Valiantly continue the 43T Singalong in Velo's Absence and Hope He Returns to Us Soon

I am putting this goal to rest as well. When and if Velo returns, though, I reserve the right to dust off this goal and lead my friends in song again in tribute and thanks.

Of course, if and when you return to us, sweet Maestro, you can lead the choir yourself. And I, for one, will be in the front row, singing (perhaps a tad off-key) at the top of my voice.

Miss you, kiddo.

[in sotto voce, acapella…]

I don’t want a pickle,
Just wannna ride my velo-sickle…

[can I get some acapella harmony for the next part?]

This song has resonance in a couple different ways for me today.

Missing sweet friends this morning, with the CT snows falling gently outside my window.

This is a song for you, V, by one the great poets, currently a resident of our shared state.

“People around me are at it again,
God only knows how they do it,
one to another then back again
something keeps putting them through it.
Me I’ve been watching more than fifteen years,
and it hasn’t changed a bit.
People keep talking ‘bout a different line
but it never seems to fit…”

when you need a friend… Hurry back, Velo. Only god knows what trouble we’ll get into find in your absence. We need your steadying hand, your maturity, your courage in the face of adversity. Otherwise, we wander, aimlessly ^duck! ruthlessly ^{i wonder where ruth is} tastelessly ^{and hence the following…}

(Tap-tap-tap)
“Who’s that knocking at my door?
Who’s that knocking at my door?
Who’s that knocking at my door?”
Cried the fair young maiden.

“It’s only me from over the sea”, says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
“I’m all lit up like a Christmas tree”, says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
“I’ll sail the sea until I croak, I fight ‘n swear ‘n drink ‘n smoke,
But I can’t swim a bloody stroke”, says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.

“Are you young and handsome, sir?
Are you young and handsome, sir?
Are you young and handsome, sir?”
Cried the fair young maiden.

“I’m old ‘n rough ‘n dirty ‘n tough”, says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
“I drink my gin ‘n dip my snuff”, says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
“I drink my whiskey when I can, whiskey from an old tin can,
Fer whiskey is the life of Man”, says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.

“I’ll come down and let you in!
I’ll come down and let you in!
I’ll come down and let you in!”
Cried the fair young maiden.

“Well hurry before I break the door”, says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
“I’ll puff ‘n fuss ‘n rant ‘n roar”, says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
“I’ll spin you yarns ‘n tell you lies, I’ll drink yer wine ‘n eat yer pies,
I’ll kiss yer cheek ‘n black yer eyes”, says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.

“Sing me a love song low and sweet!
Sing me a love song low and sweet!
Sing me a love song low and sweet!”
Cried the fair young maiden.

“Sixteen men on a dead man’s chest”, sang Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
“Yo-heave-ho and a bottle of rum”, sang Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
“Oh, a high-rig-a-jig and a jauntin’ car, a-hee a-ho are you ‘most done,
Belay my boys and the Bull-jine run”, sang Barnacle Bill the Sailor.

“Tell me that we soon shall wed!
Tell me that we soon shall wed!
Tell me that we soon shall wed!”
Cried the fair young maiden.

“I’ve got me a wife in every port”, says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
“And handsome gals is what I court”, says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
“With my false heart ‘n flatterin’ tongue, I courts ‘em all both old ‘n
young,
I courts ‘em all but marries none”, says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.

“When shall I see you again?
When shall I see you again?
When shall I see you again?
Cried the fair young maiden.
“Tonight I’m sailin’ from the shore”, says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
“If you wait fer me to come, sittin’ and waitin’ ‘n suckin’ yer thumb,
You’ll wait until the day of yer doom!”, says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.

"Never again, I'll come no more", says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.

In an effort to feel some modicum of wholeness in our sweet friend Velo’s absence, I am hoping my friends (and his) will join with me today in song. Velo, we miss you, and hope you are off indulging in rewarding pursuits. Return when you can, friend. In the meantime, let’s keep the homefires burning, shall we? Sing with me…

“What would you think if I sang out of tune
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song
And I’ll try not to sing out of key…”