A view from the sky tram in Jasper on a family holiday
Eleven years ago, I was taking a creative writing class. The instructor gave us an assignment to take an old song and write new words to it. My purpose in taking the class was to write experiences drawn from my personal history. I decided not to “waste time” completing this particular lesson as it didn’t seem to meet my objective. It wouldn't affect anyone else as it wasn’t my turn to read in class for another few weeks. I was at home working on a story on the computer when I started to laugh. I had the distinct impression that something was about to happen. I was surprised as I found myself singing, “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” with the following lyrics. I typed as fast as I could to keep up with the ideas pouring in. In the end, there was only a small part that I changed. Mission accomplished. OH, WHAT WILL I DO NOW I’M SIXTY? Written at age Sixty-three To the tune of “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” Oh, what will I do now I’m sixty? I’ve big dreams and great plans galore. Some say I am ready for pasture With nothing at all to explore. Chorus: Bring back, bring back, Oh, bring back my youth to me, to me. Bring back, bring back, Oh, bring back my youth to me. I’m almost a senior they tell me. It won’t be long now ‘til I’m dead. Arthritis and Alzheimer’s will get me, At least, if I don’t use my head. Chorus: Bring back, bring back, Oh, bring back my health to me, to me. Bring back, bring back, Oh, bring back my health to me. I trust they have best of intentions. It’s what they were taught to believe. But life on the far side of sixty Is as rich as the dreams we conceive. Chorus: Bring back, bring back, Oh, bring back my vision to me, to me. Bring back, bring back, Oh, bring back my vision to me. I’ll follow the wisdom of Chopra. You’re only as old as one thinks. You may even see me on Oprah, But not as a peer of the sphinx. Chorus: Bring back, bring back, Oh, bring back my wisdom to me, to me. Bring back, bring back, Oh, bring back my wisdom to me. There’s much still to do in my future. There’s much left to learn from my past. And whatever I do with my future, I sure must get doing it fast. Chorus: Bring back, bring back, Oh, bring back my future to me. Bring back, bring back, Oh, bring back my future to me. The next week in my writing class, when all the readers had finished, there were a few minutes left over. I couldn’t resist asking to read. My parody was a hit. After all, they could relate. I was in a Senior’s class.
2 Comments
JDT
11/9/2016 06:31:00 am
Lol!
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Margery
11/9/2016 08:26:17 am
Thanks. It was a fun experience.
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