On hindsight
No one believes: in that well worn saying
It'll be all right on the night
Mention the five rings
or that the Olympics are coming to London
this much is absolutely certain
considerable panic and loads of hand wringing
Predictions of unfinished venues
Spiraling costs
Log jam
Gridlock
Pandemonium
Watch out
Ticket touts about
Journalists whipping up panic
over the threat of terrorists
Fiddlesticks!
99% of the Olympics
went off without a hitch
Sceptical killjoys had reminded:
'We're in the midst of a severe financial crisis
We can't afford this...! '
Still others had grumbled:
'60 State of the Art hospitals could have been built
instead of all this extravagance.....'
And, doom-sayers swore:
'London has unpredictable weather
creaking infrastructure
How will it cope?
Think! '
From nay
to cynical complaints of bloated commercialism
To yea
and, finally to - complete addiction
The moment the torch arrived from Greece
the mood of the Country changed completely
Through gale force winds and poring rain
people came out in their droves
to catch a glimpse
and, to celebrate a fleeting moment
The famed British rain
stayed away - in the main
and, London basked in the sun
Opening ceremony
Magnificent
Closing ceremony
An absolute triumph
Olympic park
Hats off
People of all races
Came together to celebrate
Where else do you find such unity?
No place else - unfortunately
Buy me tickets to some event
Any event
I want to tell my relatives
' I was there! '
Success at swimming, rowing, shooting
and much, much more
Sent us Brits zooming up the medals board
Thanks in part to lottery funding
arranged by John Major's govt.
From twenty-one to fifteen
within the blink of an eye
we were at no.5
No! No.4
Now,3
Tee hee
Thanks - Team GB
Olympic fever - complete!
A combination of dedicated athletes
Enthusiastic volunteers
Meticulous logistical planning
Panoramic views on our TV screens
Ensured a very successful Olympics
Congratulations London
The games were great
And. the way you represented
a slice of Britain's rich heritage
It's well-known tolerance
it's diverse multiculturalism -
you definitely did the Nation proud.
poem by Nayyar Shabbir Ahmad
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Another Olympic Games For The Wealthy Only
Another Olympic games for the wealthy only doesn't life seem so unfair
In the Athens Olympic Stadium there won't be many there
Who live on a low income or struggle to get by on welfare
And who should win the medals why should I even care?
In life only the so called losers are those that interest me
The people who to circumstance must live in poverty
They won't be at the Olympics for to cheer their heroes on
Or to sigh in disappointment with hopes of a medal gone.
The Olympics ought to be re-named as the Games of Nationalistic Pride
And Athens 04 the destination of millionaires Worldwide
Waving their National flags and banners their patriotism on display
And that money speaks all languages is very relevant to today.
Another Olympic games for the wealthy only in a World of so much poverty
Just a vulgar show of wealth and Nationalistic pride at the opening and closing ceremony
And the have nots must feel content for to watch it on the t v
And which Nation's athletes are the most successful such things won't be worrying me.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Playing Music Is Like Making Love
PLAYING MUSIC IS LIKE MAKING LOVE
Many people who insist that they enjoy
music known as classical merely say
they do, pretending. Far more serious is the ploy
planned by LSO, who'll just pretend to play.
There is surely nothing wrong with those who fake
enjoyment, like a woman faking an orgasm,
but pretense of playing music's a mistake,
since music needs not only sound, but ectoplasm.
Orchestras and lovemakers should never mimic:
they should always show their skin when they perform,
and should not be, although poetic, metonymic:
the use of any substitute is rotten form.
Denis Bartel reported the news about the London Symphony Orchestra's decision to mimic their playing while a performance is broadcast to visits at the Olympic Games. David Ng writes in the LA Times:
Musicians with the London Symphony Orchestra are reportedly going to have to pull a Milli Vanilli when they appear at the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games in London. Reports from Britain state that the orchestra will mimic playing to prerecorded music due to concerns about the weather and the shape of the performing venue - a large, oval-shaped arena whose scale would apparently make a live-music performance tricky….
