Vanity (Danny Boy, Traditional)

My dad asked me to write this to go along with a sermon he was giving on Ecclesiastes.  I think that book's quite a downer, but I tossed in a bit of Paul to perk things up a bit...


Vanity

We must accept the sorrows of humanity
And understand its joys will all be brief.
The years will turn our labors into vanity,
For only God is fit to conquer grief.

And so we toil, but all success is hollow.
Why even try to struggle and to learn?
Though we may triumph, emptiness will follow
As sure as green gives way to gold as seasons turn.

The earth remains though many generations
Have swiftly fled like rivers to the sea.
The sun will set on cities and on nations
Until they fully fade from memory.

Throughout our lives, in tragic times or merry,
We set our sights on matters far above,
For what we do is only temporary.
Yes, all is vanity but faith and hope and love.

The Ranger (Angel, Sarah McLachlan)

I've had Lord of the Rings on my mind lately, so here's a song addressing Frodo Baggins on the subject of the mysterious Strider around the time that he first meets him, to the tune of Sarah McLachlan's Angel.  This one goes out to my good buddy Crissy!

The Ranger

Spent half the night waiting for a hint or glance
Of the guy they call Gandalf the Grey. 
Just count on a wizard!  When the going gets tough,
Then those sorcerous sorts stay away.
You’re itching for action and, driven by caprice,
Warble a lively refrain.
But then you vanish, and a mystery man asks
To aid you in your plight.

You’re alarmed by the Ranger
Who has met you here,
For he’s dark, hardly well-groomed
And insulting you with his sneer.
But he knows of your mission
And the violence that you flee.
You won’t be harmed by the Ranger;
You will find he is sincere.

So unsure of Strider, but very soon you’ll learn
To trust that he’s watching your back.
This gold does not glitter.  While he wanders, he’s wise
To the ways of the riders in black.
You‘re such an innocent, you’ve got to have a guide,
So stick with him when you leave.
Though he’s a stranger, he will shield you from danger
And foil your enemies.

You’re alarmed by the Ranger
Who has met you here,
For he’s dark, hardly well-groomed
And insulting you with his sneer.
But he knows of your mission
And the violence that you flee.
You won’t be harmed by the Ranger;
You will find he is sincere.

Don't be alarmed by the Ranger;
You will find he is sincere.

Uncle Owen (Oklahoma!, Richard Rodgers / Oscar Hammerstein)

Here's a little ditty from Luke Skywalker's perspective on the day before he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, to the tune of the title song from Oklahoma!

Uncle Owen
I’m almost an adult.  I’ve earned the right to whine.
Seems all I do is sit around and wait.
Just a little latitude would suit me fine;
He confines me to a place I hate.
Place I hate.  Hope it’s not too late.

Gotta show the fellas I’m no shrinking violet.
Gotta get my license, be a fighter pilot.
Gonna leave this planet with its dreary gloom.
Lookin’ for space and freedom to zoom!
Gonna hang onto this new hope.
How can I ditch this cranky old dope?

Uncle Owen
Is a podunk and provincial pain.
I’ll go clean the droids,
But I’m annoyed
‘Cause I’ve got converters on the brain.

Uncle Owen!
He’s a grumpy, domineering guy,
And it’s hardly grand
To work his land
When my heart is set upon the sky.

Tatooine is nothing but bland,
Just a rock full of womp rats and sand.

So when I claim,
“Blech!  I hate this farming game,”
I’m also saying,
“You cramp my style, Uncle Owen.
Uncle Owen, you’re lame!”

Uncle Owen!
Can’t believe he ever was a teen.  (Uncle Owen!)
Now he always bores
And doles out chores
‘Cause he’s dull and dusty, and he’s mean!

Uncle Owen
Only thinks of mouths he has to feed,
And unlike Aunt Beru,
He has no clue
That adventure’s what I really need.

This isn’t the life I have planned.
Oh, no!  Any day now, I’m taking a stand.
Gotta fly, gotta fly, gotta fly,
Gotta fly, gotta fly, gotta fly...

So when I claim,
“Blech!  I hate this farming game,”
I’m also saying,
“You cramp my style, Uncle Owen.
Uncle Owen, you are lame!”

Uncle Owen, Uncle Owen, Uncle Owen, Uncle Owen...

Tatooine is nothing but bland,
Just a rock full of womp rats and sand.

And when I claim,
“Blech!  I hate this farming game,”
I’m also saying,
“You cramp my style, Uncle Owen.
Uncle Owen,
You’re lame!  I’m ticked, and you’re to blame!”
Uncle Owen!
Blech!

Pesky Ramona (Lady Madonna, John Lennon / Paul McCartney)

One of my favorite characters growing up was Ramona Quimby, the free-spirited girl who is the subject of several Beverly Cleary books.  Now that she's about to hit the big screen, here's a song about Ramona, based on Ramona the Brave, to the tune of the Beatles' Lady Madonna.

Pesky Ramona

Pesky Ramona, making Susan howl.
What did she expect when she aped your owl?
Crushing her creature...  It was only fair.
Stupid stuffy Sue and her boingy hair!

Thought you’d like a room apart from Beezus.
Figured independence would be fun.
Now when night arrives, your blood just freezes.
Bring on the sun!

Pesky Ramona, whiskers on your Qs.
Teacher says to skip ‘em but you refuse.

Six is no fun!
Pesky Ramona, swearing in your rage.
“Guts!” sounds simply ghoulish to a girl your age.

Fighting off the mongrel who’s attacking.
You will lose a shoe before you’re done.
Never mind the footwear that you’re lacking;
Run, ‘Mona, run!

Pesky Ramona, who’d’ve ever guessed
Life could be so tough for a pint-sized pest?