SAN DIEGO–Hal's daughter Harriet writes: "Here are the last three of the secular year.  During this time of vacation and holidays, here are three sides of work... " To hear previously published songs by Hal, please click here. To hear this week's selections, please click on the title above the lyrics.

#175 -- The Only Work I'll Do
#144 -- On Keeping Work Away
#249 -- Another Day

#175, The Only Work I'll Do

I've lost the will to work the day,
To sweat and toil my life away.
     I'd be insane
     To bear the pain
And lose a little chance to play.

In youth I must have gone bersirk,
For never did I think to shirk
     A single task
     Or even ask
Why I always chose to work.

But I've matured, and now I've learned
A candle length when it is burned
     Is always less
     Than one may guess.
What's gone can never be returned.

So work and I have filed divorce.
The world can find some other source
     Of human tool
     And working fool,
Plodding like an old plough horse.

Instead I'll loaf my time away,
Lounge around to pass the day.
     I'll snooze, then rest,
     And--as you've guessed--
The only work I'll do. . .
You know that it is true. . .
The only work I'll do. . .is play!

(c) Estate of Hal Wingard; To Hal--on his retirement, November 15, 1984.Words completed at Milano, a pizza parlor in San Francisco on 9th Avenue between Judah and Irving.



#144, On Keeping Work Away


  
     When we relax
     We break our backs
In keeping Work away.
     But why have fears
     When Work appears?
We ought to let it stay.
     For Work's a friend
     And in the end
Deserves to be our guest.
     Let's ask Work in
     And then begin
To offer Work our best.

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    A brandy fine,
     An ancient wine,
A happy, hearty toast!
     A candle mood,
     With lots of food,
And we, the perfect host.
     When dinner's done,
     We'll have some fun
By strolling on the lawn,
     Discussing news
     And diff'ring views
"Til Work begins to yawn

  We'll bring a chair
     Of old mohair--
A couch that's soft and deep.
     Then we'll suggest
     That Work should rest
And maybe fall asleep.
     To be polite,
     It's only right
To leave tired Work to snooze,
     While we relax
     And nibble snacks
And finish off the booze.

     So let's relax
     And nibble snacks
And give ourselves to play.
     With Work as guest
     We all can rest
And let Work sleep away.

(c) Estate of Hal Wingard, April 15, 1982       

#249, Another Day

I spend my days at painful work.
I'm tied to tasks I cannot shirk.
The stress and strain refuse to cease.
No wonder then I seek release.

At five I leave my work behind.
I head for home, where I unwind.
I settle down in easy chair
And dream that I'm a millionaire.

With TV on and night time near,
I open up a can of beer.
I feel my troubles slip away
As I survive another day.
Another day.

(c) Estate of Hal Wingard, April 8, 1996. Words written April 7 & 8, 1996, at home.

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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.
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