WE DIDN'T STOP THE RINGSTETTENS

WE DIDN'T STOP THE RINGSTETTENS 
A We Didn't Start the Fire Filk
starring the Ringstetten first generation in Sweden -- Swedish Phase of the 30 Years War

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Swedish royals in Küstrin,
governor's children are in,
Ensign Gerhard, treat the flag
like your fiancée...

Liselotte, Klang, befriending,
Magdeburg's uncertain ending,
Catholic League, Protestants,
so we're on our way!

Counts Tilly and Pappenheim,
debts they owe to Wallenstein,
Magdeburg soon burned down,
then they move to Leipzig town...

Breitenfeld, war council scene,
Sweden's got a drama queen,
open battle, liberation,
Habsburg Empire goodbye...

WE DIDN'T STOP THE RINGSTETTENS,
they were always earning
medals for their yearning...
WE DIDN'T STOP THE RINGSTETTENS,
no we didn't slight them,
but we tried to fight them...

Catholic Priest Street, cross the Rhine,
winter solstice, sipped mulled wine,
save her mum Anna-Maria,
Alois in love...
Pappenheimers in the snow,
springtime falls and we must go,
Rain am Lech falls,
show them what we're of!

Cross the Lech 'neath a smokescreen,
Sweden's got a winning team!
Dies Irae, Requiem,
now Tilly's dead, what of them?
Entering Bavaria,
maypoles and barbarians!
Austria next? Kaiser's vexed!
Trouble brews ahead oh yeah...

WE DIDN'T STOP THE RINGSTETTENS,
they were always earning
medals for their yearning...
WE DIDN'T STOP THE RINGSTETTENS,
no we didn't slight them,
but we tried to fight them...

Albrecht von Wallenstein!
Life and death are on the line!
Alte Veste, Kurtius dies,
restrain the urge to cry!
Burn the fort, north retreat,
Swedish army's first defeat!
Stark weather, autumn lea...
Doomsday-bound for Saxony...

Royal couple reunite,
her dreams are not so bright...
Winter quarters at Lützen,
is Wallenstein a nogo?
Liselotte just confessed...
Winter wedding to be blessed?
Bleak November fog and cold...
There's a confrontation told!!

WE DIDN'T STOP THE RINGSTETTENS,
they were always earning
medals for their yearning...
WE DIDN'T STOP THE RINGSTETTENS,
no we didn't slight them,
but we tried to fight them...

Pappenheim got summoned,
fighting in a strange land;
Lützen bei Leipzig
imperialist invasion,
Wallenstein in his sedan,
getting the lay of the land...
King of Sweden lost his track
then got shot in the back...
More gunshots, Gustavus dead!
Everyone is filled with dread!
Pappenheim, too, blown away;
what else do we have to say?

WE DIDN'T STOP THE RINGSTETTENS,
they were always earning
medals for their yearning...
WE DIDN'T STOP THE RINGSTETTENS,
no we didn't slight them,
but we tried to fight them...

Breitenfeld winter to spend,
Wallenstein is back again,
Christmas Marketplace,
Othello, selling lace...
Friedland, freed land, springtime bride,
terror and defeat in stride;
Alois is in Friedland,
violence spirals out of hand...

Queen Christina's on the throne,
Wallenstein's no power to own...
What could help his astral art
'gainst a stab to the heart?
Setting sail from Stralsund's shore, 
wishing for this life no more...
twenty-something years of war,
I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!

WE DIDN'T STOP THE RINGSTETTENS,
they were always earning
medals for their yearning...
WE DIDN'T STOP THE RINGSTETTENS,
BUT WHEN THEY ARE GONE,
THIS WILL STILL GO ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON...

WARFARE IN SOME INTERBELLUM KIDLIT

WARFARE IN SOME INTERBELLUM KIDLIT:

THE INFLUENCE OF THE GREAT WAR AND THE LINGERING OF POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE

PATAPOUFS & FILIFERS, André Maurois - France

The Patapoufs are a kingdom of hefty bons-vivants, while the Filifers are a republic of slender curmudgeons. These two Ruritanian nations are constantly at each others' throats; the focus of the novel is a trench war between them, the casus belli being the usual border dispute...

One can see this as counterpart cultures with a conflict counterpart and all; stereotypical French vs. stereotypical Germans, with either the respective associated forms of government, or respective national characters, reversed; giving French-like Germans and German-like French as a result. Which also establishes that these two Ruritanias are not so different at the end of the day.

