The Barn by Ralph Hagen for June 14, 2021

Please say it’s not about the Hokey Pokey.

…and you shake it all about…

“Here, 6000 years of recorded history, a history that includes remarkable composers, astonishing symphonies, but what is the one song that half of them sing to their children generation after generation?

You put your right hand in

You put your right hand out

You put your whole self in

And you turn yourself about

You do the hokey pokey

You give a little shout

That’s what it’s all about

It doesn’t mean anything. I have been studying it for seven days, I had the computer analyse it. I swear to you it does not mean a thing!"

- Londo

The hokey cow pokey.

Simon says, put a muzzle on Rory! Baaaaad idea?

I always thought it was this…

Sure, Stan. I can tell you what it’s all about.

Lights please. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field… keeping their watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the lord came upon them… and the glory of the Lord shone round about them… and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them: “Fear not, for behold I bring you tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David… a savior, which is Christ the lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in the manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel… a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

That’s what it’s all about, Stan.

But, what’s the first thing you know? (Ol’ Jeb’s a millionaire, LOL)

St. George-of-the-Seven-Words, c. 1783

But … what if “The Hokey Pokey” really IS what it’s all about?

As good as any other answer.

Alfie never figured it out.

the hokey-pokey – what’s life’s all about… without the religious connotations.

With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at this moment, it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person which almost went unnoticed. Larry LaPrise, the man who wrote “The Hokey Pokey”, died peacefully at age 93. The family planned a simple service. Things were going smoothly until the undertaker began putting him into the coffin. He put his left leg in…. then the trouble started.

Never thought of it before, but the hokey pokey is where they ought to lock that sheep up.

That’s what it’s all about, folks!