phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Many a fine tune...

Posted by TheFallen on April 18, 2003

In Reply to: I shall wear purple posted by Word Camel on April 17, 2003

: : : During our class discussion, one of my students made reference to my age, to which I replied "Ah but, the older the violin, the sweeter the music!"
: : : My submission is twofold. Am I mistakenly attributing this to Larry McMurtry's "Lonesome Dove?"
: : : I then recalled, "There may be snow on the roof, but there is still a fire in the hearth!" "Wine gets better with age!"
: : : I would appreciate any and all references/ quotes/ sayings as to the advantages of aging.
: : : Thanks in advance!

: : These women could probably quote you a few -- www.redhatsociety.com/ They are followers of the sentiments expressed in this poem posted here in part:

: : WARNING
: : By Jenny Joseph

: : When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
: : With a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me.
: : And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
: : And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
: : I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
: : And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
: : And run my stick along the public railings
: : And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
: : I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
: : And pick the flowers in other people's gardens . . .

: : But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
: : So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
: : When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

: Gus McRae does indeed say this in Lonesome Dove. I have done a little looking and haven't found it attributed to anyone else but I doubt it's McMurtry's. Another variation is 'the older the bottle, the sweeter the wine.' The point is, for me anyway, is he's absolutely right. :)

: Camelita
: A camel of a certain age.

A known humorous rejoinder (over here in the UK at least) is very similar to the alleged McMurtryism - "Ah but many a fine tune's played on a old violin/fiddle". It's almost always used with a winkingly sexual connotation.

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