A cyanotic Patapouf officer suffocates to death stuck in a Filifer trench.

"LA MORT GLORIEUSE DU COMMANDANT TRIPOUF"

The war winds up bringing both people together: soldiers marry maidens from enemy country across both fronts, and not only does this event bring peace to the lands: Patapoufs become more disciplined and physically fit, while sweetshops are finally legalized in Filifer country. Which can be read as both a pacifist message and an anticipation of the European Union.

Originally published in the inter-war years, Fattypuffs and Thinifers simultaneously offers comment on the Great War and a warning of the war that was yet to come. It is also remarkably fresh and very funny.

This version is illustrated by Kristyna Lytten, who says:

What did you want to bring to the book?

I think my main concern was to complement the feel of the book. I wanted to inject my style into the characters, but also not stray too far from Wegner's illustrations either. So that the characters are relatable with what the reader sees inside. I think the book is really character orientated too. I love that, and so really wanted them to to be a real focus on my design. I hope I did that, and I think our Fattypuff King (Plumpapuff) particularly makes a real impact with his royal red uniform, decorated with tassels and medals.

What opportunities do the two contrasting nations offer the illustrator?

Its a real play on opposites. flamboyant and sleek, bubbly round shapes and sharp, pointy shapes. Fat, thin, short and tall. You can really go wild with the design of everything that features in the contrasting worlds. from the more obvious houses and furniture to glasses and food. You can see how Wegner has done this and pushed it to the extreme. I had great fun exploring this in my research sketches.

KRÓL MACIUS PIERWSZY - Janusz Korczak, Poland

An orphan prince inherits the throne as a pre-teen and has lots of adventures. The first one involves sneaking to the war front, posing as a midget naked Tomek, but ultimately gets a nom de guerre that translates to Oakpuller.

The story takes place in Macius's homeland, a Ruritanian kingdom that is obviously a counterpart of Poland (then a republic in the interbellum period), at war simultaneously with counterpart Austria, Prussia, and Russia.

Excerpt from Korczak's novel "King Matt"

The following excerpt is taken from Korczak's novel "King Matt" which is a must as a reader. Looking forward to more peaceful days and times. 

Matt made it the rest of the way without any more problems and then told the lieutenant about everything he had seen. The lieutenant immediately telephoned the artillery. They didn’t waste a second and began firing on the enemy’s ammunition dump right away. The first twelve shots missed, but there was no question about the thirteenth. The ammunition kept exploding until the whole sky was red, and there was so much smoke you couldn’t breathe.

Pandemonium broke out in the enemy’s trenches. The lieutenant lifted Matt up in the air and said three times
“What a kid, what a kid, what a kid"

Now the soldiers loved him even more, because the division was awarded a whole keg of vodka. And because the enemy now had no powder, they could sleep for three days in peace. And now the lieutenant said they could even leave the trenches for a short while and stretch a little. Meanwhile, the enemy had to stay in their trenches, and they were furious, because they couldn’t do anything.

Principi, principesse e ragazze virili

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La regina delle nevi 

by francesca matteoni • 3 Dicembre 2014

nella versione quasi fedele di Viviana Scarinci

Molto spesso nelle favole di Andersen, come nelle favole di molti altri narratori, c’è qualcosa di importantissimo da recuperare. Qualcosa che forse neanche c’era stato segnalato all’inizio della storia ma che sappiamo comunque perduto e che può anche non essere evidente. Lo intuiamo, ma non è chiaro in che modo sia la causa di tutto. Ne Il brutto anatroccolo ad esempio ciò che il pulcino ha perso prima dell’inizio della storia è la specie cui appartiene, e noi, come lui non lo sappiamo fino alla fine, grazie alla magistrale tessitura in cui Andersen, come se fossimo quel pulcino, ci impiglia facendoci patire lo stesso smarrimento del protagonista, il quale non trova la sua identità, e insieme a quella, il suo bene, in nessuna circostanza che il destino gli propone.

Intermezzo

... le racconta di un giovanotto ... che ha appena sposato la principessa presso cui la sua fidanzata ... è a servizio.

... come dimostrerà l’atteggiamento diversamente felice con cui Andersen ritrae la vera principessa che abita la prossima porzione di storia, ma non di meno la nostra è portatrice di uno spirito così alato che la renderà capace di percorrere quello che degli altri è il mondo più segreto: i loro sogni.

