MY BEAUTIFUL ISLE OF SOMEWHERE

 
Episode 16  Mahatma Ghandi; Thomas Paine; Leo Tolstoy  

 

A banging, then a voice was heard, I'm Gandhi's Great, Great Aunt
I beg you, intercede for youth
because you see, we can't

It's lovely to be spiritual; in heaven it is bliss
but arms and legs and hands and feet
are really what we miss

Our job is so much harder while we're floating and ethereal
The only hope to right the wrongs
is while you are material.

I know you won't believe this and though against the Law
Some children are still married off
at two or three or four

It's not for consummation or for their purity
For girls it is their refuge
and their security

I tell you this to guide you in the path meant for the wise
for all you do will go for naught
unless you organise

according to the Common Law where ALL receive their dues
because ALL are responsible
and ALL put forth their views

Strategy and future plans are vital for you must
stop the downward spiral
that may turn you all to dust

Droughts and floods and cyclones are never acts of God
it's man who is responsible
who gives Mammon the nod.

I'm leaving now but warning you, there always is the chance
of drifting ever backward
on the tide of circumstance

Gertie spoke up quickly We thank you Gandhi's Aunt
You've made it clear, it's up to us
No reason why we can't

organise and share some time to work upon a plan that actively
will bring about
the Brotherhood of Man

Dickie said excitedly, Hey Harry, Tom and Lou
Sue and Gert, it's time for us
to see what we can do.

We've heard enough to know the way....There are no IFS or BUTS
I'm outa here, cried Harry.
Said Gert, You've got no guts

Harry, looking worried, said, I've got a wife and kids
what's the point of rockin' boats....
Hell I can't swim for quids!

The Bill they plan to put in place would brand us all "left wing"
The fact that I'm "conservative"
wouldn't mean a thing.

Read these new amended laws and understand my fear
"Incommunicado" means
they make you disappear

You don't believe me and you think, It could not happen here
`cos Aussies only care about
their football and their beer

That's not true and never was, said Dickie,
though I know, Aussies like their way of life
and Sickies* are the go

But when it comes to Push and Shove an Aussie never buckles
forget your knives, your guns and bombs
He'll fight you with his knuckles

Oh rot, you're living in the past those glory days are over
like the men who went to rest
in Gallipoli and Kokoda

I'm sorry mate, said Dick again, with that I don't agree
Our boys are still the same at heart
it's our society

that's caused us all to lose our grip and end up lookin' tame
It's time for us to realise
The Fivers are to blame

Good on you boys, a voice rang out, my name is Thomas Paine,
It's great to hear your argument,
those Fivers are our bane

Most likely you have no idea of who I am and why
I'm here today with Tolstoi
and others who've come by

to let you know the only way you'll ever change the world
is listen to Mahatma
and keep your flags well furled

I used to think that nationhood and war was a solution
until I saw futility
in France's Revolution

For after all the bloodshed, the guillotine and gore,
the masses were no better off
and all was as before

I've written two small pamphlets that I'd like you all to read
Called "Rights of Man" and "Commonsense"
that hopefully, you'll heed

I hate to tell you Mr. Paine, not strictly entre nous
our library informed us
that they've never heard of you!

We've all suspected for some time that book are obsolete
if they contain a message
that may well turn up the heat

on those who try to rule us or think they'll lose control
if we become enlightened
and cause their heads to roll

Thank you Dick for telling me they've chucked out all my books
It means you must try twice as hard
to overcome those crooks

You're right, Dick said, I have to say it all may come out better
if we use the Common law
not following the letter

that after all are only words which often cause the factions
but Common law and strategy
will lead us all to actions

There is a man in Ireland who has a plan to derail
those silly cockalorums
I'll send him out an Email

In the meantime Mr. Paine, you'd give us all great joy
if you'd introduce us to
Count Nicholas Tolstoi

Just call me Lev, forget the Count said Tolstoi coming through
I heard Mahatma Gandhi speak
and what he said was true

Non-violence is the only way for warring takes its toll
I wrote how soldiers suffer in
Tales of Sebastopol

I can't believe that at this time, two thousand years and two,
warmongers and world leaders
will push their point of view

that war is still the only way to settle a dispute
yet mass retaliation
can make a nation mute

those nations who are over-run find ways they can resist
the over-lording nations
who breed the terrorist

