OldGreyEagle 5 Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 Yes, a most happy and wonderful Bastille Day to you all. Today is Bastille Day remembering when the peasants of France rose up against the imperial absolutist monarchy that gave "let them eat cake" from their Queen. The peasants were plain folk who were out to just "stick it to the man" or Le Homme, as it was France. The power of the people is often overlooked. Always thought this was a powerful statement: What gives you the right hey you To stand there and tell me what to do Tell me who gave you the power To stop me from livin' like I do Remember if you plan to stay Those who give can take away Don't bite the hand that feeds you Just one time I'd like to be somewhere where None of your clever lies fill the air I'm tired of your frozen smile and your voice of tin Just might all gang up on you Turn the knob and do you in Remember if you plan to stay Those who give can take away. Don't bite the hand that feeds you This never ending power play "Tween Jealous greed and vicious hate Is grinding us like giant millstones But it can't be our only fate It's time we got our heads together And let'em know that we're awake Those in the dark, you know they're no longer blind They're breakin' from your strangle hold on their minds Those that can see don't need no one to cross the street Be careful who you're pushin' round They just might find you obsolete Remember if you plan to stay Those who give can take away. Don't bite the hand that feeds you Link to post Share on other sites
Vicki 11 Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 OGE, I never fully understood the French Revolution until a few weeks ago when I visited Versailles. Standing there in the cobblestone plaza, looking slightly uphill from the bottom of the approach, blinded by the gold glinting from everywhere and the sheer size of the place, my first thought was, "this couldn't stand." The profligate use of resources combined with the blatant disregard for and oppression of the folks who supported the whole thing was obscene. I had just never appreciated the magnitude of it in a visceral way before that moment. "Don't bite the hand that feeds you" indeed. Vicki viva Smith and Friedman!(This message has been edited by Vicki) Link to post Share on other sites
WAKWIB 107 Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 A song from one of my favorite rock bands, RUSH, expresses those times eloquently: BASTILLE DAY There's no bread, let them eat cake There's no end to what they'll take Flaunt the fruits of noble birth Wash the salt into the earth But they're marching to Bastille Day La guillotine will claim her bloody prize Free the dungeons of the innocent The king will kneel, and let his kingdom rise Bloodstained velvet, dirty lace Naked fear on every face See them bow their heads to die As we would bow as they rode by And we're marching to Bastille Day La guillotine will claim her bloody prize Sing, o choirs of cacophony The king has kneeled, to let his kingdom rise. Lessons taught but never learned All around us anger burns Guide the future by the past Long ago the mould was cast For they marched up to Bastille Day La guillotine claimed her bloody prize Hear the echoes of the centuries Power isn't all that money buys Link to post Share on other sites
evmori 11 Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 What! No pie! Link to post Share on other sites
OldGreyEagle 5 Posted July 14, 2010 Author Share Posted July 14, 2010 Ah, but John Kay's poetry has stood the test of time Link to post Share on other sites
packsaddle 753 Posted July 15, 2010 Share Posted July 15, 2010 A lamb her thirst was slaking, Once, at a mountain rill. A hungry wolf was taking His hunt for sheep to kill, When, spying on the streamlet's brink This sheep of tender age, He howl'd in tones of rage, 'How dare you roil my drink? Your impudence I shall chastise!' 'Let not your majesty,' the lamb replies, 'Decide in haste or passion! For sure 'tis difficult to think In what respect or fashion My drinking here could roil your drink, Since on the stream your majesty now faces I'm lower down, full twenty paces.' 'You roil it,' said the wolf; 'and, more, I know You cursed and slander'd me a year ago.' 'O no! how could I such a thing have done! A lamb that has not seen a year, A suckling of its mother dear?' 'Your brother then.' 'But brother I have none.' 'Well, well, what's all the same, 'Twas some one of your name. Sheep, men, and dogs of every nation, Are wont to stab my reputation, As I have truly heard.' Without another word, He made his vengeance good-- Bore off the lambkin to the wood, And there, without a jury, Judged, slew, and ate her in his fury. La Fontaine Link to post Share on other sites
Twocubdad 665 Posted July 15, 2010 Share Posted July 15, 2010 I really do appreciate the fact you're sitting here. Your voice sounds so wonderful, but you're face don't look too clear. So barmaid bring a pitcher, another round or two. And honey -- WHAT? Is there some rule this has to be high-brow poetry? Link to post Share on other sites
SSScout 1616 Posted July 15, 2010 Share Posted July 15, 2010 Ye sons of France, awake to glory, Hark, hark! what myriads bid you rise! Your children, wives and white-haired grandsires. Behold their tears and hear their cries! (repeat) Shall hateful tyrants, mischiefs breeding, With hireling hosts, a ruffian band, Affright and desolate the land, While peace and liberty lie bleeding? To arms, to arms, ye brave! The avenging sword unsheath, March on, march on! All hearts resolv'd On victory or death! Whoa...Sounds better in the French. "You played it for her, and you can play it for me" Link to post Share on other sites
acco40 95 Posted July 15, 2010 Share Posted July 15, 2010 la Nation, la Loi, le Roi! Link to post Share on other sites
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