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.

A reason FOR and a reason AGAINST converting to Roman Catholicism

No, I am not converting to Roman Catholicism. But I thought you might be interested in seeing the following two items.

1. FOR: Prayer of Pope Benedict XVI at Ground Zero, New York, 20 April 2008, reproduced below.

“O God of love, compassion, and healing, look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions, who gather today at this site, the scene of incredible violence and pain. We ask you in your goodness to give eternal light and peace to all who died here — the heroic first-responders: our fire fighters, police officers, emergency service workers, and Port Authority personnel, along with all the innocent men and women who were victims of this tragedy simply because their work or service brought them here on September 11, 2001.

We ask you, in your compassion to bring healing to those who, because of their presence here that day, suffer from injuries and illness. Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy. Give them strength to continue their lives with courage and hope.

We are mindful as well of those who suffered death, injury, and loss on the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Our hearts are one with theirs as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.

God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world: peace in the hearts of all men and women and peace among the nations of the earth. Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred.

God of understanding, overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy, we seek your light and guidance as we confront such terrible events. Grant that those whose lives were spared may live so that the lives lost here may not have been lost in vain.

Comfort and console us, strengthen us in hope, and give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all.”


2. AGAINST: What can be yours for only 229 euros.

I don’t know, though. On second thought, these may be two reasons FOR converting.