An Ode to Boorish Critics Everywhere
\nAneleda Falconbridge, November 2008<\/p>\n
It was a heated and a rufty day
\nthough the sky above was clear.
\nFrom beneath a bonny shady tent
\nfair music wafted dear.
\nIt drifted on the gentle breeze
\nlike honey to the ear,
\nbut honey draws the wasps out
\nand one quickly buzz-ed near.<\/p>\n
“Your strings are not correct
\nThat box is not hand-hewn.
\nThere are no museum samples –
\nI saw all of them last June.
\nIf you want to play around here
\nyou had better get it right
\nfor I’m the so-and-so-and-so
\nwhose mouth is never tight.”<\/p>\n
The Lady was a fighter,
\nbut to this she did demur.
\nThe incident she did recall:
\n’twas but a little burr.
\nShe mentioned it in passing
\nand it caus-ed quite a stir –
\nNow everybody join the ode
\nto the rude and boorish cur!<\/p>\n
“That song is not correct
\nyou play a modern tune.
\nA piece played in your century
\nwould not be so festooned.
\nIf you want to play around here
\nyou had better get it right
\nfor I’m the so-and-so-and-so
\nwhose mouth is never tight.”<\/p>\n
Raise a glass ye singy ones
\nto critics near and far!
\nA smile to those with merit.
\nA shrug to those who spar.
\nTouch off your cacophony
\nwith sackbutt and guitar
\nand entertain the many,
\nfrom the vintner to the czar.<\/p>\n
Siiiiiiinnnngggg…
\n“My song is not correct!
\nMy repertoire I’ll prune!
\nThere are no museum samples?
\nSir, this news has made me swoon!
\nOh, I’d like to make an ode m’lord
\nplease confirm while you’re in sight<\/p>\n
That you’re the so-and-so-and-so…<\/p>\n
That you’re the so-and-so-and-so…<\/p>\n
‘Cause I’m a bardic so-and-so-and-so
\nwhose mouth is never tight!!!”<\/p>\n