Wild Fox Zen
That would be Waylon Coyote and Willie Wild Fox – although the former put a lot more time and talent into it than the latter, I assure you.
A few weeks ago I posted some alternate lyrics for the Country Western classic, “Mamma’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys.” A certain Wiley Coyote picked up on it and went way beyond what I’d thrown out there.
Tonight in the Dogen study I played it and it was wholeheartedly acclaimed. Turns out that the essential point of Dogen is the same – “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Zennies.”
MAMAS DON’T LET YOUR BABIES GROW UP TO BE ZENNIES
Zennies ain’t easy to love and they’re harder to hold.
And they’d rather give you a sutra than diamonds or gold.
Nyo-e o’kesa and old faded robes and each night begins a new day.
And if you don’t understand him and he don’t die young,
His body and mind may just drop away.
Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be zennies.
Don’t give ‘em old koans and zafus to fluff.
Let ‘em be doctors and lawyers and such.
Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be zennies.
They’ll never stay home and they’re always alone,
Even with someone they love.
Zennies like smokey old zendos and clear mountain mornin’s
Exotic green tea and Leonard Cohen and women of light.
And them that don’t know him won’t like him.
And them that do sometimes won’t know how to take him.
He ain’t wrong he’s just different,
but his pride won’t let him do things to make you think he’s right.
Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be zennies.
Don’t give ‘em koans and zafus to fluff.
Let ‘em be doctors and lawyers and such.
Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be zennies.
They’ll never stay home and they’re always alone,
Even with someone they love.
But they’re always at home wherever they roam,
Even with some you don’t love.
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