My last rant bout punctuation reminded me of a ridiculous (but, in my opinion, hilarious) song. I heard it a number of years ago, but every once in a while when I’m struggling with punctuation, the chorus to this song will come popping into my head. To get its true effect, you really have to hear this one sung, but I thought I’d post the lyrics anyways. ;D Runs as follows:
Well, come along boys and have a glass of cider,
I’ll tell you what it’s like to be a freelance writer.
Comma tie yie yippy
yippy yay yippy yay
comma tie yie yippy semi-colon.
Well, writing is easy and the money is great,
But it’s hard to know how to punctuate.
Comma tie yie comma
yippy quote yippy quote
comma tie yie parenthesis yippy parenthesis.
Well, I’ve written great stuff, editors reject,
Brilliant work, but it wasn’t correct.
Comma tie yie comma
dash yippie yippy dash
yippie tie yie comma yippy period.
- Garrison Keillor
As much as I love that song, I really don’t quite get the middle section: “…writing is easy and the money is great…” Am I missing out on some widely known writer’s trade-secret? For me, writing is a love-hate relationship. I love it too much to give it up, but spend most of my time wondering WHY ON EARTH I keep doing this to myself—voluntarily, no less! Maybe Mr. Keillor never truly experienced the agony of being a Starving Artist, eh? Being the renowned comedian he is, I can see how he’d be under the impression that “the money is great”… I’m have yet to get there, myself. *grumble grumble* :)
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