The London Symphony has reportedly recorded the music that is scheduled to be played during the July 27 ceremony. The Daily Mail reports that Boyle wanted the orchestra to perform live, but that he was overruled by the organizing committee for the Games. When viewers around the world tune in for the ceremony, they can expect to see the conductor and musicians from the renowned orchestra going through the motions while a soundtrack plays.
This wouldn't be the first time that the mimicking of live music was used at an Olympics ceremony. In 2008, a mini-controversy developed during the Beijing Games when it was revealed that a 9-year-old singer lip-synced to the voice of another young girl whom officials had deemed less telegenic. Similarly, at President Obama's inauguration, the musical performance by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinistItzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriella Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill played, unamplified, to a recording. The decision to use a recording was made over fears that the cold weather that day could damage the instruments.
6/4/12 #10403
poem by Gershon Hepner
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A Golden Moon (Olympic Poem)
Tonight, over Great Britain, there's a golden moon,
As, over our Olympic athletes, we proudly swoon.
Between them all, they won plenty of medals,
Particularly those, whose power needs pedals.
We saw faces streaming with tears of pride;
We saw faces beaming with smiles, so wide.
Our Team GB athletes are the toast of our nation,
And they have helped to inspire a new generation.
All of our athletes, competing on home turf,
Showcased their skills and showed their worth.
They performed with great energy and with zest;
Many proving that they are the World's very best.
Each of them gave it their all, and they did us proud;
They were cheered on their way by an eager crowd.
They showed us that now was their moment to shine,
And up the medals table, our team quickly climbed.
They all felt a great sense of pride within their heart,
And they all felt honoured to have played their part.
Many personal bests and new world records were set.
The Olympic Games of 2012, we will never forget.
poem by Angela Wybrow
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On The Retirement Of Ian Thorpe
I heard on the radio in the sports news today
That Ian Thorpe the great swimmer has give competitive swimming away
A winner of nine Olympic medals five of them gold
Of his greatness in story and song we've been told
Australia's greatest ever swimmer if not the World's best
He was never found to be wanting when put to the test
But at twenty four years he said enough for me
At the World Championships and the Olympics him we'll never more see
At the prime of his life one might say a young man
But at top competitive swimming top swimmers do not have a long span
In the World of swimming he is an all time great
And his world Championship and Olympic victories Aussies did celebrate
A world renowned swimmer since he was a boy
And life after competitive swimming may he now enjoy.
poem by Francis Duggan
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The Marlboro Olympics
We all know of the Olympics
For athletes who are fit
What if we organised new games
And changed the rules a bit?
The tournament - its now unfair
Only the best compete
And all those who're less able
Could never win a heat.
So let our new rules equalise
The young 'n old and slow 'n fast
And let's introduce some new sports
In which the fittest may come last.
We will all compete on equal terms
In worldwide competition
No - this is not an empty dream
But a new Olympic vision.
We need to find us something
That the fittest do not do
And make it central to our games
The Olympics born anew.
We shall introduce some new sports
And new rules for the rest
But what will change above all else
Is smoking cigarettes.
Yes! The Marlboro Olympics!
Or whoever else will pay
To support our global smoking sports
And a more level field of play.
We've already got a logo
Entwined smoke rings in the sky
Just like those Olympic rings
But more pleasing to the eye.
The opportunity's enormous!
Just imagine that you're there
Oh the beauty of gynastics
With smoke swirling in the air!
Or in those cycle races
Where bottled water cyclists get
Now handed out throughout the race
Are successive cigarettes.
And in all the relay races
Where batons are exchanged
The baton will be lighted
With a filter tip arranged.
Sports like darts we'd showcase
And maybe dominoes
With beer on tap at every point
To make the action flow.
A new sport - extreme smoking
Would stimulate interest
In the finer points of coughing
And of wheezing in the chest.
The Olympic flame we'd stick with
It fits the whole concept
And we'd market special lighters
To publicise events.
For the sports that we're developing
We've got a site upon the net
So don't be slow - get thinking
And maybe light a cigarette.....
