And now for something completely different...

Here’s Pope Benedict XVI at the piano:

I just know he’s accompanying himself singing “Oh My Darling Clementine” -- I can feel it in my bones -- so why don’t we all join in and sing along? I’m sure you know the lyrics:

Oh My Darling Clementine

In a cavern, by a canyon,
Excavating for a mine,
Dwelt a miner (forty-niner),
And his daughter Clementine.

Chorus:
Oh my darling, Oh my darling,
Oh my darling Clementine,
You are lost and gone forever,
Dreadful sorry, Clementine.

Repeat chorus

Light she was and like a fairy,
And her shoes were number nine;
Herring boxes, without topses,
Sandals were for Clementine.

Repeat chorus

Drove she ducklings to the water,
Every morning just at nine;
Hit her foot against a splinter,
Fell into the foaming brine.

Repeat chorus

Ruby lips above the water,
Blowing bubbles, soft and fine;
But Alas! I was no swimmer,
So I lost my Clementine.

Repeat chorus

Then the miner (forty-niner)
Soon began to pique and pine,
Thought he oughter join his daughter,
Now he’s with his Clementine.

Repeat chorus

In a corner of the churchyard,
Where the myrtle boughs entwine,
Grow the roses in their poses,
Fertilized by Clementine.

Repeat chorus

In my dreams she still doth haunt me,
Robed in garments soaked in brine.
Though in life I used to hug her,
Now she’s dead, I’ll draw the line.

Repeat chorus

How I missed her, how I missed her,
How I missed my Clementine,
Till I kissed her little sister,
And forgot my Clementine.

Repeat chorus

Now you Boy Scouts, there’s a moral
To this little tale of mine.
Artificial respiration
Would have saved my Clementine.

Repeat chorus


Somehow I found that curiously refreshing.