A Few More Lines ... 2007-10-13

CLOates
13 October 2007
Rev.: 23 Nov 2007
Norman, Oklahoma, USA

A Few More Lines ...

The software engineer's version of "Coal Tattoo" is still a work in progress. See the text below for a partial set of lyrics.

__________________________

Untitled, so far

Been writin' software all of my life,
Since I was seventeen.
I laid cool code for all kinds o' things,
Before there were Windows machines.
Wrote programs to test 'most everything,
When I worked for my Uncle Sam:
Engines, injectors, and CSDs,
Monsters with 3D cams,
Monsters with 3D cams.

I've written compilers, and I love to code
In languages formed in a dream
I've written applications in only six days,
While leadin' a software team.
Gotta learn a new language every week--
I've used a dozen or more,
And ya do absolutely whatever it takes
To get good stuff out the door,
To get good stuff out the door.

They bring you requirements bizarre and unique
With time budgets drawn up by Scrooge
And want it tomorrow without a mistake
While fixing a hardware kluge.
Programming takes a terrible toll,
Lotsa nights without goin' to bed,
It'll put lots of jingle into your jeans,
And a shock of gray hair on your head.

. . .

(to be continued)

Goodnight!

Prof. Oates

BTW, Judy Collins' recording of "Coal Tattoo" is worth mentioning. She was a folk singer in the 1960s who did a very creditable job of the song in The Judy Collins Concert album. Her version of "Coal Tattoo" is available on iTunes for $0.99. --CLO