Poetry Corner Thread, A Poem by Benjamin Zephaniah

De Rong Song

By Benjamin Zephaniah



Your house is
Falling down
Around
Your
Feet,
And you got
Nought
To eat,
Don't worry
Be happy.
Your fish
Have drowned
You wear
A frown,
You search
But you don't
Own a pound,
Don't worry
Be happy.

You ain't got
Nowhere to
Play,
Just balconies
And
Motorways,
Don't worry
Be happy.

You meet
Someone
You really like,
They tell you to
Get on your bike,
Don't worry
Be happy.

You're on your bike
And all is fine,
You get caught
In a washing line,
Don't worry
Be happy.

You go to school
The school is
Gone,
The Government
Put pressure on,
Don't worry
Be happy.

Your tea is
Dry
Your ice is
Hot,
Your head is
Tied up in a
Not,
Don't worry
Be happy.

You worry
Because
You're hurrying,
And hurry
Because
You're worrying,
Don't happy
Be worried.

I have this on a tape and love it - I did not realize it was written by Benjamin Zephaniah - thanks, Terry.
Don't worry; be happy.
Maggie

And another.....

Be nice to yu turkeys dis christmas
Cos' turkeys just wanna hav fun
Turkeys are cool, turkeys are wicked
An every turkey has a Mum.
Be nice to yu turkeys dis christmas,
Don't eat it, keep it alive,
It could be yu mate, an not on your plate
Say, Yo! Turkey I'm on your side.
I got lots of friends who are turkeys
An all of dem fear christmas time,
Dey wanna enjoy it, dey say humans destroyed it
An humans are out of dere mind,
Yeah, I got lots of friends who are turkeys
Dey all hav a right to a life,
Not to be caged up an genetically made up
By any farmer an his wife.

Turkeys just wanna play reggae
Turkeys just wanna hip-hop
Can yu imagine a nice young turkey saying,
'I cannot wait for de chop',
Turkeys like getting presents, dey wanna watch christmas TV,
Turkeys hav brains an turkeys feel pain
In many ways like yu an me.

I once knew a turkey called...Turkey
He said "Benji explain to me please,
Who put de turkey in christmas
An what happens to christmas trees?",
I said "I am not too sure turkey
But itÕs nothing to do wid Christ Mass
Humans get greedy an waste more dan need be
An business men mek loadsa cash'.

Be nice to yu turkey dis christmas
Invite dem indoors fe sum greens
Let dem eat cake an let dem partake
In a plate of organic grown beans,
Be nice to yu turkey dis christmas
An spare dem de cut of de knife,
Join Turkeys United an dey'll be delighted
An yu will mek new friends 'FOR LIFE'.

Originally Posted by MaggieBlue

I have this on a tape and love it - I did not realize it was written by Benjamin Zephaniah - thanks, Terry.
Don't worry; be happy.
Maggie

I hate being pedantic, Maggie, but I think you'll find that this poem is a parody of the one you have on tape (if it's a song you are referring to).

A lot of what Benjamin Zephaniah writes is wickedly humorous and tonge-in-cheek and I think the last two lines should give him away!!

That's another good one, Lottie. He's the only poet who writes in "that style" whose poetry I really enjoy. He's on of my favourites cos he writes - in my opinion - black poetry with a white sense of humour. And that's not meant racially but because of cultural differences.

(And I could tell you about the time I met him, but that would be name-dropping!!!).

A link of interest.....

http://www.benjaminzephaniah.com/content/kidz.php

Thanks, Terry - no, I didn't notice that. Ok, did you write the one above?

And thanks to Lottie for the excellent site.
Maggie

Originally Posted by MaggieBlue

Thanks, Terry - no, I didn't notice that. Ok, did you write the one above?

And thanks to Lottie for the excellent site.
Maggie

NO! This is the original version -




One Hit Wonders Lyrics


Don't Worry, Be Happy Lyrics by Bobby McFerrin



Don't Worry, Be Happy
From the Movie "Cocktails"
Performed by Bobby McFerrin

Here is a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy......

Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy
The land lord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy
Lood at me I am happy
Don't worry, be happy
Here I give you my phone number
When you worry call me
I make you happy
Don't worry, be happy
Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style
Ain't got not girl to make you smile
But don't worry be happy
Cause when you worry
Your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
So don't worry, be happy (now).....

There is this little song I wrote
I hope you learn it note for note
Like good little children
Don't worry, be happy
Listen to what I say
In your life expect some trouble
But when you worry
You make it double
Don't worry, be happy......
Don't worry don't do it, be happy
Put a smile on your face
Don't bring everybody down like this
Don't worry, it will soon past
Whatever it is
Don't worry, be happy