Language lyrics

Song information

Artist: Henry Rollins
Album: A Rollins In The Wry

Lyrics

So!
Being a fan of the use of language
Being a fan of english, um
I got this amazing letter from a fella named boris
And I wanted to read this to you
He's, he's from um, the czech republic
And I wanted to read you this quick letter by the cat because he's just amazing. and he wrote one of the greatest sentences I haveve ever read in my life and I very much want to share it with you. and I'm not trying to put the guy down, and I'm not saying 'oh he's dumb.' he's just a cat, he's trying to use english and it's not his language. you know, but he's getting by. like, how well do you get by in czech? right. help?!? you know, you say 'check, please!' but you can't get by in czech. this guy's struggling in english and he's making it! and he's, he is, he is avant. he is, he's bebop! check this guy out

This is 8/22/98 12:16 pm, los angeles, california
Boris checks in from the czech republic with this burning missive:

'Hello henry
I'm sorry for my english, but I understand english very little, thank you for your favour. my name is boris. have 24 years in right czech republic. you played in czech 2x. both concerts, they were splendid.'

Ok. check out this sentence

'On two concert, I'm shootive collective photo but small, fat, bald headed technologist be insane. '

Let's milk it shall we?

'On two concert, I'm shootive collective photo, but such small, fat, bald headed techologist be insane.'

In translation, I think he took his roll of film to rite aid and had a bad rite aid experience. and you've all had that experience in thrifty and rite aid where time seems to slow down. I think boris got his film fucked up by the technologist who must be whooooooo!, a bit insane

I go on

'I compilation all material for you and band. I would like to read of your some book, but don't publish in czech language. this book should be successful in czech republic.'

Sure

'I you for very much autograph or publicity material or answer in my letter. thanks a lot for it. I wish for you, band much power, health, and energy at further way music. goodbye in future concert in czech republic. boris'

The communique from boris makes me think of how great a feature-length movie with this use of language would be. could you imagine an intense courtroom drama with scowling, wildly gesticulating lawyers making a case for their clients, kicking it like boris? think of having the air flight attendent come on with an "english as a second language" message. 'for making landing immediate time incredibly, broken moving not now, stupid motor on flaming. I declaration emergency!'

[from http://lyrics.doheth.co.uk]

"A Rollins In The Wry" album track list