Dan Smith
For intermediate learners: "I Want to Go to Morrow"

This might be fun for intermediate students of English. If nothing else, it's an exercise in understanding common verb tenses.

These are song lyrics. They make just one simple play on words--over and over again, in different ways.

For a listening challenge, here's a cylinder recording of it from 1902:
http://www.library.ucsb.edu/OBJID/Cylinder0034

There (really is) a small town in the state of Ohio named Morrow (population 1200). The song plays on going "to Morrow," the town, and going "tomorrow," the day after today.

A native speaker understands the song almost effortlessly, verb tenses and all; the humor comes from the split-second it takes to hear something and realize, from context, whether it is "to Morrow" or "tomorrow."

Notes: "To guy" is used here in an old-fashioned meaning: to make fun of, to mock. A "jay" is another outdated word for someone rural and unsophisticated. "Chump" is a mild insult meaning "stupid" or "gullible;" and a "cinch" is something easy. 

"I Want to Go to Morrow"
Lew Sully, 1898

I started on a journey just about a week ago,
For the little town called Morrow in the State of Ohio.
I never was a traveler, and really didn't know
That Morrow has been ridiculed a century or so

I went down to the depot for my ticket and applied
For tips regarding Morrow not expecting to be guyed.
Said I, "My friend, I want to go to Morrow and return
Not later than tomorrow for I haven't time to burn."

Said he to me, "Now let me see if I have heard you right.
You want to go to Morrow and come back tomorrow night.
To go from here to Morrow and return is quite a way;
You should have gone to Morrow yesterday, and back today.

For if you started yesterday to Morrow, don't you see,
You could have got to Morrow, and returned today at three;
The train that started yesterday, now understand me right,
Today it gets to Morrow and returns tomorrow night."

Said I, "My boy, it seems to me you're talking through your hat.
Is there a town named Morrow on your line? now tell me that."
"There is," said he, "and take from me a quiet little tip.
To go from here to Morrow is a fourteen hour trip.

The train that goes to Morrow leaves today, eight forty-five;
At half-past ten tomorrow is the time it should arrive.
Now if from here to Morrow is a fourteen hour jump,
Can you go today to Morrow and come back today, you chump?

Now, if you start today to Morrow, it's a cinch you'll land
Tomorrow into Morrow--not today, you understand.
Now, the train today to Morrow--if the scheduling is right--
Will get you into Morrow by about tomorrow night."

Said I, "I guess you know it all but kindly let me say,
How can I go to Morrow if I leave this town today?"
Said he, "You cannot go to Morrow any more today--
'Cause the train that goes to Morrow is a mile upon its way!"

I was so disappointed. I was mad enough to swear.
The train had gone to Morrow and had left me standing there.
The man was right in telling me I was a howling jay.
I didn't go to Morrow, so I guess I'll go today!

 

 

2015年10月26日 16:56
评论 · 3

Very funny! Thanks! ^_^

2015年10月27日

¡Buenísimo! Muchas gracias.

2015年10月27日

Thanks)) I had fun ))) I wonder, how could I be confused, if would hear this song or lyric )))))

 

2015年10月27日