Sorry! Szmuness was a Polish ex-Soviet expert, not German. It's been awhile..

Anyway, Happy New Year, and PEACE!!!

DB

Also, Pat, here are the lyrics to the new song you heard last month. I wrote it for a film called "Matchstick Men", which should ostensibly be released late spring of this year. It's sort of a Django Reinhardt meets Nino Rota-type number, all jaunt and good cheer, grim historical asides aside.

db

Whatever It Takes

Sometimes it takes a terrible shake to make you change your mind sometimes a lazy summery day can make you change your mind sometimes life is a darkened room lit like an egyptian tomb for king tut’s sake do whatever it takes to change your mind

I gave a girl dollars diamonds and pearls but I could not change her mind we travelled the world in a glamorous whirl but I could not make her mine when my poor heart it finally broke a small voice inside me spoke said “for romeo’s sake, do whatever it takes to change your mind”

Old King Lear had a brilliant career so he never changed his mind then death came near and as truth grew clear he quickly lost his mind his faith he had placed in lies and those who loved him he despised for Shakespeare’s sake do whatever it takes to change your mind

Alcibiades attacked the Pelopponese- Ians, he had lost his mind Pericles said please youre motivated by greed but he would not change his mind and then came the Spartan hordes ran him right through with their swords for Thucydides’ sake do whatever it takes to change your mind

Goode King Jack lived ahead of the pack so he never changed his mind the boys out back said “youre gonna get whacked” but he would not change his mind and then from the grassy knoll all the fun’ral bells did toll for John-John’s sake do whatever it takes to change your mind