Song reworks: cue up the music.
Jun. 23rd, 2009 03:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lit_luminaryAnother trio of House song reworks--as ever, links are supplied to instrumental accompaniment for singing purposes. Two are canon-based; the third is set within "An Art of Balance," the coming "Principles" sequel. (Vague spoiler warning for that one, but no more than the sonnets.)
1: "Despite Pain" to the tune of "King of Pain" by The Police. House suffers, but he doesn't let it stop him from living his life.
2: "Let's Talk Now of Diagnosis" to the tune of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Never Mind the Why and Wherefore" from H.M.S. Pinafore. You could call this one 'DDX in song, 2.0.' Featuring House, the original fellows and a satirical tone.
3: "Andromeda's Eyes" to the tune of "Lily's Eyes" from The Secret Garden. (Hyperlink supplied is to an MP3 of the original song, with vocals: listen, as it is gorgeous. Instrumental version for singing is linked under the cut.) Again, this one belongs to the dæmonverse AAU--a duet by Chase's aunts as they consider him and the sister they lost.
1:
Despite Pain
(To the tune of “King of Pain” by The Police.)
So he broods and stares out of the window-glass:
The raindrops streak down; crawling minutes pass.
A bitter pill dissolves upon his tongue:
Pain is the fermata in a song half-sung.
He’s resigned to the fact: there will be no release.
Opiates buy a temporary, toxic peace
On a battleground where wartime will never cease:
Some days, the only thing he knows is pain’s increase.
A diagnostician stands before his board:
Living despite pain.
A musician’s fingers dance through another chord:
Living despite pain.
A mentor weaves a complex metaphor:
Living despite pain.
A friend plans out a prank to settle the score.
He’s the lover of truth with speech that’s too forthright,
He is the employee who will stand up and fight.
He’s the analyst reading test results by night,
He’s the taker of chances, he who says, “It might…”
He’s a mentor who’s proud of his protégé.
He’s a friend who is longing for his friend to stay.
He’s a doctor doing what he knows is right,
He’s a scientist seeking out reason’s light.
[Instrumental break.]
And he broods and stares out of the window-glass:
The raindrops streak down; crawling minutes pass.
A bitter pill dissolves upon his tongue:
Pain is the fermata in a song half-sung.
He is the Icarus who may or may not fall.
He is the man brought low who is still standing tall.
He is the observer whose sharp gaze sees it all.
He is the ailing patient’s final port of call.
Despite pain.
Goes on living despite pain.
Goes on living despite pain.
2:
Let’s Talk Now of Diagnosis
(To the tune of “Never Mind the Why and Wherefore” from Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore.)
Scene: House throws several copies of a patient file onto the conference table before Fellows 1.0 and commences.
HOUSE:
Let’s talk now of diagnosis—
Is it parasite? Thrombosis?
For the patient in that file
Is revolving round the drain.
Now someone volunteer. I’ll
Remind you to use your brain!
So inform me: what’s the ailment
Plaguing patient-of-the-week?
What disease caused this assailment?
You’re fired if you don’t speak!
Differential diagnosis!
FELLOWS:
Differential diagnosis!
HOUSE:
It’s the routine: if you know this
Propose a damn diagnosis!
FOREMAN:
Possibly it’s in his brainstem—
Tumor could those symptoms cause.
In his body, dire mayhem—
HOUSE:
But your theory has some flaws!
In the nervous system central
(Within skull and dorsoventral)
You will note some mechanisms
That have not yet suffered harm,
Which they would have, if a tumor
Had moved in in all its charm!
You and central nervous system:
Won’t you leave that stupid box?
Specialty disorders—list ‘em—
Serve as diagnostic blocks!
Not the central nervous system!
CHASE/CAMERON:
Not the central nervous system!
HOUSE (tersely):
Screw the central nervous system,
And give me another system!
CAMERON:
Autoimmune: that could do this,
Make his body harm itself.
Steroid treatment; he’ll live through this,
And this case we all can shelf.
HOUSE:
Just told Foreman, 'Be creative,
Give me something innovative!'
So ‘It’s immune,’ you blithely think,
But the tests that thought negate!
Someone better these symptoms link,
Or it’s gonna be too late.
CHASE:
Approach from the wrong direction:
Symptom two was symptom one.
The subsequent imperfection—
HOUSE (satisfied):
There, see? That is how it’s done.
Just a little innovation.
