Intellectual rude words

For many years I've struggled with the modern notion that art which is truly grown up has to include lots of rude words, swearing and general profanity. These days almost nothing can be taken seriously without wall to wall profanity (how did Dickens manage?) I've often been put in my place by people telling me that it reflects real life, shows artistic integrity and bravery. Which is strange cos when I was little we were told it was childish.

Anyway, my wife (of all people!) put me onto the fact that Flanders & Swann had already noticed this over 50 years ago, when such artistic freedom and wonderment was just starting to become trendy, and sang a jolly nice song that (I think) puts it in the right perspective.



And below are the words, so you can sing along (actually, don't sing along, just read, or you will become an artistic person of integrity by accident).


Pee Po Belly Bum Drawers

By Flanders and Swann

Ma's out, Pa's out, Let's talk rude!
Pee Po Belly Bum Drawers.
Dance round the garden in the nude,
Pee Po Belly Bum Drawers.
Let's write rude words all down our street,
Stick out our tongues at the people we meet,
Let's have an intellectual treat for
Pee Po Belly Bum Drawers.

Sunday again on CBC,
Pee Po Belly Bum Drawers.
And Norman Mailer's coming to tea,
Pee Po Belly Bum Pants!
Alan Ginsberg reads on and on,
But we're having a happening when he's gone,
Come to the party in the John,
Pee Po Belly Bum Drawers.

Disney's planning a double bill,
Pee Po Belly Bum Drawers.
Christopher Robin meets Fanny Hill,
Pooh Bear Belly Bum Drawers.
On stage and screen we all work hard,
Throwing toilet rolls in our own backyard,
Who's afraid of the avent garde?
Pee, Pee, Po, Po, Belly, Belly, Bum, Bum, Pee Po Belly Bum Drawers.

What gets prizes and wins awards?
Pee Po Belly Bum Drawers.
What did prince Phillip tell the Lords?
Well, never mind that.
At Oxford and Cambridge, and Yale and all,
At Berkely, they really have a ball,
'cos the higher the brow, the harder they fall,
Pee Po Belly Bum Drawers.