I love this semester. I love everything I am learning, and everything I am doing. I wake up full of excitement about the satisfying work God has put before me, and I have to force myself to go to bed because I can’t get enough of it.
There’s a lot going on... taking classes, teaching, writing, working with Gemma to try to further the fortunes of our musical. But if I could convey the feel of the upbeat, grateful mood I am in lately, I believe it would be encapsulated in the following parody.
My rendition of this number is here:
"I Am the Very Model of a Biblical Philologist" on YouTube. Buy the single on iTunes soon!
This recording is just about as pure an expression of silly, bubbly joy as I know how to produce.
I Am the Very Model of a Biblical Philologist
lyrics by Joshua Tyra
with deference due to William S. Gilbert
(PROFESSOR PHILOMATHES revealed at his desk surrounded by mountains of books)
PROFESSOR PHILOMATHES
I am the very model of a biblical philologist.
I’m quite the Semitician and a passing Hittitologist.
My articles are free from all grammatical iniquity.
I rank Semitic cognates in their order of propinquity.
I am very well acquainted, too, with matters exegetical.
I side with all the orthodox, and censure the heretical.
In print, I wrinkle brows of any liberal who wrinkles mine,
(bothered for a rhyme)
Wrinkles mine, wrinkles mine... got it!
And counter all the theses of that vigilante Finkelstein!
Then I can give a lecture on the logic of Leviticus
And tell you every symbol in the apparatus criticus.
In short, in matters lexical, semantic, and homologous,
I am the very model of a biblical philologist!
I know my St. Jerome and all his Vulgate Prolegomena.
I’ve memorized, in order, all the known hapax legomena!
Then I can tell the age of every patriarch in Genesis
And tell the daghesh fortés from the shureqs and the lenéses.
I dream in Aramaic and interpret it in Syriac.
I’ve posited that Esau was a possible porphyriac.
Then I can parse at sight a polal, hithpolal or hishtaphel
(bothered for a rhyme)
Hishtaphel, hishtaphel... oh, that’s a hard one... got it!
And topple any argument it happens that I wish to fell!
Then I can date a sample of Arabian calligraphy
And tell you what the scribe was wearing, based on the epigraphy!
In short, in matters lexical, semantic, and homologous,
I am the very model of a biblical philologist!
Then I can write a shopping list in classical Sumerian,
And tell you whether peoples were nomadic or agrarian.
I know the Jewish festivals, Purimic and Kippurian.
I mumble in Mandaic, I can hum a little Hurrian.
Then I can sing the alphabet in Hieroglyphic Luwian,
And catalogue the animals, both pre- and postdiluvian.
Then I can tell a surplice from a chasuble or maniple.
(bothered for a rhyme)
Maniple, maniple... got it!
And reconstruct the library of ancient Assurbanipal.
I wrote my dissertation in a flowery Akkadian
And proved the Philistines were almost certainly Canadian.
In short, in matters lexical, semantic, and homologous,
I am the very model of a biblical philologist!
That was terrific! I'm glad to hear that you are doing well and are enjoying this semester.
ReplyDeleteI've got to share this with some professors and friends! -- Alex S.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing, Josh Tyra....
ReplyDeleteWow! I thought there was something sinister about those Canadians. Tickled by the humor and awed by the talent. elj
ReplyDeleteWhew! The convulsions of laughter have finally subsided enough that I can say . . . GREAT JOB, JOSH! (pant, pant, pant)
ReplyDeleteDidn't know there was a rapper hidden deep inside of Josh Tyra.
ReplyDeleteLots of laughs. Lol. Glad to know you are difinitely where You are meant to be. Praise God.
By the way what is a phililogist I'm from Alabamie-(ain't got educated) does it have to do with studying people from Phily? Lol Have a great day Steve Rice
Your talent and giftings are extraordinary! I'm so glad to hear from you. Diana Hoaglan
ReplyDeleteOh. my. gosh. Josh, you're a genius (but I knew that already). Simply splendid. :-)
ReplyDeletethis is my favorite line 'Then I can write a shopping list in classical Sumerian, And tell you whether peoples were nomadic or agrarian.'
ReplyDeleteYou are clever as ever, Josh! And I just got an English vocabulary lesson ;)
Thank you for sharing this very creative Penzance parody with us! Far more entertaining than the entire 12-minute halftime show at the Superbowl this past Sunday! I'm hoping you'll post a YouTube version some day!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! -Scott Booth
ReplyDeleteWhoa! Wait a minute! I need my dictionary for some of this. Cool, Josh! And I agree with G.M. Grena about the halftime show! And I'll add that it was one of the dumbest things I've seen in a long while!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear of your excitement with what God is doing with you. I think of you and pray for you. Love Kristy
Josh, I'm just glad to know you. We miss you here at second. God Speed!
ReplyDeletewarren J
Wow, Josh Tyra! You are so talented. I already knew that, of course, but wanted to say it out loud :-) That was terrific. Reminds me of the musical days back in high school.
ReplyDeleteThat was brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI ran across your blog googling the term "King David Drooled," and found it to be absolutely delightful. Your writing made me giggle to the nines- so awesome! Thank you for shining your light and being yourself- it amazes me how accomplished some people are when involved in passions they love.
ReplyDeleteFrom an anonymous wanderer!
I wish you the best,
In Christ, prayers,
Sarah
An audio performance of this has gone viral on facebook. Lots of people are commenting on what a brilliant piece of work it is. An impressive parody of Gilbert.
ReplyDeleteoh my word Josh! I DIED at this!
ReplyDeleteIs that from The Papyrus of Penance by Gunkel and Schökel?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely brilliant and hilarious. Gilbert himself would have been proud to have written it.