Principi, principesse e ragazze virili

... il ragazzo che ha sposato, ..., la più intelligente delle principesse disponibili sul mercato delle fiabe,  ...? A differenza di quel che si dice in giro, non è che ci sia tutta questa disponibilità di vere principesse .... Possibile che .... avesse trovato quel favoloso connubio di intelligenza e nobiltà in una donna, e che ciò lo avesse reso principe?

... condotta furtivamente nei pressi della stanza più segreta del castello che custodisce il talamo dei neosposi, ... deve attraversare uno  strano e popolato corridoio, prima di entrare nella camera da letto. Sono i sogni degli sposi a popolare quel corridoio limitrofo al sonno: cavalli purosangue, cacce, dame, cavalieri da cui .... .... E infatti principe e principessa erano solamente principe e principessa: due giovani gentili e generosi che quando seppero, invece di cacciare a pedate quella strana ragazza  che si era introdotta nottetempo nei loro sogni, la rivestirono di tutto punto e le regalarono una carrozza per andare dove volesse, e ai ..., ritennero giusto restituire pari libertà.

Ma ... il nuovo apparecchiamento principesco non è destinato a durare molto. Appena fatta un po’ di strada la nostra subì un’imboscata da parte di briganti che però qui somigliano, invece che a manigoldi d’altri tempi, a orchi, anzi a orchesse. Infatti la più scatenata, quella che subito propone alla banda di fare fuori ... per impadronirsi di tutto quel ben di Dio che le avevano donato i principi, è una vecchia brigantessa barbuta che ha per figlia una ragazza assai virile. É il vero capo della banda. Per la verità la ragazza virile è un personaggio molto affascinante, forse il più fascinoso di tutti. Sembra una ragazza viziata e prepotente ma presto vedremo che l’autorità che Andersen le accorda non le arriva dalle sue velleità intimidatorie, né dall’essere figlia di un’orchessa che stravede per lei.

Subito, con prepotenza maschile della peggior specie, la ragazza precisa alla banda, madre compresa, ... che quindi solo lei può farne quello che vuole. Del resto la fanciulla virile ama così, e lo dimostra ... trattandola come tutto l’esercito di animali piccoli e grandi che tiene imprigionati, qualcuno rinchiuso, qualcun altro recluso per mezzo soltanto del terrore che incute. É il caso di una bellissima renna lappone finita chissà per quale oscura via in mano a  quella ragazza.

Uno degli aspetti più avvincenti di questa bambina animale, figlia di briganti, è una forma di rapacità totalmente innata che trapela dal suo essere, che se da una parte la rende un personaggio non spendibile in termini di civiltà e decenza, dall’altra la partecipa di un istinto acuminato rivolto egualmente a cose, animali e persone che, insieme a una sincera sfrenatezza, la fa apparire un personaggio davvero  portentoso, quanto regine seppur delle nevi e principesse, non si sognerebbero neppure.

....

… e vissero tutti più o meno felici e contenti

 Si viene a sapere .... Che principe e principessa, dopo l’incontro con la nostra eroina, hanno preso la via del mondo, probabilmente stufi di una favola che li voleva così banalmente buoni e belli. .... Ma più di tutti è la ragazza virile che, finalmente diventata l’avventuriera generosa e solitaria che ci aspettavamo, con una frase lapidaria ..., dice quasi tutto ciò che resta da dire: “Vorrei sapere se lo meriti, che una corra fino alla fine del mondo per te!”

The Tale of Alexander Hamilton

The Tale of Alexander Hamilton

An old tale that recounts Alexander's brushes with Death himself...

Notes:

I quote the Tale of Three Brothers a lot. I hope no one minds.

There was once a boy living in the Caribbean who went by the name Alexander Hamilton. Many trials he had already faced, even only as a child. His father had left and his mother had died, leaving him alone to face poverty and hardship. However, Alexander was learned in the magical arts, and he was also of strong-will and stubbornness, so he had managed to survive over all those years.

The day came when Alexander was to leave the Caribbean on a ship bound for North America. He had just reached the docks when he found his path blocked by a hooded figure.

And Death spoke to him. He was angry that he had been cheated out of a victim, for there would have been nothing left to do for someone less astute. But Death was cunning. He pretended to congratulate Alexander upon his magic, and said that he would offer not one, but three prizes for having been clever enough to evade him.

Alexander gave Death's offer great thought, and finally, he decided on three gifts. His first request was for the power to recall others from Death. So Death picked up a piece of wood from the dock and of it fashioned a pencil. He gave it to Alexander and told him that the pencil would have the power to bring back the dead.

