The world is sure tough, But I still ain’t complaining – The race may be rough, But I’m def’nit’ly gaining. I’ve sunshine enough To endure when it’s raining – My voice may be gruff, But my cadence ain’t straining – I ain’t got no worries ’bout paying my dues – I got them ain’t-got-me-no-blues.
You won’t find me drunk, Sending curses to Hades, Whenever the Angel of Mercy is shirking. You won’t find me sunk When I flunk with the ladies – There’s still conversation When flirting ain’t working. Just cos I ain’t singing, It don’t mean I’m crying – I’m nowhere near dying – I guess I’ll keep swinging. And just cos I’m swinging, It don’t mean I’m jerking, It just means I’m all outta blues.
The world is unfair, But you won’t catch me moaning – We all have to bear The occasional stoning. I should give a prayer, But I keep on postponing – If God is out there, Well, I don’t think he’s phoning. I don’t need no hand-out from angel or muse – I got them ain’t-got-me-no-blues.
You won’t find me knelt Sending beggings to Heavens, Whenever this living is given a stuffing – The hand I was dealt Is all deuces and sevens – Well hey, that’s two pair I got there, That ain’t nothing ! Just cos I ain’t winning, It don’t mean I’m losing – If life’s still amusing, I guess I’ll keep grinning. And just cos I’m grinning, It don’t mean I’m bluffing, It just means I’m all outta blues.
Nothing can wash my sins away But water, And nothing can scrub my soul Except the steam. Nothing can slough my skin away In shorter, And nothing can soak me whole And all agleam.
Sooner or later, we all sing a song to the rain, And those who have sung them before can all sing them again. Later or sooner, we all pray a prayer to the skies, And those who have prayed them before can all lead the replies.
On the second morning afterly The Feast of Middle-Winter, I walked-out with my true-love Through the brittle lambent-glinter – I walked-out with my true-love Till our cheeks were flush with pinking, And I asked my wind-teased beauty To me whisper of her thinking. The said she thought of Crystal Jack, A diligent delinquent, Who caught the sun and shone it back As glistered-golden clinquant. I walked-out with my true-love ’Cross the sparkled, gelid loam, And so we warmed each other’s breaths Until the starlings bid us home.
The People’s Trees are greenest green – They’re marching forth since Halloween. On chilly days and snowy nights, They proudly bear their fairy lights.
So raise your verdant branches high, And hoist your red star to the sky – Though humbugs scoff and scrooges sneer, We’ll keep the green tree growing here.
When Christmas time is ruinous, With profiteers pursuing us, Their simple charm bring us delight, And help us through the silent night.
So raise our battered spirits high, And help us keep our powder dry. Let bankers curse and workers cheer – We’ll keep the green tree glowing here.
Oh Tannenbaum, oh Tannenbaum, For needlekind we’re pining. Oh Tannenbaum, oh Tannenbaum, We’ll keep the green tree shining.
Magpie, magpie, all upon your lonely, Have you an omen or an auspice to portend ? Tell me, oh magpie, perched all one and only, What do you impart, my fortune-casting friend ?
Magpies, magpies, twosome in my setting, Have you an omen or an auspice to bestow ? Tell me, oh magpies, the pair of you abetting, What do you impart – am I set for joy or woe ?
Magpies, magpies, thrice upon my vision, Have you an omen or an auspice to enprime ? Tell me, oh magpie, a trio on your mission, What do you impart for my future-coming time ?
Magpies, magpies, four of you here gathered, Have you an omen or an auspice for my mood ? I tell you, oh magpies, I think your signs are blathered, You’ve nothing to impart – you’re too busy finding food.
Rhyming Couplets 