FOREMAN/CAMERON (resentful):
Just a little innovation.
CHASE:
And a little validation?
HOUSE:
Watch me glare exasperation.
Differential diagnoses:
All our patients’ problems solved.
(And to fellows with neuroses—
Beware: I might get involved!)
FELLOWS:
Differential diagnoses:
All our patients’ problems solved,
From their cancers to psychoses—
Nothing less, with House involved!
3:
Andromeda’s Eyes
(To the tune of “Lily’s Eyes” from The Secret Garden.)
CALLISTO:
Night has fallen; the child’s gone
But memory’s left behind.
I can’t help but remember her…
Remember her.
ALCYONE:
Strange, this child—so much like her;
Not to see it, I’d be blind.
His speech and gestures recall her.
They recall her.
CALLISTO:
Oh sister, why that spell?
Its success I despise.
Looking at him, why must I see your eyes?
He has your eyes.
Andromeda, he has your eyes,
And every time they meet mine, I regret.
Why were your sisters, why was your life given up?
The pain of loss I won’t ever forget.
ALCYONE:
He has her eyes.
The boy has Andromeda’s eyes,
Her mind, that twists and calculates with ease.
And though I’ll always miss her, I can’t help but find
That to her song, the child is a fine reprise.
Sometimes I almost see her—
Reflected, in part.
Half-human son, beloved one,
He has his mother’s heart.
CALLISTO:
‘Teach him,’ she said.
Did she think of the pain so caused?
To see her as her son walks in her way?
Andromeda, my sister—
Did you ever know
My bitter grief?
The betrayal? You wouldn’t stay.
ALCYONE:
She lives on in her child.
CALLISTO:
I knew you would die:
Why was it worth it, caged to stay?
Why’d you leave me to cry?
CALLISTO:/ALCYONE:
He has your eyes:/He has her eyes
Why did he have to have your eyes?/He has his mother’s eyes,
[silence]/And her gentleness;
The eyes that I remember/I remember well.
Too well./'Meda,
Let me forget—/He does you proud,
Bury the pain—/And know I never will forget
Forget you had a son/That you live on
Who has your eyes./In Robert’s eyes.
Who has your eyes./In Robert’s eyes.
1: "Despite Pain" to the tune of "King of Pain" by The Police. House suffers, but he doesn't let it stop him from living his life.
2: "Let's Talk Now of Diagnosis" to the tune of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Never Mind the Why and Wherefore" from H.M.S. Pinafore. You could call this one 'DDX in song, 2.0.' Featuring House, the original fellows and a satirical tone.
3: "Andromeda's Eyes" to the tune of "Lily's Eyes" from The Secret Garden. (Hyperlink supplied is to an MP3 of the original song, with vocals: listen, as it is gorgeous. Instrumental version for singing is linked under the cut.) Again, this one belongs to the dæmonverse AAU--a duet by Chase's aunts as they consider him and the sister they lost.
1:
Despite Pain
(To the tune of “King of Pain” by The Police.)
So he broods and stares out of the window-glass:
The raindrops streak down; crawling minutes pass.
A bitter pill dissolves upon his tongue:
Pain is the fermata in a song half-sung.
He’s resigned to the fact: there will be no release.
Opiates buy a temporary, toxic peace
On a battleground where wartime will never cease:
Some days, the only thing he knows is pain’s increase.
A diagnostician stands before his board:
Living despite pain.
A musician’s fingers dance through another chord:
Living despite pain.
A mentor weaves a complex metaphor:
Living despite pain.
A friend plans out a prank to settle the score.
He’s the lover of truth with speech that’s too forthright,
He is the employee who will stand up and fight.
He’s the analyst reading test results by night,
He’s the taker of chances, he who says, “It might…”
He’s a mentor who’s proud of his protégé.
He’s a friend who is longing for his friend to stay.
He’s a doctor doing what he knows is right,
He’s a scientist seeking out reason’s light.
[Instrumental break.]
And he broods and stares out of the window-glass:
The raindrops streak down; crawling minutes pass.
A bitter pill dissolves upon his tongue:
Pain is the fermata in a song half-sung.
He is the Icarus who may or may not fall.
He is the man brought low who is still standing tall.
He is the observer whose sharp gaze sees it all.
He is the ailing patient’s final port of call.
Despite pain.
Goes on living despite pain.
Goes on living despite pain.
2:
Let’s Talk Now of Diagnosis
(To the tune of “Never Mind the Why and Wherefore” from Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore.)
