A Song for the Hills of Kalamazoo

Well, beloved readers, another Kalamazoo has come and gone.  I myself am left packing up the detritus of another congress while I wait to fly home to South Carolina tomorrow, where it will technically be warmer, but not as warm as my room in the Valley I dorm.

As I ponder the intellectual stimulation and affectionate bonding I enjoyed this week, it occurs to me that there is one thing, my friends, that I have neglected to mention about our annual gathering:  the hills.  Ah, the hills!  For the International Medieval Congress, she is vertical!  And to be a medievalist means to embrace this geographic challenge--or impatiently wait for the shuttles to ferry you to your destination.

Therefore, I thought it fitting to compose a little song in honor of the hills of Western Michigan University, intended to be sung to the tune of the fine classic "Rawhide":

A Song for the Hills of Kalamazoo

Climbin’, climbin’, climbin’,
Climbin’, climbin’, climbin’,
You can’t get to Fetzer
Unless you climb much faster
Medievalists are climbin’
Hah! Hah!

Keep climbin’, climbin’, climbin’
Though thighs and knees are cryin’,
Medievalists keep movin’ along!
Through rain and wind and weather,
Hell bent for a session,
Wonderin’ how to get to Bernhard on time!
All the talks we’re missin',
Because the swans are hissin’,
They ate another grad student

This year!

Climb the steps, climb the hill,
Climb the hill, don’t fall down.
Don’t fall down, step it up:
That’s WMU!
Climb the steps, climb the hill,
Climb the hill, don’t fall down.
Don’t fall down, step it up:
Welcome to
Kalamazoo!

Movin', movin', movin',
You’ve missed another shuttle,
Keep them feets a’movin', that’s right!
Don't try to find a shortcut,

You got to walk that wine off.
Soon we'll be restin’ at the open bar!
My mind’s calculatin'
That Victorianists couldn’t take it,

And modern poets couldn’t climb to Valley I!

Climb the steps, climb the hill,
Climb the hill, don’t fall down.
Don’t fall down, step it up:
That’s WMU!
Climb the steps, climb the hill,
Climb the hill, don’t fall down.
Don’t fall down, step it up:
Welcome to
Kalamazoo!