My Virtual Reading Room

NORMAN ROCKWELL APRIL FOOL (GIRL WITH SHOPKEEPER, CURIOSITY SHOP), 1948
There are many objects and details that are wrong or with a lot of humor in this painting!!
Can you find them??



(from Vintage Postcards FB page)

( Lyrics and translation: )

Something I have found amusing, and perhaps you might, too--

Two versions of an ageless classic. The first one has English subtitles.

A 1987 concert in Germany.

Lyrics and translation:

Римская империя времени упадка
сохраняла видимость твердого порядка:
Цезарь был на месте, соратники рядом,
жизнь была прекрасна, судя по докладам.
А критики скажут, что слово "соратник" - не римская деталь,
что эта ошибка всю песенку смысла лишает...
Может быть, может быть, может и не римская - не жаль,
мне это совсем не мешает, а даже меня возвышает.

The Roman Empire during the time of its decline
Preserved the appearance of firm order:
The caesar was in his place, his comrades near him,
And life was wonderful, according to reports.
But the critics will say that the word "comrades" is not a Roman detail,
That this mistake deprives this entire little song of its meaning...
Maybe, maybe, maybe it's not Roman--I'm not sorry about it,
It doesn't interfere with what I have in mind; on the contrary, it elevates me.( Read more... )

And here's a version with lyrics:

Wishing you and/or your family members greater success in the academic efforts than this hapless student had ;)

The illustrations in the video are by the famous and talented Kukryniksy.

(cross-posting to greatpoetry )




Samuil Marshak
About one schoolboy and six poor marks

A schoolboy came from school one day
And hid his record-book away.

“Where is your record-book?” asked Mum,
So out again it had to come.

A "Very Poor" caught Mother’s eye;

She shook her head and heaved a sigh.

On hearing of his son’s disgrace
His Dad went scarlet in the face.

“What was it for, upon my word?”
“I called a baobab a bird.( Read more... )

~~~
TCHIN TCHIN
CHEERS

A tous ceux qui partent, tchin tchin tchin
To all those whom are leaving, cheers
Всем, кто уходит--за ваше здоровье!
A tous ceux qui restent, tchin tchin tchin
To all whom are staying, cheers
Всем, кто остаётся--за ваше здоровье!
A tous ceux qui tombent, tchin tchin tchin
To all the fallen, cheers
Всем, кто упал, за ваше здоровье!
A tous ceux qui sombrent, tchin tchin tchin
To all those whom founder, cheers
Всем, кто запутался--за ваше здоровье!( Read more... )