When I got the prompt "extravagance," for some reason the first thing that came to my mind was that old Monty Python sketch with the four Yorkshiremen complaining about how rough they had it when they were young, each one one-upping the last with awful details. Somehow, that started to turn into a love ballad about a young man who had nothing to offer but "an extravagance of love." As I kept writing, I realized I needed to have some kind of twist ending when I revealed that his love was not, as you'd expect, a fair young woman. To whom is he singing? You'll have to listen to find out!
Extravagance of Love
Verse 1
Father worked hard each day down the mill.
I joined him there when I was 8.
The hours were long, and the pay it was small.
We had never enough on our plates.
We lived in a tiny, tumble-down home.
In winter, we were sorely cold.
Bellies not full led to shivering bones,
And there was never enough coal.
Chorus
I cannot offer you gold or riches galore,
But by the heavens up above,
What I do have for you, my darling dear,
Is an extravagance of love.
Verse 2
At age 14, I left my house,
Think that I would set sail
To make my fortune out at sea.
Instead, I ended up in debtors gaol.
The cards and the ladies in old London town
Turned my head and emptied my purse.
That I landed in gaol was preferable, I think,
To landing a case of that old French curse.
Chorus
Verse 3
Upon gaining my freedom, I promptly fell in
With those whose morals were questionable at best.
I thought that I'd reap a fortune in gold
By doing their bidding, all at their behest.
When I didn't get wealthy, I thought what's the harm
In sneaking for me some of their precious loot.
I should have known they would notice, those fastidious brutes.
They dismissed me and beat me thoroughly, to boot.
Chorus
Verse 4
So when I met you, I had not a penny to my name,
Nor was I what they'd call a fine young man.
I had never yet done an single honest day's work,
So I'm amazed that our love even began.
I saw something in you, you saw something in me.
There was something in the air and in our eyes.
And I hope my declaring love to a flagon of ale
Won't come as a ruddy surprise!
Chorus x 2
@caitlin Feb 2022
You’re such a storyteller! I love the twist, you don’t see it coming. Your rich velvety voice on this ballad sounds so smooth, it’s really fitting here. You have such great versatility in your vocals!
@tseaver Feb 2022
Nice write: the storytelling is compelling. The conceit of the response to the prompt, and the turn at the end, are quite fitting.