SAN DIEGO—Jealousy, feminism and nudity all were subjects upon which Hal Wingard pondered from time to time. Here we have a selection dealing with each of these themes in turn. For an index and audio links to other songs Hal wrote, click here.
To hear today's selections, click on the large underlined title above the song.

#233 -- Oh, Demon Jealousy
# 171 -- Liberated Lover
#209 -- Why Be Introvert?



#233, Oh, Demon Jealousy

Oh, demon jealousy,
Why can't you let me be?
I'm so possessive
And so obsessive
That no one dares love me.

What's there for me to do
To free myself of you?
Despite my trying
You keep denying
The freedom I once knew.

I now have just one goal:
To free my jealous soul.
With such incentive
I'll be inventive
To gain back self-control.

A saint is what I'll be,
Completely jealous free.
And it's ironic,
'Though you're demonic,
That you'll be jealous of me.
Jealous of me.

(c) 2009 Estate of Hal Wingard; July 8, 1993. Words written July 8, 1993, inspired by a melody created several days before.


#171, Liberated Lover

My thoughts are all a dither.
My heart is all aglow.
Oh, dearest, how I marvel
At all the things you know!
You always speak in wisdom
That sparkles with your wit.
And when you make decisions,
You don't debate a bit.

Oh, liberated lover,
My queen of intellects,
You've got a mind that matters,
That ev'ry man respects.

Whenever there's a problem,
You're first to find the cause.
You quickly see solutions
That have the fewest flaws.
You organize for action,
Tell others what to do.
No wonder, then, my sweetheart,
That I'm in love with you.

Oh, liberated lover,
My queen of intellects,
You've got a mind that matters,
That ev'ry man respects.

It's easy to admit it:
I've fallen for your mind.
Oh, you're a thorough thinker,
The best of womankind.

Go to the top of right column

Of all I'd want in woman,
Of all you're symbol of,
I'd never want your body
To vulgarize my love.

Oh, liberated lover,
My queen of intellects,
You've got a mind that matters,
That leaves. . .no need. . .for sex.

(c) 2009 Estate of Hal Wingard; February 24, 1984,
words written February 23, 1984, while pizza-ing at San Fillipo's in San Diego.


#209, Why Be Introvert?

If you find your life is boring,
Then you need to go exploring
Where the San Diego River flows.
You will see some naked women,
And some naked men all swimmin.'
They'll be swimmin' there without their clothes.

Why be introvert?
Just peel off your shirt,
And join the river swimmin' brood.
Then with the naked women
And the naked men all swimmin'
You can swim the San Diego nude.

You can free your hesitation
Just by spending your vacation
On the highest Mt. Mc Kinley peak.
There you'll find a few old-timers
Who are seasoned nudist climbers,
Who will let you join their naked clique.

Why be introvert?
Just peel off your shirt,
Let your body feel the mountain air.
Then with the few old-timers
Who are seasoned nudist climbers
You'll be climbing Mt. Mc Kinley bare.

Here's another hint between us:
For a visit, try Bolinas,
Where a stable stands beside the sea.
You will rarely be arrested,
If you ride a horse bare-chested,
Or with bottom bouncing fancy free.

Why be introvert?
Just peel off your shirt,
And rent a bareback horse to ride.
You will rarely be arrested,
If you ride a horse bare-chested.
After all, you've nothing much to hide!

It's an easy adaptation,
If you have the inclination
To be doing things without your clothes.
To explain it with precision,
It is strictly your decision--
A decision no one can impose.

Why be introvert?
Just peel off your shirt,
And let your inhibitions go.
To explain it with precision
It is strictly your decision
Just how much of you you want to show.

(c) 2009 Estate of Hal Wingard; December 5, 1991, To the bare-breasted young lady riding the bare-backed horse in Bolinas
**
Hal Wingard died May 25, 2009 at age 83 in San Diego. He was an educator who specialized in methodologies for foreign language teaching and had served on the California State Curriculum Commission. His wife, Eileen, a retired symphony violinist and occasional contributor to San Diego Jewish World, survives him, along with three daughters and a son, their spouses and children.