Today’s post was written by Paul.
Christmas drawing by Chatter in early 2000s
I taught middle school language arts for ten years, and I used to include this song in our 8th grade poetry unit.
For eight of those ten years, I taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, meaning I had the same students for three years. This set up greatly facilitated taking students to very advanced levels of knowledge and literacy by the time they finished 8th grade.
The culminating poetry project for all 8th graders was to write an original poem in iambic pentameter or another meter. Through reading and analyzing a lot of different poetry over the course of three years, they learned all the possible tools at their disposal as poets and how to mix them to accomplish whatever goals they had for their poems.
I used the song “Pretty Paper” written by Willie Nelson as a strong example of caesura. Caesura is when a poet deliberately creates a pause or stop in the middle of a line.
In most poems, the lines flow smoothly and only stop or pause at the ends of the lines, not in the middle. Caesuras vary in degree or strength, depending on the punctuation used. A comma creates a milder caesura than a period.
Poets can use caesuras for various reasons. In the opening lines, Nelson used mild or medium caesuras to mimic the pace or rhythmic steps of walking down the sidewalk. In the 5th line, he used the strongest caesura that I recall reading in any poem or song–by using a question mark followed closely by a period (two full stops). Those caesuras (paired with the fact that the song is written in second person) create a clear moment of consideration for the listener, where a decision must be made.
In the very next line, Nelson utilized highly effective diction. He used the interjection “my.” Although this interjection was once much more common in everyday English, by the time Nelson wrote this song, that interjection (through its use in certain contexts on TV and in other media) had for the most part, become associated with the wealthy or upper class. ‘
I don’t think Nelson tried to guilt trip anyone with that line or to make them feel bad about having more than others. Rather, I think he was pointing out how if we’re not careful, we can easily get caught up in pursuing superficial things without stopping to see a far more obvious and important opportunity to apply the true meaning of Christmas and Christianity.
He also made a very clever play on the word “cries.” This street vendor, much like a newsboy, is crying his wares. The lines of the chorus come directly from the vendor, in that he calls out to the passing public. This older meaning of “cries,” which is “loudly announces,” would still be familiar to almost all listeners in the 1960’s.
Mac Wiseman had his big hit with “Jimmy Brown, the Newsboy” in 1959.
However, something more important is happening in that line through the pun or word play. Yes, Nelson is telling the listener that the vendor is calling out to extoll his products and persuade buyers, but Nelson paints a sympathetic contrast between the vendor’s “cries” and the laughter of the others who are caught up in shopping. While this song may appear very simple on the surface, an analysis of the lyrics reveals that it’s possibly one of Willie Nelson’s finest compositions. The lyrics are below. Here’s a link to Roy Orbison’s original recording of the song: “PRETTY PAPER” – Roy Orbison (Origina…
Crowded streets, busy feet hustle by him. Down town shoppers; Christmas is nigh. There he sits all alone on the sidewalk, Hoping that you won’t pass him by. Should you stop? Better not. Much too busy. You’re in a hurry; my, how time does fly. In the distance, the ringing of laughter, And in the midst of the laughter, he cries:
“Pretty Paper, pretty ribbons of blue! Wrap your presents to your darling from you! Pretty pencils to write, ‘I love you!’ Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue!”
Hope you enjoyed the video!
Paul
Original singles released on Spotify.
Paul, thank you for your 10 years of devotion to your students. I am sure you made a much greater impact than you will ever know.
Just beautiful Paul. Thank you so much.
That was wonderful, Paul.
That is just beautiful Paul. Thank you for sharing. God bless. Praying for Granny.
In my opinion this is the best performance Paul has reveiled since I’ve been watching him. One voice, one guitar and and a song that fits him. No orchestra, no background singers, no drums, no basses, no electronics. Just a man and his guitar. Perfection!
Those kids you taught got one big step up in the world having had you, Paul, as their teacher. I so enjoy your videos and input.
I loved this deconstruction of the song, the poetry aspects and Paul’s singing. I’ll never listen to this song the same way again! I never understood it. Thank you, Paul. Merry Christmas!
