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An Old Man in Paris

from Humbug 23 by robb johnson

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about

I am slowly working my way through Rimbaud's poetry (mainly in English but also slowly when I am feeling ambitious in the original French. As i get older I realise that i don't understand things in English, so I quite enjoy not understanding things in French aussi.).
To be honest, I never thought much of Jim Morrison's verbose lyrics, but you have to respect someone who does actually carry out that youthful ambition to drink themselves to death in Paris, though as this song says, on balance I am happy that I never quite did.
& Samuel Beckett remains an absolute inspiration.
Fuck me - here we are then, writing about writers. I am never sure if this is a sign of creative bankruptcy or not, but after a while, you're grateful for anything you write, i find.

lyrics

BY THE TIME THAT HE’D HIT TWENTY
HE’D RUN OUT OF SHIT TO SAY
BUT ARTIE KEPT ON RUNNING SHIT
& MAYBE YEAH OKAY
PATTI SMITH GETS TO CURATE HIM
IN THE CENTRE POMPIDOU
ME I’D RATHER GO SEE ALICE NEEL
WHO KEPT ON WORKING, TOO
I’D RATHER BE AN OLD MAN IN PARIS
WITH YOU

JIMBO GOT TO PERE LACHAISE
COS HE DID TOO MUCH DRINKING
I WAS YOUNG & FOOLISH TOO
BUT I DID TOO MUCH THINKING
WHO WANTS TO DANCE FOREVER
IN THE DISCOTEQUE VINGT-SEPT
THERE’LL ALWAYS BE THAT NEXT CAFÉ
WE’VE NOT DISCOVERED YET
I’D RATHER BE AN OLD MAN IN PARIS
WITH YOU

WITH YOU THERE’S ALWAYS POETRY
ON EVERY PARIS TRAIN
& ALL THOSE FROZEN FALLING STARS
CAUGHT DANCING DOWN THE BOULVARDS

I’LL CAREFULLY LIFT EACH LEG UP
AS I CLIMB THE METRO STAIRS
I’LL WEAR THAT THREADBARE LONG BLACK COAT
I ALWAYS USED TO WEAR
I’LL LOOK LIKE SAMMY BECKET, LOST
FOR ONE LAST WORD TO SAY
WHEN THE WAY YOU LOOK AT NIGHTFALL
ALWAYS TAKES MY BREATH AWAY
I’D RATHER BE AN OLD MAN IN PARIS
WITH YOU

credits

from Humbug 23, released December 1, 2023

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Robb Johnso Hove, UK

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