Final Word — Daily Absurdist

Jan 31

Jan 31 Final Word

Daily Absurdist

Movies

"Always look on the right side of life,

[whistle]

For life is quite absurd

And death's the final word.

You must always face the curtain with a bow."

-Always Look on the Bright Side of Life lyrics, Monty Python's The Life of Brian, Lyrics by Eric Idle

Building on the last post about music. I can’t help but think of the final song in Monty Python’s Life of Brian (LoB) Wikipedia. It’s not just catchy, it also directly calls out the Absurdity of life. Monty Python is one of those groups that has both absurd and Absurd elements. Which makes it tricky to navigate for what I’m trying to do here. The absurd (random silliness) is one of the things I like about them, but they do hit at a lot of “deep” topics throughout their comedy. In America the very absurd movie Monty Python And The Holy Grail (HG) Amazon Wikipedia tends to be most favored of their works. I definitely was more familiar with HG as a kid than LoB, although I spent a lot of time watching the series and other movies. It might have something to do with the “sacrilege” more apparent in the cover and description, than the other works. Either way I first watched it as a teen while living in German, where it is definitely the favorite. At a recent showing of HG including a Q&A with John Cleese after that I attended, he also mentioned he found it odd that HG is so popular in America, while his and the rest of the world’s favorite tends to be LoB. Might need to look into this some more.

Either way, it’s a great song, and even though the whole things is an Absurdist manifesto of sorts, I chose the part that directly calls it out. I included the whole lyrics below, compliments of Google. I also found a few links and videos about it where he discusses it, and does a sing along. It’s worth it. He doesn’t outright call out an Absurd influence in his video and I’ve not read his book yet, but it’s definitely on my list now. I think the top comment on the YouTube video “I want this played at my crucifixion.” Is pretty telling. I would tend to agree. If I have to pick a song while going to my demise, this is definitely on the playlist.

-DA

Life of Brian on DVD Amazon link I couldn’t find a legit streaming version. I have it on DVD, so haven’t had the need in the past. But I was surprised that it wasn’t.

Eric Idle explains his inspiration and process in a late 2018 video here: Eric Idle talks about the inspiration behind his hit song “Always Look On the Bright Side of Life”

His book: Always Look on the Bright Side of Life https://amzn.to/2Xq2aMe

Here’s the complete Song, and an “official” sing-along version (at least on the official Monty Python’s YouTube) Always Look on the Bright Side of Life Sing-Along — Monty Python

Complete Lyrics via Google:

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

Monty Python

Some things in life are bad,

They can really make you mad,

Other things just make you swear and curse,

When you’re chewing life’s gristle,

Don’t grumble,

Give a whistle

And this’ll help things turn out for the best.

And…

Always look on the bright side of life.

[whistle]

Always look on the light side of life.

[whistle]

If life seems jolly rotten,

There’s something you’ve forgotten,

And that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing.

When you’re feeling in the dumps,

Don’t be silly chumps.

Just purse your lips and whistle.

That’s the thing.

And…

Always look on the bright side of life.

[whistle]

Always look on the right side of life,

[whistle]

For life is quite absurd

And death’s the final word.

You must always face the curtain with a bow.

Forget about your sin.

Give the audience a grin.

Enjoy it. It’s your last chance, anyhow.

So, …

Always look on the bright side of death,

[whistle]

Just before you draw your terminal breath.

[whistle]

Life’s a piece of shit,

When you look at it.

Life’s a laugh and death’s a joke it’s true.

You’ll see it’s all a show.

Keep ’em laughing as you go.

Just remember that the last laugh is on you.

And…

Always look on the bright side of life.

Always look on the right side of life.

[whistle]