Odyssey Rap: Part V

Calypso was not mortal, but not quite yet a goddess

She was a nymph who liked to weave her own clothes and her bodice.

She found Odi lying there while walking on the beach.

And thought, “This dude is quite a hunk, he’s really is a peach.”

She had him carried to her house and brought him to her room.

And while he slept and rested, she kept working on her loom.

When he awoke, she gave him food and washed it down with nectar.

“You look like you’ve come from the war, are you a friend of Hector?”

 

Odi told her everything, he spun out the whole tale.

And then he asked if she could spare a boat that he could sail.

“I think not,” the nymph replied, “I’ve nursed you with my tea.

And since I rather fancy you, you will stay here with me.”

“I really am so grateful, that you have saved my life.

But if you don’t mind, I’d rather see my son and wife.”

“Forget your wife!” Calypso roared, “I’m sure she’s forgotten you.

12 years without her husband, do you think that she’s been true?

Come here, you great big handsome man, come share this glass of wine,

And live with me and love with me, I’ll treat you might fine.

We’ll have romantic dinners with ambrosia and chianti

Then dance all night to steel drum bands and Harry Belafonte.”

 

The ‘Dis, he was unhappy, but there was nothing he could do.

He cursed his fate, Eurycholus and all this thoughtless crew.

Then took a breath and stood up tall and held back all his tears.

And there he stayed a prisoner for eight long weary years.

 

CHORUS: 

Don’t dis the ‘Dys,’ he did what he could,

To sail his men home safely and get back to his hood.

He used his wits and courage, he acted like a man,

But Fate stepped in, to his chagrin, the gods had others plans.

 

And there he would have stayed right more, but Athena intervened.

To help him reach his home, she sent down Hermes to the scene.

“These orders come from far above, from our big daddy Zeus.

You gotta let the ‘Dis man go, don’t give me no excuse!”

 

So Calypso went to Odi, told him, “You go chop those trees.

And build a boat and I’ll give you some food and a fair breeze.

Odysseus was so happy, he couldn’t believe his ears.

Finally he would go home after twenty lonesome years.

He set to work and built his boat, it only took five days.

Then went to sea and in three weeks, approached his island’s bays.

 

But Poseidon still was pissed off and set to work once more,

Brewed up a storm that wrecked the ship and washed him to the shore.

Of yet another island, where half-dead he was found.

By a young maid named Nausica who saw him naked on the ground.

She bathed him and she dressed him and she nursed him back to health.

“Come ask help from my mother, she’s a woman of great wealth.”

 

Odi reach the palace, was amazed by all its riches.

Silver, bronze and fabric with gold thread in all its stitches.

Gardens watered by two springs, a table set with fruit.

The queen stepped forth and bowed and then her husband followed suit.

They sat down with Odysseus while he poured forth his story.

And listened while he told his tale of tragedy and glory.

At the end of his whole story, his long Homeric poem,

He asked the king and queen if they could help him get back home.

They happily consented, but first a celebration.

With minstrel songs and games and general jubilation.

The next day off they went, with an escort large in number,

While our exhausted hero fell into a deep dark slumber.

They left him on the shore of his beloved land.

Still sleeping with a chest of gold and gifts right close at hand.

When he finally woke up, Athena gave a greeting,

He hugged her tight, he kissed the ground, his heart was strongly beating.

At last he reached his home and our story it should end,

But many trials still lay ahead, so stay awake my friend!

 

CHORUS: 

Don’t dis the ‘Dys,’ he did what he could,

To sail his men home safely and get back to his hood.

He used his wits and courage, he acted like a man,

But Fate stepped in, to his chagrin, the gods had others plans.