(pause - embarassed cough)
But while writing this i've had a thought
A shameful thought for me
If smokers pursued fitness
Then from smoking they'd be free.
poem by David Keig
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A Day On The Town
Summer in london, watery sunshine,
A place in the city where I can go sometimes.
To get on a red bus and go anywhere,
See all the sights and not pay the fare,
Summer in london.
Chip on your shoulder, chips in your mouth,
Can you see the old lady, with tickets to tout.
Getting the tourists into their traps,
Taking their money, the shirts off their backs,
Summer in london.
To get in a taxi and go anywhere,
Jump out at the park and not pay the fare.
Watch speakers corner, listen to their talk,
Eating their ice creams, going for a walk.
Summer in london, the weather man said,
Waking up late, got to get out of bed.
So much to do, got to go everywhere
A day on the town and not pay the fare.
Riots in london.
song performed by by Madness
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Day On The Town
Summer in london, watery sunshine,
A place in the city where I can go sometimes.
To get on a red bus and go anywhere,
See all the sights and not pay the fare,
Summer in london.
Chip on your shoulder, chips in your mouth,
Can you see the old lady, with tickets to tout.
Getting the tourists into their traps,
Taking their money, the shirts off their backs,
Summer in london.
To get in a taxi and go anywhere,
Jump out at the park and not pay the fare.
Watch speakers corner, listen to their talk,
Eating their ice creams, going for a walk.
Summer in london, the weather man said,
Waking up late, got to get out of bed.
So much to do, got to go everywhere
A day on the town and not pay the fare.
Riots in london.
song performed by by Madness
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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London
New York winter
Traffic squeals
The city feels...so old
Late December
Taxi ride
Then run inside
It's cold
Got your letter Monday
I think
Or Tuesday
I lose track
Since then I've been thinking of you
And I've been
Looking back to
London
Can you believe it's
So many years since
London
Hitching a ride and
Carrying knapsacks
London
In the park
By the Thames
Drinking tea
London
Sitting in pubs and
Living in walk-ups
London
Learning the accent
Learnin' to love you
London
We were young
We we sure
We were...free
Was it really ages
Ago
The memories
Never fade
Can you hear Big Ben where
You are
And are you
Glad you stayed in
London
Dodging the rain with
Broken umbrellas
London
Reading the times
On Saturday picnics
London
Counting the stars,
'Till the stars
All were gone
London
So many plans and
Nothing but time in
London
Nothing to fear 'cause
Nothing could last in
London
We grew close
We grew scared
I moved on
Oh London
What were we scared of
Why did I run from
London
Part of me still has
Never come back from
London
Is it fair
That I miss
You so much
Take good care
All my love
Keep in touch
New York winter
Taxi ride
Then run inside
It's cold
song performed by by Barry Manilow
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The London Games will be designed for the athletes and we will provide them with the very best venues and the very best conditions to pursue their sporting dreams in London.
quote by Sebastian Coe
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Squash has the credentials to become an olympic event and our goal is to see the sport in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. We are working towards this and will keep trying even if our bid is not successful.
quote by Jahangir Khan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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London
My visits to London always bring me cheer;
I wish it were possible to bottle the atmosphere.
I would collect together all the sights and sounds,
And surround myself with them, when I’m down.
A trip to London always seems to lift my mood;
By good old London town, I’m easily wooed.
There is always something new and exciting,
Which is why, to me, London seems so inviting.
I may begin a day feeling just a little bit down,
But once in London, a smile replaces my frown.
It’s one of my very favourite places to be;
There’s always so much to do and to see.
I think that London is such an amazing place;
It can suit all your needs, whatever your pace.
In central London, people are always in a rush,
But in the gardens and parks, can be found, hush.
When in London, I always feel on such a high;
My problems, for the day, I can kiss goodbye.
At the end of the day, I don’t want to leave.
The heady mix of aromas, I love to breathe.
I always find it so very hard, to pull myself away,
When, deep in my heart, I desperately want to stay.