Scene: House throws several copies of a patient file onto the conference table before Fellows 1.0 and commences.
HOUSE:
Let’s talk now of diagnosis—
Is it parasite? Thrombosis?
For the patient in that file
Is revolving round the drain.
Now someone volunteer. I’ll
Remind you to use your brain!
So inform me: what’s the ailment
Plaguing patient-of-the-week?
What disease caused this assailment?
You’re fired if you don’t speak!
Differential diagnosis!
FELLOWS:
Differential diagnosis!
HOUSE:
It’s the routine: if you know this
Propose a damn diagnosis!
FOREMAN:
Possibly it’s in his brainstem—
Tumor could those symptoms cause.
In his body, dire mayhem—
HOUSE:
But your theory has some flaws!
In the nervous system central
(Within skull and dorsoventral)
You will note some mechanisms
That have not yet suffered harm,
Which they would have, if a tumor
Had moved in in all its charm!
You and central nervous system:
Won’t you leave that stupid box?
Specialty disorders—list ‘em—
Serve as diagnostic blocks!
Not the central nervous system!
CHASE/CAMERON:
Not the central nervous system!
HOUSE (tersely):
Screw the central nervous system,
And give me another system!
CAMERON:
Autoimmune: that could do this,
Make his body harm itself.
Steroid treatment; he’ll live through this,
And this case we all can shelf.
HOUSE:
Just told Foreman, 'Be creative,
Give me something innovative!'
So ‘It’s immune,’ you blithely think,
But the tests that thought negate!
Someone better these symptoms link,
Or it’s gonna be too late.
CHASE:
Approach from the wrong direction:
Symptom two was symptom one.
The subsequent imperfection—
HOUSE (satisfied):
There, see? That is how it’s done.
Just a little innovation.
FOREMAN/CAMERON (resentful):
Just a little innovation.
CHASE:
And a little validation?
HOUSE:
Watch me glare exasperation.
Differential diagnoses:
All our patients’ problems solved.
(And to fellows with neuroses—
Beware: I might get involved!)
FELLOWS:
Differential diagnoses:
All our patients’ problems solved,
From their cancers to psychoses—
Nothing less, with House involved!
3:
Andromeda’s Eyes
(To the tune of “Lily’s Eyes” from The Secret Garden.)
CALLISTO:
Night has fallen; the child’s gone
But memory’s left behind.
I can’t help but remember her…
Remember her.
ALCYONE:
Strange, this child—so much like her;
Not to see it, I’d be blind.
His speech and gestures recall her.
They recall her.
CALLISTO:
Oh sister, why that spell?
Its success I despise.
Looking at him, why must I see your eyes?
He has your eyes.
Andromeda, he has your eyes,
And every time they meet mine, I regret.
Why were your sisters, why was your life given up?
The pain of loss I won’t ever forget.
ALCYONE:
He has her eyes.
The boy has Andromeda’s eyes,
Her mind, that twists and calculates with ease.
And though I’ll always miss her, I can’t help but find
That to her song, the child is a fine reprise.
Sometimes I almost see her—
Reflected, in part.
Half-human son, beloved one,
He has his mother’s heart.
CALLISTO:
‘Teach him,’ she said.
Did she think of the pain so caused?
To see her as her son walks in her way?
Andromeda, my sister—
Did you ever know
My bitter grief?
The betrayal? You wouldn’t stay.
ALCYONE:
She lives on in her child.
CALLISTO:
I knew you would die:
Why was it worth it, caged to stay?
Why’d you leave me to cry?
CALLISTO:/ALCYONE:
He has your eyes:/He has her eyes
Why did he have to have your eyes?/He has his mother’s eyes,
[silence]/And her gentleness;
The eyes that I remember/I remember well.
Too well./'Meda,
Let me forget—/He does you proud,
Bury the pain—/And know I never will forget
Forget you had a son/That you live on
Who has your eyes./In Robert’s eyes.
Who has your eyes./In Robert’s eyes.
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no subject
Date: 2009-06-24 12:31 am (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2009-08-26 03:27 pm (UTC)And Let's Talk Now of Diagnosis...how did you get all those medical terms to rhyme? Also, I loved House approving of Chase's methods, and Chases needing his daddy-figure to validate him. How cute!
I love the song Lily's Eyes and you did a wonderful reworking. Showing a vulnerable, softer side of the aunts? :)
(no subject)
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