Tooker, Le Monde à Bicyclette (Song)
Words and music by Mike Ford (ananda@interlog.com)
It has been released on an 8-song CD
that can be purchased at Maplemusic.com.
I took a bike ride yesterday and saw a funny world at play
I saw new bike lanes on a street, saw people and slowed down to greet
Green boxes next to blue and grey, posters for a car-free-day
Saw families without a trace of fear enjoying public space
Pedal power in full sway – I saw things in a different way
Le Monde à bicyclette. Le monde à bicyclette.
Tooker Gomberg never shied away from what had not been tried
With faithful friends there at his side he showed us we could turn the tide
On Adam’s Mine and Kyoto, and not go the way of the Dodo
Burnin’ passport declarations, buried car commemorations
Robin Hood through town he’d glide, inviting us along to ride
Le Monde à bicyclette. Le monde à bicyclette.
When the King of Furniture decreed his actions immature
Tooker took aim at his crown and threw the people’s gauntlet down
Which some folks called buffoonery – how accurate they proved to be!
For like the clowns of vielle Paris, his stock-in-trade was honesty
Sparking fires mirthfully to melt the ice of apathy
Le Monde à bicyclette. Le monde à bicyclette.
Sometimes statistics only bore ’em, so he perforated dull decorum
Energized the public forum – what else can one do but adore him?
Ask yourself and a make a list and for a spell unclench your fist
For laughter is an activist, look up now see through the mist
Conviction like a lightning flash, dispensed with humour and panache
Le Monde à bicyclette. Le monde à bicyclette.
I only saw him a couple o’ times in person where the tower chimes
Raging at the climate crimes, with horns a honkin’, words in rhyme
Or juggling by a tent for peace in frozen winter without cease
We wish for him eternal laughter, peace of mind in the hereafter
Inspirin’ him as he does we and may we all forever see
Le Monde à bicyclette. Le monde à bicyclette.