Happy Sunday before Christmas Day to all the Blind Pig and the Acorn family!
Paul, you sang this lovely song beautifully. Thank you for sharing all the background story of this song Pretty Paper. You always bring out such interesting facts about songs, like who originally wrote them, when it was written and why they wrote them. You just bring life to every song you sing. What a blessing to have that talent and desire to bring life to a song.
Paul is still teaching. My teachers never got around to “caesura.” We memorized some poetry but didn’t get into details beyond meter. A sophomore literature professor did drill us on figures of speech, for which I am grateful.
Loved both Roy Oribson and Paul’s version of this. I especially enjoyed Paul’s video, singing, then telling the story behind the song. The words of the song serve as a gentle reminder of what Christmas should be all about. Great job, Paul! Now I’m on a quest to find Willie Nelson’s book and read it! 🙂
Beautiful, and as always Paul, you did a wonderful job! Thank you for sharing all in the information about this special song. Have a blessed Sunday!!
Thank you Paul – love the song and you did a beautiful job too. Noticing the instruments hanging behind you – do you play both of those too?
Kathy-so glad you enjoyed it! He does play them 🙂
Randy, So sorry for your loss.
Thanks Paul. You sang Willie’s song just beautiful. It seems there should or could have had more verses. Still a beautiful song. Merry Christmas to you, Miss Louzine and the whole family Merry Christmas. Please let your Momma know I’ll be praying for her. At every thought of her and the family too. Jennifer
Merry Christmas to you, Paul, and all your family. Loved your rendition of the sad song today. Took me back to many years ago. Your video was very enlightening. I had no idea Willie wrote it. Chris Isaac is one of my favorites , too. He is from my hometown of Stockton, CA. Blessings to all.
Wendell Patterson and I were driving by Belmont Hills shopping center in Smyrna GA in 1963..Am radio on in my Impala SS when the Orbison version came on.. Blew us away..jock said written by Willie Nelson..I should have known!!! Not many folks were familiar with Wille in 1963. My favorite writer, Willie, and my favorite singer, Orbison!!
Don’t you wish you still had that 63 Chevy Impala SS? Did it have the 327 engine and 4 speed transmission? The cars and muscle cars of the 60’s can’t be beat. They were the best?
Didn’t Willie also write the gospel song Family Bible?
I meant to write cars and music of the 60’s.
Yes..Willie wrote Family Bible. My SS was a 327 with PG
Paul – this song was always one of my favorites from first time I heard it – not just the tune but the words – and loved Willie!! I enjoyed how you ‘opened’ up the song and cause one to ‘hear’ it a bit differently. Blessings to you all.
Beautiful song. I remember Roy Orbison’s version either 1963 or 1964..nothing like a song written by Willie and sung by Roy!!!Two of my top favorites!!! Thanks, Paul!!!Good job!
what a beautiful Christmas tree, what a great sounding guitar, thank you Paul and God bless you very much, Merry Christmas
I always enjoy listening to the Sunday songs you post. This one was just lovely. Thank you. Have a wonderful rest of the day everyone!
Thank you Paul for the information on that unique song that Willie Nelson wrote. It means so much more to me now that I know the background of the writing of it.
Continued prayers for Granny & all of y’all during this wonderous holiday.
Love this song and especially Paul’s version.
Thank you Paul for sharing the information about one of my all time favorite songs! I enjoyed also your explanation of poetry and the application of it in Mr. Nelson’s lyrics. I wish I had been a student of yours!
It is heart wrenching to know the story behind it. Coincidentally, like Frankie I had spinal meningitis and nearly died when I was twelve.
Thank you Paul and Tipper for sharing this special story. Wishing you both a wonderful Christmas. Glad tidings extend to Granny, Matt , Katie, Corey, Austin, Ira, and Woodrow. I hope y’all will reach out and give a heart-felt Merry Christmas greeting to a stranger. It’ll put a warm spot in your heart.
Blessings of love to all Tipper’s readers.