Even when, at Waterloo, I’m sat on my train;
In London, a little piece of my heart remains.
poem by Angela Wybrow
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London
It was november 4th
I last held your hand
It seemed our time would last forever
You said dont ever leave
I thought youd never go
I wish I could just remember your name...
Youre just a memory now
Like all the ones before
But with your pain Ive had to suffer
Your eyes alight with flame
As the picture burns
I hear the screams from long ago
They cry remember, blood-red streaks on
Velvet throats at night
The streetlights fanned our trail of fame
Through
London london
The memories will never leave me
London london
All I see is you
London london
The cries in the night
Keep bringing me to
London london
Calling out to me
Oh theres some things in life I could never face
The worst is being alone
Sometimes I wish I could have taken your
Place my love
You know I dont want to live forever
Oh let me see you standing in the
Shadows once again
Well walk the streets like long ago in
London london
The fire in your eyes will be bringing me to
London london
All I need is you
The cries in the night keep ringing on in
London london
Calling out to you
song performed by by Queensryche
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Torch carrier
The Torch carrier
I am the person in a million
I am the lucky one
I will carry the torch
I will complete the run
I will run around our town
For all to see the flame
I will carry it high and proud
But not for an Olympian game
I will carry the torch
I will do the run
I will protect the flame
Because you are the one
The flame of the torch
Burns only for you
The woman I adore
With a love that's so true
The Olympics circus is in London
Third time lucky, I will be so bold
If they have a race for your heart
I will be running to win gold
Micmac
poem by Michael Micmac Mccrory
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London Pool
London Pool's in London town,
Ay, boys! O boys!
London Pool's in London town,
Where the great ships anchor down!
O to shake the canvas free,
Hear the cordage cheerily
Whistling to the open sea
Down from London Pool, O!
London Pool's a crowded place,
Ay, boys! O boys!
London Pool's a crowded place,
Crafts and crews of every race!
O to hear the clanking chain
Trail along the wharf again, -
Hear the tautening ropes astrain
Down from London Pool, O!
London Pool's a gallant sight,
Ay, boys! O boys!
London Pool's a gallant sight,
Toil by day and glare by night!
O to shake our heels and go, -
Feel the four free winds ablow,
Hail the lights of long ago
Down from London Pool, O!
poem by Cicely Fox Smith
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How to Make an Absolute Killing
Everyone but everyone wants to own a property in London
If theres a slight economic boom anywhere - in, say, India
Then, Indians will want to buy a place over here
Not in Paris. Not in the US
Not in places like Amsterdam
It's got to be London
People from every nook and cranny of the world
Where ever Britain had it's colonies
Are drawn like magnets to the 'Mother Country.'
I've lived in London for over 30 years
The Property market is simply booming
My palm is more than itching
So, when I sell my house
I hope and expect
To make an absolute killing!
poem by Nayyar Shabbir Ahmad
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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London
Through the satellites, I fight with you
That loca l brew is spillin
I know just how you spend your time
I want to get my hands on him
Somebodys party in a london flat
Youre where its at and I know
You want to see me lose my mind
Im tired of chasing after you
The residue is jealous
See me on the d ark side of your mind
I want to get my hands on him
To a club thats pounding in the london rain
The world could end we wouldnt hear it
I know just whats on your mind
I see the way your face has changed
Were no good for each other
You tricked me into coming here
So let go, I dont want to go to london
I told you I dont care
I dont want to go to london
To live there
I dont want to go to london
All your friends afflicted
I dont want to go to london
Shes addicted
I saw you with h im
I know where youve been
That nose is broken wide open
Your way has got me out of line
I want to get my hands on him
You so... to make me
Prove it takes a fight to move you
I know just whats on your mind
Its been this way a thousand years
We torture each other
So why the helld you call me here
When you know
I dont want to go to london
I told you I dont care
I dont want to go to london
Live there
I dont want to go to london
All your friends afflicted
I dont want to go to london
Shes addicted
I dont want to go to london
I told you I dont care
I dont want to go to london
Cause youre not there
I dont want to go to london
Even when I see you
Somewhere else in london