The boy's second request was for a wand more powerful than any in existence: a wand that must always win duels for its owner, a wand worthy of a boy who could rewrite the game! So Death, again, swept up a piece of wood from the dock and this time fashioned a wand for Alexander.

The third and last wish was for something that would enable him to go forth without being followed by Death. Alexander did not quite trust him, so he needed something to protect himself. And Death, most unwillingly, handed over his own Cloak of Invisibility.

Then Death stood aside and allowed Alexander to board the ship. Alexander stowed away his first two gifts, but the Cloak, he slipped over his head, and then he continued on his way.

Years passed, and Alexander grew from a boy to a man; he made many friends and a reputation in his land. His Cloak of Invisibility always came with him wherever he went, but the other two lay forgotten in his bag.

One day, Alexander received a letter that broke his heart and put him in despair. Grief-ridden, he took out the pencil he had received from Death and scrawled a name thrice upon the parchment. To his amazement and his delight, the figure of the man the letter had spoken of who had been killed in gunfire appeared at once before him. The name Alexander had written, John Laurens, belonged to the figure.

Yet John was silent and cold, separated from Alexander as though by a veil. Though he had returned to the mortal world, he did not truly belong there and suffered. Driven almost mad and longing to reunite with his best friend and lover, Alexander would have killed himself if he had not seen how John looked at him sadly. After bidding goodbye, Alexander burned the parchment along with Death's pencil, and John disappeared with a final smile.

More time passed, and Alexander grew older and more reckless. He lost another friend, Aaron Burr, not to Death, but to anger. Burr challenged Alexander to a duel,  and Alexander half-heartedly found his unbeatable wand. But he did not wish to kill his friend. Instead, he aimed his wand to the sky, and Burr's curse found him. Alexander snapped the wand in his hand, wondering why he had wished for it in the first place.

Before Alexander died, he took his Cloak of Invisibility and gave it to his loving wife, Eliza, wishing that she would use it more than he did. Eliza promised that she would wear it, and think of him every second she did. Alexander greeted Death as an old friend, and went with hm gladly, and, as equals, they departed this life.

LAVENDARUMA

https://rorymuses.wordpress.com/2020/07/12/healin-good-%e2%99%a1-precure-episode-15-lavendaruma/
https://www.angryanimebitches.com/2020/07/healin-good-precure-episode-15/

THE PRECURES' PRECURSOR

https://rorymuses.wordpress.com/2020/07/05/healin-good-%e2%99%a1-precure-episode-14-happiness-power/
https://www.angryanimebitches.com/2020/07/healin-good-precure-episode-14/

La petite fille des brigands (le carrosse) - C'est l'heure des contes... illustrés

5ème partie de "La Reine des Neiges" : "La Petite fille des Brigands".

..., rencontre sur son chemin une bande de bandits de chemin et croit ses derniers jours venus. Mais, ces brigands, qui sont-ils vraiment ? Pourraient-ils ...aider ...?

C’est l’heure des contes ….illustrés

La Reine des Neiges
Cinquième Histoire : La petite fille des brigands 

Hans Christian Andersen 

Traducteur inconnu

Philippe Schumacher (édition)

(A partir de 6 ans – 11’45)

On roulait à travers la sombre forêt et le carrosse luisait comme un flambeau. Des brigands qui se trouvaient là en eurent les yeux blessés, ils ne pouvaient le supporter. 

- De l’or ! de l’or ! criaient-ils. 

S’élançant à la tête des chevaux, ils massacrèrent les petits postillons, le cocher et les valets ...

...

- Je veux monter dans le carrosse, dit la petit fille des brigands. 

Et il fallut en passer par là où elle voulait, elle était si gâtée et si difficile. 

Elle s’assit ... et la voiture repartit par-dessus les souches et les broussailles plus profondément dans la forêt.

...

Le carrosse s’arrêta, elles étaient au milieu de la cour d’un château de brigands, tout lézardé de haut en bas, des corbeaux, des corneilles s’envolaient de tous les trous et les grands bouledogues qui avaient, chacun, l’air capable d’avaler un homme, bondissaient mais n’aboyaient pas, cela leur était défendu. 

Dans la grande vieille salle noire de suie, brûlait sur le dallage de pierres un grand feu, la fumée montait vers le plafond et cherchait une issue, une grande marmite de soupe bouillait et sur les broches rôtissaient lièvres et lapins.

...
Les bandits étaient venus s’asseoir autour du feu, ils chantaient et buvaient et la vieille faisait des culbutes. ...