Re: Life is but a melancholy flower

"des" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> "Edgar De Blieck" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote i
> > No. I mean try and achieve the same humorous effect with different
lyrics.
>
> You mean the same humorous effect as
> "Life is but a melancholy flower"/"Life is but a melon cauliflower"?
>
> Maybe most posters aren't familiar with the gag, I wouldn't be if
> I hadn't read a particular mediocre novel some years ago.

Indeeeeed. But the gag does work, as I can testify from my own recent
experience of singing it along with a roomful of people, who laughed at the
"surprise" ending (life is but a melon / cauliflower). It was a European
night at the church, which ended with the community singing of songs with a
European theme, amongst which were Alouette, Tulips from Amsterdam and Frere
Jacques. When we sang the "life is but a" version, everyone managed to get
the lyrics to fit, and nobody took the trouble to count the syllables.

EDEB.

PS - surely someone has an effect similar?