rains you can forget it,
If it rains we’ll be over the worst.
Is there someone out there who mixes
All their sevens with their sixes?
If there is, you must be awfully brave.
I hope I live to till I get healthy
Cause I feel the footstep stealthy
Of a rabbit running over my grave.
You probably thought you were a house-guest
But a chain’s as good as arrest
And I’d love to see you try and leave this cave.

I beat my heart
Trying to do what pleases,
I broke my heart
So many ways,
I couldn’t keep track of the pieces.

Cadama labria beneste,
Wookum see skaddle par foop-foop,
Wookum see skaddle par foo,
Cadama labria.

 

Words and music by The Children

 

The Lay Reader: an archive of the poetic calendar