funny bagpipe poem
Kirk McMichael
Believing that my son the retired piper would enjoy the turtle-bagpipe
poem posted here a week or so ago, I forwarded it to him. His response
(below) suggested that I (and the original poster) had generously and
unknowingly trespassed upon Shel Silverstein's copyright. To make sure,
I looked it up, and sure enough, the poem is right there on page 132.
I wonder how often we post or forward copyrighted material without
knowing it. I know it's been an issue we've debated with tunes, but now
it looks like we have to be careful with poems too.
I apologize for having been part of the problem.
--
Kirk McMichael k...@wsu.edu
PM, The Border Highlanders Office (509) 335-3363
1215 NW State St FAX (509) 335-8867
Pullman, WA 99163-3344 USA Home (509) 332-2224
Bob McMichael wrote:
>
> Hi Pa,
>
> Drawing on my vast knowledge of modern literature, I believe
> that the poem about the turtle and the bagpipe is from
> "Where the sidewalk ends," by Shel Silverstein. This book
> also contains such literary gems as "Rudy Felch knew how to belch".
>
> Bob McMichael
> rmcmi...@nist.gov
B. Mitchell
At 09:33 AM 6/03/97 -0800, Kirk McMichael wrote:
>I wonder how often we post or forward copyrighted material without
>knowing it. I know it's been an issue we've debated with tunes, but now
>it looks like we have to be careful with poems too.
>
>I apologize for having been part of the problem.
>Kirk McMichael k...@wsu.edu
>Bob McMichael wrote:
>> "Where the sidewalk ends," by Shel Silverstein. This book..... etc....
Shel Silverstein has probably had better advertising for his book now than
he thought possible.
I don't believe copyright originated as a means to restrict people from
exchanging knowledge, ideas and anecdotes, it evolved to prevent COMMERCIAL
and competitive exploitation by someone (or an organisation) of another's
works. If you commit something to print, individuals will read it and use it
occasionally. Surely that's why you write and publish it in the first place.
Shel may (or should) be flattered that someone thought the poem worth repeating.
Too many people measure everything in terms of money, which is what a
publishers copyright has come to infer these days. God gave us a mind and
creativity to share and exchange for free. If we had been designed to
receive copyright income we might have had a slot in the top of our heads
for the coins, and a notice on our foreheads. "Insert coin for brain to work
and creativity to start".
Here is another piece of literature but from centuries ago. It was
translated into modern English and published in a book so the translator
needs some recognition but I can't remember who he was, but then the
original writer who I think was unknown deserves some recognition too.
Anyway it is really a riddle...
"This world is adorned in diverse ways,
decorated with rare ornaments.
I saw a strange thing singing in a house;
nothing on earth looked in the least
like this creature, her shape was so odd.
Her beak was pointed upwards, her feet
and talons were those of a bird,
yet she cannot fly nor even move much,
though eager to start she sets to work
with her singular skills; often and again
she goes the rounds of gatherings of men,
she sits at the feast and awaits her turn -
it comes soon - to prove her prowess
in the halls of thanes. But there this creature
never partakes of what makes men merry.
Daring, eager for fame, she stays dumb;
and yet in her foot she has a fine voice,
the glorious gift of song. It is so
strange that this creature makes sense only
with her dangling foot, richly decorated.
When she holds her hoard, proud of her rings
yet naked, she bears her brothers on her neck -
a mighty kinswoman. Even a canny poet
will be hard put to name this creature."
Of course the aim of the riddle is to determine what "she" might be.
Next time.
Bryan