It’s time for a round of Name that Tune! What familiar song, translated into Shakespearean English, begins “Oh, proud left foot that ventures quick within, then soon upon a backward journey lithe”? There’s much more to these overwrought lyrics, which come from Jeff Brechlin’s winning entry in a 2003 contest sponsored by The Washington Post. The newspaper asked readers to submit familiar instructions in the style of a famous writer. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Backward Journey Lithe”
We talked recently about the childhood game of taking the lyrics to familiar songs and making them much more complicated so that three blind mice becomes a trio of visually impaired rodents.
You remember that, Grant?
Yes.
Well, Harlan Messinger, who lives in Arlington, Virginia, sent us a doozy.
Now, this is a familiar song with lyrics changed to Shakespearean English.
So see if you can guess what this is.
Oh, goodness.
Okay.
A proud left foot that ventures quick within.
Then soon upon a backward journey life.
Anon once more the gesture then begin.
Command a sinistral pedestal to writhe.
You’re laughing.
I get it.
I know what it is.
And also your performance is outstanding.
Thank you.
There’s more.
Commence thou then the fervid hokey poke,
A mad gyration, hips in wanton swirl,
To spin a wild release from heaven’s yoke.
Blessed dervish, surely canst go, girl.
The hoke, the poke, banish now thy doubt.
Verily I say, tis what it’s all about.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I am bowing.
I should point out that credit for that poem goes to Jeff Brecklin of Potomac Falls,
Who won some contest in the Washington Post a few years ago.
That rendering of the hokey pokey in Shakespeare.
Brilliant.
I love it.
The hokey pokey.
I knew what it was, but they didn’t take away any of the fun.
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