The Kern is "Til the Clouds Roll By," lyrics by PG Wodehouse, I
think, from the show of the same name. The chorus duet is one of
Kern's loveliest salutes to youth. Ah, youth.
Verse 1
[she]
I'm so sad to think that I had to
Drive you from your home so coolly.
[he]
I'd be gaining nothing by remaining,
What would Missus Grundy say?
Her conventions, kindly recollect them!
We must please respect them duly.
[she]
My intrusion needs explaining;
I felt my courage waning.
Please, I beg don't mention it!
I should not mind a bit,
But it has started raining.
Refrain:
[both]
Oh, the rain comes a pitter, patter,
And I'd like to be safe in bed.
Skies are weeping, while the world is sleeping,
Trouble heaping on our head.
It is vain to remain and chatter,
And to wait for a clearer sky,
Helter skelter, I must fly for shelter
Till the clouds roll by.
Verse 2
[she]
What bad luck, It's coming down in buckets;
Have you an umbrella handy?
[he]
I've a warm coat, waterproof, a storm coat,
I shall be alright, I know.
Later on, too, I will ward the grippe off,
With a little nip of brandy.
[she]
Or a glass of toddy draining,
You'd find that more sustaining.
Don't be worried, I entreat,
I've rubbers for my feet,
So I don't mind it raining.
At 07:12 PM 5/16/2007, you wrote:
>Hey, Mark, I've got an idea (no applause, please). How about starting
>with lines from Kern (Jerome, I'm thinking) and then leap into the
>poem at (single line): A shame / thought, to close the windows / and
>lose the sweet breeze.' Next verse I';d change the order a tad: ' For
>the moment / I have joined / the complex aerodynamics / of leaves'
>
>I like it the way it is, mind you, but the jokey tone of the beginning
>just seems expendable to me (a closet minimalist).
>
>Androo
>
>On 17/05/07, Mark Weiss <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>This here aint no
>>pitter patter storm
>>Mr. Kern, upon us suddenly
>>from the south,
>>the sky become
>>a large green threat. A shame,
>>though, to close the windows,
>>and lose the sweet breeze.
>>
>>I have joined
>>for the moment
>>the complex aerodynamics
>>of leaves.
>
>
>--
>Andrew
>http://hispirits.blogspot.com/
>http://www.inblogs.net/hispirits
>http://www.flickr.com/photos/aburke/
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