The Songstone

Braids of strong garlic have repelled some critics. Vampire scribes! Biting at 'banality', they cannot hear beauty in the dreamy metre, singing so quietly. © Simon M Hunter 2010

A translation of Bella ciao per tutti i compagni caduti In the morning, I was awakened Bella, ciao! bella, ciao! bella, ciao, ciao, ciao! Yes, in the morning, I was awakened I saw invaders all around O freedom fighter, take me from here, Bella, ciao! bella, ciao! bella, ciao, ciao, ciao! O freedom fighter, take me from here, Or else I’m sure to die of grief And if I die a freedom fighter Bella, ciao! bella, ciao! bella, ciao, ciao, ciao! And if I die a freedom fighter You should bury me up high Bury me high, high on the mountain, Bella, ciao! bella, ciao! bella, ciao, ciao, ciao! Bury me high, high on the mountain Under the gentle flower’s shade And all the people who pass me by Bella, ciao! bella, ciao! bella, ciao, ciao, ciao! And all the people who pass me by Sing “The gentle flower” rime “That’s the flower of freedom’s fighter Bella, ciao! bella, ciao! bella, ciao, ciao, ciao! “That’s the flower of freedom’s fighter And he died in freedom’s cause” ©...

Not my poem, obviously, but I've transcribed it as I would read it. Thanks to Hic8ubique and DeadGod at the Guardian's Poem of the Week blog for comments and suggestions. © Simon M Hunter 2010

PDF here © Simon M Hunter 2010

For HJH Today’s your birthday, Harry, darling boy A little rhyme to wish you happiness and joy Five years you’ve bounced around on Earth, my son Five years in Islington Y our daddy’s thoughts are there with you today I hope the party’s great and full of play Fun with your friends, making noise and laughs And blindman’s bluff with scarves I’ll send these lines before my darkness comes How long, after all, can this old crow sing? Your father’s life is tired; it lacks all mirth But you, my son, will grow such mighty wings! I love you, Harry, more than all the sum Of roaring fire or water, air or earth © Simon M Hunter 2010