May 10 2012

The Old Dope Peddler

You are no doubt familiar with songs about the old lamplighter and the old umbrella man and the old garbage collector and all these lovable old characters who go around spreading sweetness and light to their respective communities but, it’s always seemed to me that there is one member of this happy band who does an equally splendid job, but who has never been properly recognized in song or story, and this is an attempt to remedy, at least in part, that deplorable situation.

When the shades of night are falling, comes a fellow ev’ryone knows,

It’s the old dope peddler, spreading joy wherever he goes.

Ev’ry evening you will find him, around our neighborhood.

It’s the old dope peddler. Doing well by doing good.

He gives the kids free samples, because he knows full well

That today’s young innocent faces will be tomorrow’s clientele.

Here’s a cure for all your troubles. Here’s an end to all distress.

It’s the old dope peddler with his powdered ha-happiness.

2 comments

    • RUKind on May 11, 2012 at 07:14
    • #

    There are however products of field and forest and alchemists charms that’ll put a smile in your heart that will tear the smile off your face. A long time ago I was an Eskimo spreading some joy around. Mr. Dylan has his own tale herein:

    Ev’rybody’s building the big ships and the boats,

    Some are building monuments,

    Others, jotting down notes,

    Ev’rybody’s in despair,

    Ev’ry girl and boy

    But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here,

    Ev’rybody’s gonna jump for joy.

    Come all without, come all within,

    You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn.

    I like to do just like the rest, I like my sugar sweet,

    But guarding fumes and making haste,

    It ain’t my cup of meat.

    Ev’rybody’s ‘neath the trees,

    Feeding pigeons on a limb

    But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here,

    All the pigeons gonna run to him.

    Come all without, come all within,

    You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn.

    A cat’s meow and a cow’s moo, I can recite ’em all,

    Just tell me where it hurts yuh, honey,

    And I’ll tell you who to call.

    Nobody can get no sleep,

    There’s someone on ev’ryone’s toes

    But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here,

    Ev’rybody’s gonna wanna doze.

    Come all without, come all within,

    You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn.

Comments have been disabled.