I’ve moved out for a fortnight while the builders do their stuff, and got a little mixed up with my schedule. I should have done an extra Hobby post last week then put out my Personal blog today. Ah, well. As I was typing the following update on Facebook, it occurred to me I could perhaps do something to combine the personal with the creative.
Finished an edit, sorted out a few last-minute chores in town, now back to do some transcribing/tweaking. Busy times. Had a couple of lovely e-mails re: jobs, and there are some good things coming down the pipeline. Might have to write about some of this in the blog for next week. Reasons to be cheerful 1, 2, 3…
I decided to look up the lyrics to the classic song by Ian Dury and the Blockheads, and rewrite them as a kind of news bulletin.
Here’s a video of the original, in case you’re not familiar with it. Hell, you might just want to sing along.
I’ve mimicked the rhyme scheme in general rather than specific terms, and tried to capture some of Dury’s delicious silliness. However, where he seems to toss in nuggets of positivity in a higgledy-piggledy fashion, I wanted to give it a little more structure. As much as this is an act of creativity, it’s also become an act of mindfulness. As such, the first section covers things that I have (or do) that make me cheerful; the second section takes in things for which I am grateful; the third looks forward to the near and more distant future, in hope.
Here’s my version of the lyrics:
Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3.
(Why don’t you get back into bed?
Why don’t you get back into bed?
Why don’t you get back into bed?…)
Reasons to be cheerful, part three
Reasons to be cheerful – 1, 2, 3
Summer-Rose and Clover, Peter-puss moreover,
All the leaves turned over and books.
Gorgeous woody trails, those misty vales,
You gotta love Wales and cosy nooks.
Editing a chiller, parents in Llanilar,
Freddie sings a killer while Summer cooks.
Playing darts with Stevie, listening to CDs,
Smash ’n’ Grab TV, plotting hooks.
I’m polishing their diction, I’m flashing out the fiction,
We’re getting a new kitchen (so gizza job).
Irons in the fire, if business gets too dire
My arse is up for hire to earn a bob.
Click-clacking the meeples in company of people,
A silhouetted steeple, snacks in my gob.
Whisky and podcasts, I’m soaking in a hot bath,
Yn chwarae o gwmpas with Clover-clogs.
Reasons to be cheerful, part three
Reasons to be cheerful, part three
Reasons to be cheerful, part three
Reasons to be grateful, one, two, three
Reasons to be grateful, part three
Stuffing the polemic, heeding academics,
Dodging the pandemic.
Political fumbles, economic stumbles—
Tories gonna crumble.
Bantering with Mother, one-upping my big brother,
Here for one another.
Syndicates of Geekdom, families of freedom,
Lord knows how we need ’em.
Bringing up our daughter’s been a pleasure (like it ought ta),
Pity the poor fool who think’s they’ve caught her.
Kid’s a little toughie, doing well with studies,
Plenty of good buddies.
Wearing my bifocals, treated like a local,
Vibing on the socials.
Being motivated, clients say I’m rated,
Feel appreciated.
Reasons to be cheerful, part three
Reasons to be grateful, part three
Reasons to be hopeful, part three
Reasons to be hopeful, one, two, three
Yes, yes, dear, dear
Perhaps next year
Or maybe even now…
In which case:
Reunited family, wedding anniversary,
The old gang back together from uni.
Fractured friendships mending, RPG weekending,
Big Tribute is pending.
Looking at some new goals, trying out some new roles,
Putting up my tentpoles.
Workload starts a-flowing, Fine-toothed Comb a-growing,
Finally stop owing.
Reasons to be cheerful, part three
Reasons to be grateful, part three
Reasons to be hopeful, part three
Reasons to be cheerful, one, two, three
I don’t mind
I don’t mind, don’t mind, don’t mind, don’t mind…
I did consider recording an audio version, but you haven’t done anything nearly wicked enough for that kind of punishment…
Yes, it’s all a bit of frippery and took far more time than I expected. I have to say though, it did give me a certain satisfaction to put the pieces together, and the mindfulness aspect was surprisingly powerful. I’m flying right now.
Should you fancy replicating the exercise – thinking about and sharing the good things in your life – you can do so in the comments section. I’d love to read it.
Here are Dury’s original lyrics for reference:
Reasons to be cheerful, 1, 2, 3
Why don’t you get back into bed?
Why don’t you get back into bed?
Why don’t you get back into bed?Reasons to be cheerful, part three
1, 2, 3Summer, Buddy Holly, the working folly
Good golly, Miss Molly and boatsHammersmith Palais, the Bolshoi Ballet
Jump back in the alley and nanny goatsEighteen wheeler Scammells, Dominica camels
All other mammals plus equal votesSeeing Piccadilly, Fanny Smith and Willie
Being rather silly and porridge oatsA bit of grin and bear it, a bit of come and share it
You’re welcome we can spare it, yellow socksToo short to be haughty, too nutty to be naughty
Going on forty no electric shocksThe juice of a carrot, the smile of a parrot
A little drop of claret, anything that rocksElvis and Scotty, the days when I ain’t spotty
Sitting on a potty, curing smallpoxReasons to be cheerful, part three
Reasons to be cheerful, part three
Reasons to be cheerful, part three
Reasons to be cheerful, one, two, threeReasons to be cheerful, part three
Health service glasses, gigolos and brasses
Round or skinny bottomsTake your mum to Paris, lighting up a chalice
Wee Willie HarrisBantu Steven Biko, listening to Rico
Harpo Groucho ChicoCheddar cheese and pickle, a Vincent motorsickle
Slap and tickleWoody Allen, Dali, Domitrie and Pascale
Balla, balla, balla and VolareSomething nice to study, phoning up a buddy
Being in my nuddySaying okey-dokey, sing-a-long a Smokie
Coming out of chokieJohn Coltrane’s soprano, Adie Celentano
Beuno ColinoReasons to be cheerful, part three
Reasons to be cheerful, part three
Reasons to be cheerful, part three
Reasons to be cheerful, one, two, threeYes, yes, dear, dear
Perhaps next year
Or maybe even now
In which caseWoody Allan, Dali, Domitrie and Pascale
Balla, balla, balla and VolareSomething nice to study, phoning up a buddy
Being in my nuddySaying okey-dokey, sing-a-long a Smokie
Coming out a chokieJohn Coltrane’s soprano, Adie Celentano
Beuno ColinoReasons to be cheerful, part three
Reasons to be cheerful, part three
Reasons to be cheerful, part three
Reasons to be cheerful, one, two, threeI don’t mind
I don’t mind, don’t mind, don’t mind, don’t mind
Further reading:
You can read my proper flash fiction, if you’ve a mind to.
More interested in mental health stuff?
Guff. You just want to read my Editing Testimonials, right?