I was going through some old images the other day and for some reason I always settle on this image shown here, an old piece from my earliest painting efforts over twenty years back. I call it The Incantation. At that moment a news station was on the TV, with its incessant and seemingly never-ending coverage of the presidential primaries.
So much is said yet there seems to be so little substance in it that it turns into just words uttered.
Nonsense or an incantation, of sorts.
In my mind, the connection was made between this image and the song below, Hoodoo Voodoo from Billy Bragg and Wilco, based on unpublished lyrics from Woody Guthrie. Guthrie had several songs with nonsensical lyrics, often written for his children. I like this version– it spans that gap nicely between nonsense and incantation.
Actually, I think Sarah Palin quoted many parts of this song verbatim during some of her speeches, most notably her recent ones while stumping for Donald Trump. As I said: nonsense and incantation.
Give a listen and read along. Hopefully the next time you’re held under a spell cast by the talking heads on one of the news networks, this song will start playing in your mind. Nonsense is the only defense against their incantations.
Hoodoo voodoo, seven twenty one two
Haystacka hostacka, ABC
High poker, low joker, ninety-nine-a-zero
Sidewalk, streetcar, dance a goofy dance
Blackbirdy, bluejay, one, two, three, four
Trash sack, jump back, EFG
Biggy hat, little hat, fatty man, skinny man
Grasshopper greensnake, hold my hand
Hoodoo voodoo, chooka-chooky-choo-choo
True blue, how true, kissle me now
Momma cat, Tommy cat, diapers on my clothes line
Two, four, six, eight, I run and hide
Pretty girl, pretty boy, pony on a tin can
I’ll be yours, you’ll be mine
Hoodoo voodoo, chooka-chooky-choo-choo
True blue, how true, kissle me now
Jinga jangler, tinga lingle, picture on a bricky wall
Hot and scamper, foamy lather, huggle me close
Hot breeze, old cheese, slicky slacky fishy tails
Brush my hair, kissle me some more
Hoodoo voodoo, chooka chooky choo choo
True blue, how true, kissle me now
Hoodoo voodoo, chooka chooky choo choo
True blue, how true, kissle me now
Kissle me now
Brush my hair
And kissle me some more
Kissle me some more
Kissle me some more
