This is at least my third to this tune. I hope it doesn't start
charging me extra for the overuse.

Title: One More Lap
ttto: The Mary Ellen Carter by Stan Rogers

I started in the park a-walking for my exercise
I've got to get my weight down, and I thought this way was wise
I walk each loop and try to keep a good pace and a smile
And each loop's just a bit short of a mile

I'm old and fat, so I don't run, and daren't push too hard
My ankles might complain if they're too stressed from all my lard
But still a good fast walking pace should keep me from a sprain
And I'm going for one more lap, yet again

A half a mile to the loop and half a mile back
Three loops or four and I'll not get exertion heart attack
When I feel fit there is no problem; all I do is sweat
I feel good even if I do get wet

But some days it's a fight to motivate me out the door
I like to do this walking, but it's suddenly abhorred
I finish up one loop and think that I could just head home
No one would know 'cause I do this alone

Just one more, though I groan
I will not stop this soon, though I might bitch and moan
If I give up this early, I will ne'er get in the zone
And I've got to motivate me on my own

Once more around the loop and going home's still looking good
There's what I want to do compared to what I know I should
The loop's not flat, the uphill is midway along the route
If it were at the start, I know I'd scoot

But 'cause it starts with downhill, I can manage to be strong
I'll do that third loop like I knew I should do all along
I'll prove to me, if not to you, that I'm not quitting prone
And the walk back to my car I can postpone

Now I'm done, it feels right
Though my body is now logy, my mind and heart are light
It is just one small victory, and though it might seem slight
I know that I will not berate myself tonight

Look at me and take heart
Use me as an example when you need to do your part
You can outwit your instincts if you plan and you are smart
And when your own loop comes, think of me and start


My lyrics copyright 2021 by Arthur Tansky. License granted for
non-commercial, non-political archiving and performance as long as:
1. copyright notice is maintained, and
2. no money changes hands.

--
Arthur T. - ar23hur "at" pobox "dot" com

Guessing a lyricist's opinions from his songs is as futile as
guessing an author's opinions from his novels.

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On 3/21/2021 11:37 PM, Arthur T. wrote:

Title: One More Lap
ttto: The Mary Ellen Carter by Stan Rogers

Nicely done. Though this may deserve its own tune.

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In Message-ID:<s39429$3l7$1@dont-email.me>,
Joe Kesselman <keshlam.cat.nospam@verizon.net> wrote:

On 3/21/2021 11:37 PM, Arthur T. wrote:

Title: One More Lap
ttto: The Mary Ellen Carter by Stan Rogers

Nicely done. Though this may deserve its own tune.

Thank you. I don't compose, so *I* can't give it its own tune. And
this one suggested itself from these lines of the original:

Thank God it’s only sixty feet and the currents here are slow
Or I’d never have the strength to go below.

Coming up on the beginning of that third loop, I had that similar
thought that if it started with an uphill, I wouldn't have the
strength (of will) to continue.

The song isn't fully accurate. I'm not obese and my ankles are strong
enough that I could run. But the distances and the one-time (I hope
it stays one time) test of will to do that third loop match reality.

--
Arthur T. - ar23hur "at" pobox "dot" com

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