12 :: The Maddening Smile :: A Slow Drag with "Damnation's Cellar"

Today's slow drag is with "Damnation's Cellar," from "The Juliet Letters," released in 1993. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello's birth name.

.

.

.

 

Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson

Twitter: @slowdragremedy

Email: [email protected]

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

References:

"Damnation's Cellar": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mMIP8WCf_w 

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, “Damnation’s Cellar” http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/Damnation%27s_Cellar

“Damnation’s Cellar” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mMIP8WCf_w

People write to Juliet Caplet: http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/The_Juliet_Letters_(1993)_liner_notes

Rhyme Scheme: https://www.creative-writing-now.com/rhyme-schemes.html

https://literarydevices.net/rhyme-scheme/

Thank you to Comeron Mazafair @world_on_a_wire for his help with linguistic terminology.

Punter slang definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/punter

Mona Lisa’s Last Name (sometimes questioned) https://www.wga.hu/html_m/l/leonardo/04/1monali.html

English Triple Crown: https://www.britannica.com/sports/Triple-Crown-British-horse-racing

Nijinsky, the crowd favorite triple crown winner: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/racing/greatest-derby-winners/nijinsky-epsom-1970-profile/ 

"Damnation's Cellar" Lyrics:

Did anybody notice, over marmalade and eggs
In between the Princess' legs
What with wars and floods and beggars
Not to mention stocks and shares
Well, if you have a moment to spare
Can you write and reassure me that I have seen
That they're constructing a time machine
There will be no need for the obituary pages
We can have any hero from the bygone ages
'Til the truth emerges, an argument rages

The major and the minor turn from tallow into tar
Should we leave them in their place down in damnation's cellar?

When any form of deity that you might enjoy
Can be conjured with a test-tube and a flame
If it's out there then science can explain it
Or at least remove the blame
And if there is anyone you'd like to see again
Then speak up quickly
Send us back Da Vinci then we don't have to ponder
The maddening smile of "La Giaconda"
The critics say Nijinsky, the dancer, of course
While the punters would probably prefer the horse
You'll find it's quicker than history, cheaper than divorce

The major and the minor turn from tallow into tar
Should we leave them in their place down in damnation's cellar?

Bring back Liberace or Ollie and Stan
Shakespeare will have to wait his turn
Elvis Presley and Puccini shall return
I suppose we live and learn
Though it's hard to believe as we cheerfully burn
It's curious
Some will call for justice, there are murders to solve
What about Hitler? Or at least Lee Harvey Oswald
Give us this day and everything we squander
Anyone beautiful, somebody blonder
They'll never please mankind, so lie back and enjoy it
Stop press: They've just decided to destroy it

The major and the minor turn from tallow into tar
Should we leave them in their place down in damnation's cellar?