It's possible that I have too much time on my hands but this song popped into my head the other day, inspired by a vintage painting of Charon the Ferryman, hauling his latest passengers across the River Styx. It should fit right in with the warped Celtic set. Here's a link to lyrics, chords and a MP3 sample: http://www.charlieipcar.com/lyrics/charon.htm

And here are the lyrics for those who can't wait to go to my website:

By Charlie Ipcar, © 8/24/14
Tune: verse after "Summer Ghosts" by Tanglefoot; chorus traditional Irish

The Rhyme of Charon* the Ferryman


C-----------G7------------F-----C
As I went down to the River Styx,
---------------G--------C
I found my-self in a helluva fix;
F------------C--------------G--C
There was Charon with his barge,
---------------G-------C
And I'd for-got my VISA card.

Chorus:

C---------Am
With my tour-rhy-ai,
C
Faddle-riddle-day,
-------------G----C
Tour-rhy, tour-rhy, tour-rhy -ai!


"No VISA card!" old Charon said,
And sadly he just shook his head;
"How 'bout two obols, the ancient fare?"
All I could do was stand and stare. (CHO)

I offered him a subway token,
From my last trip to Hoboken;
His frown turned to a smiling face,
"I've got a condo at Maxwell Place." (CHO)

He took my token, said, "Step on board,
And while you're at it grab an oar;
The river is wide and the tide is flowin',
And I'm damn sick of doin' the rowin'."(CHO)

So I grabbed those oars, and dug right in,
My first payment for my sins;
And when we reached that farthest shore,
My poor old hands was blistered sore. (CHO)

So the moral of this fateful tale
Is when you die do not fail
To bring your gloves, for rowing's hard,
And don't forget your VISA card!

With your tour-rhy-ai,
Faddle-riddle-day,
Tour-rhy, tour-rhy, tour-rhy -ai! (2X)

Charon was the ferryman of the dead; he carried departed spirits across the River Styx, a haunted waterway which reputedly separated the world of the living and the world of the dead. This song is proudly sponsored by VISA Card.

* Pronounced "Care-on"

Cheerily,
Charlie Ipcar