BS: tattered coat upon a stick

Subject: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 01:31 AM

I can now say I am going to be 80 next month.

An aged man is but a paltry thing,
A tattered coat upon a stick, unless
Soul clap its hands and sing, and louder sing
For every tatter in its mortal dress
~William Butler Yeats: Sailing to Byzantium~

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 01:54 AM

They say that after 50 it's just patch, patch, patch. That thought kind of expands on the tattered coat, eh? (although I did think the subject was going to be a scarecrow in a field or garden.)

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 03:44 AM

I thought of Worzel Gummidge when I read the title, but then looking in the mirror this morning.......
Thought I was 'up' on Yeats but hadn't noticed that bit before. Thanks MtheGM.And the patching rings true Ebbie as the appointments start get added to the calendar.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 05:39 AM

In my case, it'd be tattered coat upon a barrage balloon!

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 06:06 AM

"perne in a gyre", eh? One of those phrases (and poems) we analysed endlessly in 6th form English Lit around - ah, um - 1960 or so...

I always liked the poem. Well, Michael, you have just over 12 years on me. When I get to 70, I shall go down to Brighton beach and recite:

I grow old ... I grow old ...
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.        

Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?        
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.        
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.

I do not think that they will sing to me.

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 06:35 AM

Well if the bible has it aright, you are on bonus time X10 Michael
I reach my alloted span this October, after which I too will be on overtime.
Have a great birthday when it comes.

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 07:21 AM

Or is it bonus time + 10?

Many thanks, John. You too, come October...

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: GUEST,Bluesman
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 08:13 AM

I wish you health and happiness Michael and a lot more than another ten.

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 10:33 AM

At last the secret of MGM's singing style its to do with the tatters in his mortal dress

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYqTKASLK9k&lr=1

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 10:39 AM

Many thanks, Bluesman. Best of health to you too, young man!

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: GUEST,Teribus
Date: 02 Apr 12 - 09:06 AM

Many happy returns of the day when it comes Michael.

On tattered coats on sticks, if anyone is around in Nottingham on the 6th of April take a look what will be flying from the Flag Staff of the Castle.

If they hold with tradition you will see not a flag but an Officers Scarlet Tunic (45th Regiment of Foot - Now the Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters Regiment). It normally marks the anniversary of the storming of the Spanish Fortress city of Badajoz by Wellington's troops in 1812, so this year is the 200th Anniversary. The first British troops to get into the fortress were men from Picton's 3rd Division who escaladed the Castle walls, a Lieutenant from the 45th ran to the tower and hauled down the French Flag and substituted it with his own tunic to let those making the attacks against the main breaches in the walls and elsewhere that British troops were inside the fortress.

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: meself
Date: 02 Apr 12 - 10:18 AM

I thought Sharpe's Rifles were the first in!

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Apr 12 - 02:45 PM

Cool anecdote, Teribus! Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 02 Apr 12 - 03:34 PM

Once out of nature I shall never take

My bodily form from any natural thing,

But such a form as Grecian goldsmiths make

Of hammered gold and gold enamelling

To keep a drowsy Emperor awake;

Or set upon a golden bough to sing

To lords and ladies of Byzantium

Of what is past, or passing, or to come.

Beautiful lines of verse, indeed

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Apr 12 - 02:09 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 11 May 12 - 11:04 AM

... and now it's tomorrow, as ever was:

...Pray do not mock me.
I am a very foolish fond old man,
Four score and upward, not an hour more nor less...

King Lear IV vi

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 May 12 - 12:06 PM

happy birthday! from a mere youngster who finally got a Senior's Card earlier this year

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: GUEST,999
Date: 11 May 12 - 12:23 PM

Happy Birthday, Michael.

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: GUEST
Date: 11 May 12 - 12:59 PM

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: GUEST,dixk greenhaus
Date: 11 May 12 - 01:00 PM

GOOD BOY

I have led a good life, full of peace and quiet
I shall have an old age, full of rum and riot.
I have been a good boy, wed to work and study
I shall be an old man, ribald coarse and bloody.

I have never slit throats, even when I yearned to.
Never sang dirty songs that my fancy turned to.
I have been a nice boy, and done what was expected
I shall die and old bum, loved but unrespected.

Collected from Lemuel F. Parton
Recorded by Carl Sandburg
@moral @aging
filename[ GOODBOY
RG

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: GUEST,999
Date: 11 May 12 - 01:41 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyEBd8PwAcY

I HAVE LED A GOOD LIFE (STUPID'S SONG)
(Utah Phillips)

I have led a good life full of peace and quiet
Now I shall have an old age full of rum and riot
Yes, I have been a good lad, careful and artistic
Now I shall have an old age coarse and anarchistic

Once I paid my taxes and followed every rule
Banker, boss and bureaucrat thought me a willing tool
I voted Democratic and paid the Church its due
Now all those swine will have to find some other chump to screw

Of interest, banks and credit, insurance, tax and rent
Of lawyers, agents, generals and clerics I repent
With this [mono digital expletive] for corporations and scorn for those elected
I shall be an old bum, loved but unrespected

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: fat B****rd
Date: 11 May 12 - 04:11 PM

A very happy birthday to you, Michael.

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: Joe_F
Date: 11 May 12 - 08:43 PM

Carl Sandburg's version:

I have led a good life, full of peace and quiet.
I shall have an old age full of rum and riot.
I have been a good boy, wed to peace and study.
I shall have an old age ribald, coarse, and bloody.

I have never cut throats, tho I often yearned to,
Never sung the dirty songs that my fancy turned to.
I have been a nice boy, and done what was expected.
I shall be an old bum, loved but unrespected.

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 11 May 12 - 09:51 PM

Happy birthday, Michael!

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 12 May 12 - 12:00 AM

Our time 0500 on 12 May

Away for the weekend; so before we go -

Very many thanks for all these good wishes.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: BS: tattered coat upon a stick
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 12 May 12 - 07:17 AM

Happy birthday!