I dont want to go to london
song performed by by Third Eye Blind
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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London Rain
I'm coming, i'm coming home to you
I'm alive, i'm a mess
I can't wait to get home to you
To get warm and undressed
There've been changes beyond my dreams
Everybody wants me to sing
There've been changes beyond my grasp
Things i'm sinking in
So keep me, keep me in your bed all day, all day
Nothing heals me like you do
Nothing heals me like you do
And when somebody knows you well
Well, there's no comfort like that
And when somebody needs you
Well, there's no drug like that
So keep me, keep me in your bed all day, all day
Nothing heals me like you do
Nothing heals me like you do
And when i'm home, curled in your arms
And i'm safe again
I'll close my eyes and sleep, sleep
To the sound of london rain
So keep me, keep me in your bed all day, all day
Nothing heals me like you do
So keep me, keep me in your bed all day, all day
Nothing heals me like you do
Nothing heals me like you do
Nothing falls like london rain
Nothing heals me like you do
Nothing falls like london rain
Nothing heals me like you do
Nothing falls like london rain
Nothing heals me like you do
Nothing falls like london rain
Nothing heals me like you do
song performed by by Heather Nova
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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London
We came from the far North
summered in Crimea
deserted the armed forces
had to disappear
made it to the free West
on a chartered flight
so we could see what
we trained to fight
We were in London
"Let's do it - let's break the law!"
We were in London
Tell it like it is
We were in London
Tell it like it is
Looking for hard work
or credit card fraud
What do you expect from us?
We come from abroad
to get ourselves a new job
on a building-site
They work you so hard
but we trained to fight
We were in London
"Let's do it - let's break the law!"
We were in London
Tell it like it is
We were in London
"Let's do it - let's break the law!"
We were in London
Tell it like it is
My father fought in Afghanistan
His widow's pension ain't worth a damn
My mother works and goes home to cry
I want to live before I die
We were in London
"Let's do it - let's break the law!"
We were in London
Tell it like it is
We were in London
Tell it like it is
song performed by by Pet Shop Boys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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London's Burning
His eyes reflect the golden fire, his pupils burning bright
As he turns away they feel a sudden, crying urge to fight
Big Old Ben has run away, they always thought it might
London's Burning
London's Burning
The chapels down in Kensington are bursting into flames
The children of the neighbourhood are dancing, gone insane
They hug their parent's knees and try to cry away the shame
London's Burning
London's Burning
Members of the royalty rush in to see the Queen
She's rushed off to a bunker, told to wait and not to scream
But all of London's gone aflame, her bunker traps her here
London's Burning
London's Burning
Teenage gangs are on the prowl, they go from place to place
They need no names or calls or shouts, don't need know their race
Just know that all who wear a hood are filled to burst with rage
London's Burning
London's Burning
2 weeks on, the smoke has gone and rebels rule the streets
No-one walks the road at all for fear of who they'll meet
The dead are marked with crosses red and hid with pale sheets
London's Burning
London's Burning
2 more weeks, rotting flesh is all that you can smell
Water's got infected, and the food's all gone as well
The only people left, they wander in a living hell
London's Burning
London's Burning
poem by Matt Pocock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Werewolves Of London
I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand
Walking thru the streets of Soho in the rain
He was looking for the place called Lee Ho Fook's
Going to get himself a big dish of beef chow mein
Hi ho, the werewolves of London
If you hear his howling around the kitchen door
You better not let him in
Little old lady got mutilated last nite
Werewolves of London again
Hi ho, werewolves of London
He's the hairy-handed gent who ran amuck in Kent
Lately he's been overheard in Mayfair
You better stay away from him, he'll rip your lungs out Jim
I'd like to meet his tailor
Hi ho, werewolves of London
Well, I saw Lon Cheney walking with the Queen
Doing the werewolves of London
I saw Lon Cheney Jr. walking with the Queen
I saw a werewolf dringing a pina colada at Trader Vic's
And his hair was perfect
Hi ho, the werewolves of London, draw blood
song performed by by Grateful Dead
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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