ReplyDeleteLawrence Kaplan
Terrific. One flaw: homologous - consider 'logomachist', for instance ?
ReplyDeleteHi Joshua - I'm writing from St. Louis, MO. Our church is having a Missions Talent Show Fundraiser and we thought it would be hilarious to have 2 of our pastors present your youtube version of "I Am the Very Model of a Biblical Philologist." May we have permission to do so? Thanks for considering this request! Wendy
ReplyDeleteWe're not worthy ...
ReplyDeleteWe're not worthy ...
BTW, saw in your Youtube version where you sneaked in an illo of the untranslated Phaistos Disc. :)
Lurker111
Awesome post share I say thanks to share this impressive post.Keep it.Wheel straightening tool We`ve been in the automotive industry for the past 20 years.
ReplyDeleteThis is really great information found here, I really like your blog. Thanks very much for the share. Keep posting.
ReplyDelete_________________________
Online Branded Shoes in Qatar
Sell your house especially if you've never done it before can be surprisingly time-consuming and emotionally challenging. It will not only ensure your property is sold faster, but can potentially add thousands of pounds to its value .Give your house the wow factor and sell fast. This Blog is very nice.
ReplyDeleteThings are very open and intensely clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very beneficial . Simply Lawns and Landscapes
ReplyDeletePleasant post and right to the point. I am not certain if this is really the best place to ask however do you parents have any ideea where to contract some expert scholars? Much obliged ahead of time.Apartment for rent McAllen
ReplyDeleteIf you apply these kinds of methods for increasing traffic on your own webpage, I am sure you will notice the change in few days.
ReplyDeleteEarn money
I’m gone to tell my little brother, that he should also pay a quick visit this webpage on regular basis to obtain updated from most recent news.
ReplyDeleteAdventure experiences
What a material of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable familiarity on the topic of unpredicted feelings.
ReplyDeleteRegalos de boda
These are in fact wonderful ideas in about blogging. You have touched some good points here. Any way keep up wrinting.
ReplyDeleteBest sleeping bag
Wow! I am mainly surprised by way you use uniqueness with almost every single detail. It might become genuine heading to aid me a great offer. Thank you for sharing your suggestions.
ReplyDeleteVillas for sale algarve portugal
Nowadays YouTube videos quality is more better and improved, so that’s the cause that I am watching this video at at this place. Honda car test drive in Thane
ReplyDeleteIt’s going to be finish of mine day, except before end I am reading this enormous paragraph to improve my knowledge.
ReplyDeleteBbw dating
Hello! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this page to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!Virtual furniture in Sydney
ReplyDeleteExceptionally enthusiastic online journal, I loved that a great deal. Will there be a section 2? Villas for sale algarve portugal
ReplyDeleteIt’s always so sweet and also full of a lot of fun for me personally and my office colleagues to search your blog a minimum of thrice in a week to see the new guidance you have got.
ReplyDeleteDating sites
My designer is attempting to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have constantly despised the thought due to the costs. Be that as it may, he's tryiong none the less. I've been utilizing Movable-sort on a few sites for around a year and am on edge about changing to another stage. I have heard extraordinary things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can exchange all my wordpr
ReplyDeleteess posts into it? Any assistance would be truly welcomed!
Top expert essays writers
This is mind blowing! It genuinely shows to me where to open up my online diary. I incite that at last later on I may attempt to make a book to oblige my web diary, yet we will see.Good post with satisfying tips and considerations.
ReplyDeleteCheap Clothes online
this post will be satisfactorily Just about everything looks stunning displayed a confirmation of gratefulness is all together to share.
ReplyDeleteGirls near me
I am commenting to let you know what a terrific experience my daughter enjoyed reading through your web page. She noticed a wide variety of pieces, with the inclusion of what it is like to have an awesome helping style to have the rest without hassle grasp some grueling matters.
ReplyDeleteCleaning supplies
If you are having difficulty to implement financial procedure, then you can certainly appoint a specialist accountant for you. The capital requirement greatly is dependent upon the business completed by the businessman. The companies can get their work finished in the form of contracts at the fixed fee. https://adamfantacy.tumblr.com/
ReplyDeleteDans mon article consacré au choix d’un extracteur de jus , j’explique également que si vous n’êtes pas sure de votre implication dans les jus, mieux vaut d’abord commencer par acheter une centrifugeuse à petit prix (on en trouve pour une trentaine d’euros). andreslumia.weebly.com
ReplyDeleteWhats up this is kind of of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated! Typically fashion cycles through, but creating a red handbag has long been in style and popular. Other ways to spot fake Coach handbags might not be so obvious, however you should look for them nonetheless:>>> Is the hardware sturdy or is it possible to bend it using your fingers. Incentives like personalized golf shoe bags are valuable tools you can use to market your firm, particularly if you be aware that many business-client relationships are fostered around the golf course.
ReplyDeleteI’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Fantastic work! My Blog http://hall-creepie.mozello.com
ReplyDeleteHello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon. My Blog http://www.marvelscreen-40.webself.net/
ReplyDeleteThat was awesome. I totally loved the Canadian-Philistine reference. That was just great.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteVertical blinds are best suitable for glass windows and doors especially for the sliding ones that used to control the flow of unlight into the room just by tilting the vertical slats or strips made up of fabric, vinyl, wood, and aluminum. Over the necessity, one can fold up the vertical blinds completely on one side of the door or window and as the main advantage; the damaged vanes can be replaced individually from Australian Window Covering, Victoria.
vertical blinds
Thank You and I have a swell give: Does Renovation Increase House Value gutting a house
ReplyDelete