Willy Nelson’s Pretty Paper is one of my favorite “Christmas” songs. It is about person who needs our attention and empathy. He is hawking goods, pretty paper, but his cries are definitely separate from the commercialism that dominates this season where depression is at least as common as joy and wonder. The man sitting on the sidewalk could be a poor Jewish peddler, or a West African “illegal” immigrant who worships Mawu She is the creator god. Or he could be a Syrian war refugee, a devout Sunni Muslim desperate to earn enough to post a relief package back to loved ones camped in the rubble of what was once their home. Willy Nelson was raised in a Methodist home, but his spiritual journey has taken him to many places. He is a song writer who follows his own path wherever it takes him.
Willie Nelson is one of my favorite singers and writers of all time. I can’t think of too many songs he’s done that aren’t good. He uses pausing, stopping, hanging on notes to create tunes that you want to hear again. The song LAST THING I NEEDED FIRST THING THIS MORNING is my personal favorite, but it’s hard to pick a favorite from such a talented artist, writer, actor, and cannabis activist, partaken and entrepreneur of such…. Willie is cool and so was Roy Orbison-really cool!!!!! Roy sang like an angel… RIP ROY ORBISON! Willie keeps on keeping on kind of like Keith Richardson the Stones… lol Happy Christmas y’all! I’m not doing anything-no decorating, no buying, not stressing and I’m pretty sure this is the new future of holidays for me. Bah humbug… lol and I hear ya RANDY…. Bless y’all and it’s probably less than 10 degrees here in balmy beachy southern WV… stay warm and prayers to those in tents in NC and TN and homeless around this land to be warm and safe….
I love Roy Orbison’s version of this song. Thank you for sharing!
Prayers for everyone this Christmas season. This time of year can bring many different emotions and I pray the Lord touches each heart with love and peace!
oh how lovely
One sidelight to this wonderful post is realization that for a decade or so there were a bunch of students blessed to have Paul Wilson as a teacher. For a curious, malleable mind he had to be an absolute joy. Such teachers are too rare but memories of them endure.
Such a beautiful but sad song. I could just see that busy street and the boy selling his wares.
Wow, Paul is a very highly intelligent man! What a blessing for each and every student that was under his direction!
Always interesting to hear the history of a song. I bet your former students regard you as a favorite no doubt! keep singing and teaching us. Merry Christmas to all in the Holler!
Paul, that was beautiful!! I didn’t know all that about the song and I’m not sure this relates, but in an old black and white movie Elvis is standing out on a veranda in New Orleans and a lady street vendor comes walking down the street singing “Crawfish,” with such a beautiful haunting singing voice. She pauses and then goes on with her singing. When you mentioned the stops and pauses part it made me think of that lady street vendor.
I sure didn’t get your kind of language arts depth, Paul. I recognized “iambic pentameter” though I have forgotten what it means. I can see we readers get a similar depth when you post, like here, as your students did. Makes me wonder though, were you a hard grader? You give a lot of details to remember.
This was a very interesting column. I’m a huge Willie fan and love Roy Orbison’s version but I will listen to the song differently next time. A much deeper meaning than apparent at first.
Paul, you sang and played this song so beautifully.❤❤
This brings back beautiful memories. I graduated in 1969, wonderful memories.❤ I will listen often! Praying for all who are looking in. I’m praying for all who have lost so much to the hurricane flooding, my heart hurts for them.
I am praying for Granny and all of your family. God bless you and yours❤❤
Beautiful song. Thank you
Beautiful, such talent. Enjoyable read for this beautiful Sunday. It is still dark here in upstate Florida, but I know God’s sky and earth is beautiful, as usual. Prayers for Granny, always, and God’s Blessing for sure.
I apologize for writing this, but this is one of the Christmas songs that I no longer listen too. There was a time in the past when it was one of my favorites. Now it just adds to my depression of missing my wife. I know Paul does a good job, he always does with all of the songs he sings and plays. Since Thanksgiving, I know of 4 longtime married couples that I was friends with that have lost their spouse, (husband).
So sorry to hear about your wife. Death is a part of life. Jesus loves you and when you cry, he sees every tear. Talk to him. Tell him how you feel. There are no words that anyone can say to make that hurt go away, but I have found that keeping yourself busy with helping others that are in need of help will keep you focused on living life. God bless.