uncommon ephemera

A Mother's Day Tribute

A very Happy Mother's Day to all! Although this is a special day that we dedicate to all mothers, I for one celebrate my mother every day in thought and in the many things she taught me. I did not have a recent picture of her in my photo files, so I have posted her high school photo. This particular photo was given to her dear (albeit "screwy") sister from the inscription!

My mother has always been a very creative lady who seemingly could make something out of nothing. She sews beautifully, refinishes furniture and loves to garden. The creative sense she has passed on to both me and my sister - we were dragged along to every "junk" store in our home town back in the days that shabby was not chic. At the time, we hated it - but came to realize that in many cases "one man's trash was another man's treasure". Mom has rebuilt, refurbished and repainted more things over the years than I can count. I helped her throw a drop front desk into the bed of dad's pick-up years ago that had no drawers and about 90 coats of paint. She had my grandfather (a most clever fellow) make new drawers after she had stripped off all of the paint. Today, that little desk is in her dining room with a tassel adorned key in it's lock - no one would ever guess at it's humble beginnings. I could go on at length about her talents and also her mothering skills in sometimes difficult times - but for now, I'll just say that I love her dearly. Happy Mother's Day, Margie Mae!

Aye...'tis Swashbucklin' Time!

Welcome Swashbucklers and and Swashbucklerettes...aye and I thought I wouldn't be able to pull this one off (too little time)! Thanks to that saucy one, Donna of the Ribboned Crown for putting this soiree together!

May I present to you for your edification, that saucy tavern wench, Jenny - of the "Threepenny Opera" by Bertholt Brecht

Lyrics: Bertolt Brecht/Marc Blitzstein
Melody: Kurt Weill

Verse One:
You people can watch while I'm scrubbing these floors
And I'm scrubbin' the floors while you're gawking
Maybe once ya tip me and it makes ya feel swell
In this crummy Southern town, in this crummy old hotel
But you'll never guess to who you're talkin'.
No. You couldn't ever guess to who you're talkin'.
Then one night there's a scream in the night
And you'll wonder who could that have been
And you see me kinda grinnin' while I'm scrubbin'
And you say, "What's she got to grin?"
I'll tell you.

There's a ship, the black freighter
with a skull on its masthead
will be coming in.

(And just what might those keys about her neck be used for?)

Verse Two:
You gentlemen can say, "Hey gal, finish them floors!
Get upstairs! What's wrong with you! Earn your keep here!
You toss me your tips
and look out to the ships
But I'm counting your heads
as I'm making the beds
Cuz there's nobody gonna sleep here, honey
Nobody! Nobody!
Then one night there's a scream in the night
And you say, "Who's that kicking up a row?"
And ya see me kinda starin' out the winda
And you say, "What's she got to stare at now?"
I'll tell ya.

There's a ship, the black freighter
turns around in the harbor
shootin' guns from her bow

Verse 3:
Now you gentlemen can wipe that smile off your face
'Cause every building in town is a flat one
This whole frickin' place will be down to the ground
Only this cheap hotel standing up safe and sound
And you yell, "Why do they spare that one?"
Yes, that's what you say.
"Why do they spare that one?"
All the night through, through the noise and to-do
You wonder who is that person that lives up there?
And you see me stepping out in the morning
Looking nice with a ribbon in my hair.

And the ship, the black freighter
runs a flag up its masthead
and a cheer rings the air

Verse 4:
By noontime the dock is a-swarmin' with men
comin' out from the ghostly freighter
They move in the shadows where no one can see
And they're chainin' up people and they're bringin' em to me
askin' me, "Kill them NOW, or LATER?"
Askin' ME! "Kill them now, or later?"
Noon by the clock
and so still by the dock
You can hear a foghorn miles away
And in that quiet of death
I'll say, "Right now.
Right now!"
Then they'll pile up the bodies
And I'll say,
"That'll learn ya!"

And the ship, the black freighter
disappears out to sea
And on it is me.

The keys? Why they are for her pirate's chest full of sparkly booty!

The song, "Pirate Jenny", I heard for the first time on an Judy Collins album in the 60's. I didn't know much about Bertholt Brecht until later. I have not mastered the art of inserting audio files as yet, but here is a link to YouTube, where you can listen to cabaret singer, Anne Kerry Ford, sing "Pirate Jenny". The song is quite haunting - more than the "saucy wench" I used for my pirate. The doll is an old Klumpe that I found at an antique store years ago. She was "au naturel" and I set about making her a costume. Her sly expression said "tavern wench" and so the costume reflects that persona. Aaaarggh, ladies...don't forget to go to check out the many guests for the "Swashbuckler Soiree" at The Ribboned Crown - and many thanks to the always creative Donna for providing the venue!