Dancin' Boy
(Inspired by the movie Billy Elliot)
Billy Elliot is publicized as a 'coming of age' film,
and it is that; but that aspect of the movie is overshadowed
by the story of a man of indomitable spirit. A man who stood
up, against the backdrop of, and in defiance of the prejudices
bred in a sooty, pitiless, economically challenged English coal
mining town where expectations went no higher than the
top level of a mine shaft. That man, the hero of this
story, is Jackie Elliot, Billy's father. But the story, of
course, begins with and ends with the "Dancin' Boy",
Billy Elliot.
===================================
"Hey, boxin' boy!"
fate called from across the hall
"you don't want to be in that ring,
look over here and let music and dance
ring your bell -- just take a chance."
The music set him afire
made dance pop out of every pore
but fickle fate was not quite done
it had far more in store.
In his father's world of coal dust and dark
the measure of a man was hung
on the sweat on his chest
the sweat on his brow
and, of course, the soot in his lungs
No thought of ballet for the sons of these men,
those sons were football bound
until, that is, they reached the age
to reach the underground
Billy knew that he too was bound
for that soot filled underground
it was written in family tradition
as their fated but unjust perdition
If heroes are born from ashes and soot,
Jackie Elliot was clearly one
'to hell with this town's tradition'
he said 'my boy has talent, he has ambition
I'll sell my soul to see this done'
And done it was! And done it was!
at the cost of his status and pride
He sold what he could and bartered the rest
so he and Billy could take that ride
That ride to London, to the Royal Ballet
where his future as a dancer was at play
and where, it turned out, his talent helped
but words and feelings won the day
(c)HarveyG 2007
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