Anniversary issue: The sentimental hoarder

Humble baroque

My coat of many colors That my mama made for me Made only from rags But I wore it so proudly Although we had no money
Well, I was rich as I could be In my coat of many colours
My mama made for me 

– Dolly Parton, 1971

obsessive excess

Or does that sound too greedy?

That’s not greed, no, indeedy
That’s just stocking the store

Gotta fill your cupboard, Remember Mother Hubbard!

– Stephen Sondhem, 1990

magpie

Chhoti si chokri laalbai naam hai,
Pehne woh ghaghra, ek paisa daam hai

Munh mein sabke aag lagaye aata hai rulana, Ichak dana

– Hasrat Jaipuri for Shree 420, 1955

singular…

I’ll get over you, I know I will
I’ll pretend my ship’s not sinking

And I’ll tell myself I’m over you
‘Cause I’m the king of wishful thinking

– Peter Cox, Richard Drummie and Martin Page, 1990

discerning nomad

Every day’s an endless stream
Of cigarettes and magazines

And each town looks the same to me
The movies and the factories

And every stranger’s face I see
Reminds me that I long to be
Homeward bound

– Paul Simon, 1966

chaotic harmony

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality
Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see

– Freddie Mercury, 1975