In "Resurrection" I revealed that men with much insight
were driving mankind into dark
instead of to the Light

A childish game of secrets they think sets THEM apart
a case of "I know more than you"
they do not give a fart

as long as they've a desk and pen to sit and write their orders
conscripting youth and sending them
to fight along their borders

Now, I agree with Gandhi, you all must learn to sit
at YOUR own desk with YOUR own pen
and let THEM know you've quit

from fighting wars you did not start
and that you've no intention
of holding up a firearm or standing to attention

and finally, what ET said about the Five Percenters
Your percent is ninety five
Hooray for the Dissenters

Lev's right, cried Dick, I see it all, we're guilty of stupidity 
But Five's are so obsessed with power
they're guilty of cupidity

Good on yer Dick, good on yer love, said Tom and Sue together
We'll fight those Fives through thick and thin,
through rough and stormy weather

Gert and I, excitedly cried out, "We'll fight them all"
But Harry rushed to save ET
as he began to fall

What's wrong with you ET? I said, you're looking strangely pale
You stupid fools, the ET said,
You'll all end up in jail

How many times we've told you that fighting's not the go
I don't think you've been listening
there isn't any foe

Mahatma said that all you need is non co-operation and
Lev has said "Use desk and pen"
to call for war's cessation 

and what is more it's time to take your heads out of the sand
to read and learn from books they wrote
while living on this land

They find it so frustrating that what you need to know
has been around forever
and written years ago

Bucky said to "live like ants" and Milerum "to share"
and Loving without owning
would free mankind from care

was Mrs. Gunn's advice to you, and Salty said it's true "
You'd better all believe it, Tom,
Dick, Harry, Lou and Sue

What should we do? enquired Sue, What is the Why and Wherefore?
How do we start and If we do then
What should be our prayers for?

You could pray to any god if you want satisfaction
But if you want to change the world,
said ET, ....try some Action

I don't think you've been listening to all that I have said
it seems my time's been wasted
Lou should have stayed in bed!

Oh, No ET, I'm sorry that it's taking us so long
to learn about the Common law
and singing "our own song"

I've always thought there's something wrong with always being needed
to see to this and see to that,
shackled and impeded

Being "needed" we all thought was part of being "loved"
and always 'doing as you're told'
down our throats was shoved

Lou's right, said Dick, it takes a while to see the "other way"
Absorbing all you've said to us
will take more than a day

Take it easy, ET said, there's reason and there's rhyme
behind this simple exercise
"Take one step at a time"

In dance it's called the Timestep; for one leads to another
and soon you'll have a dance routine
performing with your brother

Oh gosh, gushed Gert, I love to dance the Twostep and the Tango
but best of all is Modern Waltz
or doing the Fandango

Oh, shutup Gert, you silly twerp, said Harry, I can't dance
Nor can I lamented Sue
I never had the chance

I was born with two left legs to dance I was unable
That's OK, the ET grinned,
Here, help me off the table

We'll have some fun, I'll show you all how you can dance in time
still staying in a circle
we'll sing this little rhyme

"First with your left foot, then with your right
Tap Shuffle Hop Tap dancing will delight
Tap Shuffle Hop Tap dancing will excite"

Now altogether, sing with all your might
Life is but a Hop and Tap
and Shuffle, left and right

Come on Lev, cried Gandhi let's sing and dance together
and kicking up his heels Lev said
"I feel light as a feather"

Of course you're light you silly coot, you're just a flamin' ghost
said Salty, watch what I can do,
I hate to bloody boast

Cuttin' rugs and swing and jive is what I did the best
but Hop and Tap and Shuffle
puts me to the test

Reminds me of the chorus girls who tapped and kicked in line
a bit too regimented
and much too hard for mine

But ET just ignored him, It's not too hard you see
It only takes some practise
to dance in unity

I've got it! Yes, I've made it! Look, I'm foot and fancy free
as Harry hopped and shuffled
he was tapping happily

Salty said, You've got it mate; but listen to the rhythm
if you want to dance in time
you've got to step right with 'em

Keeping in the circle and tapping right along
each of you can take a turn
at singing your own song

all can join the chorus as your song you sing
in baritone or alto
let your voices ring

in tenor or soprano till you realise
that singing sounds much better
if you harmonise

Beautiful-Isle-episode15

 

Beautiful Isle - episode 17