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Mystery of the sidewalk chalk

By Philip Anselmo

A week ago today, I took a walk down Main Street to get a picture of the gargantuan American flag slung across a downtown facade in honor of the victims of 9/11. On that walk, I came across the phrase: "Obama said I could be his princess (aka hall monitor) ♡Britt" scrawled in bright-colored chalk across the sidewalk. A little further on were more such curious phrases in pink, purple and yellow chalk.

Had anyone else seen these odd scribblings? Does anyone know what they mean? Is it art or politics or neither? What are we to make of the juxtaposition of the phrase: "Vote Obama he's going to Barak-n-Roll" with: "Hey there Delilah what's it like in New York City....."? There is a will at work here. What is it's intent?

Patrick D. Burk

Are they lyrics to the Barack Obama song? There was some girl that wrote a song about "loving Barack Obama"....not sure...but that would be my guess.

Sep 18, 2008, 11:29am Permalink
Sherry Tacy

"Hey there Delilah,
What’s it like in New York City?
I’m a thousand miles away,
But girl tonight you look so pretty,
Yes you do,
Time Square can’t shine as bright as you,
I swear it’s true. "
A song by "The plain white T's"
Certainly the work of a younger person, because I had to look up the lyrics:)
Art? Politics? Teen angst?
If there is a purpose and intent behind these scrawlings, then it got us all wondering, for sure. Or maybe it's just teen angst, in which case....chalk goes away with the rain:)

Sep 18, 2008, 12:00pm Permalink
Philip Anselmo

Sherry, I don't see that there would be any reason to chalk this up (get it?) to teen angst. I got quite a contrary impression from the quotes. They seemed more wistful and mischievous. Rainbow colored chalk isn't usually the medium of choice for the angst-ridden teenager, I wouldn't think.

Also, I've since discovered that most of the lines are from pop songs, if not all of them.

Sep 18, 2008, 12:24pm Permalink
Daniel Jones

The first one is from a country song I believe, the second one I'm not sure about.

The Obama thing isn't from Obama Girl (from "I've got a crush...on Obama" fame), so I'm really not sure.

Philip is probably right, mischif.

Sep 18, 2008, 12:29pm Permalink
Philip Anselmo

Mischief, yes. But the good kind. The playful and creative kind. Not the kind that is often preceded by "criminal" and punishable under the law.

Sep 18, 2008, 12:35pm Permalink
Daniel Jones

Oh no question, I love chalk art, I can remember when I was working at Darien Lake State Park last summer in one of the camping loops some kids drew some American Flags, red white and blue streamers and some fireworks on the roads in chalk.

It lasted for a few weeks, really added a nice patriotic zeal during the time right before and after the 4th of July.

Sep 18, 2008, 12:39pm Permalink
Patrick D. Burk

Hey Phil..did you post my blog for today from the Batavia Players, Inc..... a couple of my Board Members just asked if I did it and I did not see it.

On the Chalk thing..... well chalk away...I think it is cool and wish we had more kids writing lyrics and poems on our sidewalks.....real creativity....

Pat

Sep 18, 2008, 12:47pm Permalink
Sherry Tacy

Wistful and mischievous is probably a better way to put it. Since this person has an outlet, then we hopefully have no worries. Maybe one of our future artists, songwriters, or better yet, community leaders? If the lyrics start to lean toward the "country" side of things then maybe we can worry then. (Just kidding country music fans!) Phil, I will "chalk it up" to entertaining, no matter the source!:)

Sep 18, 2008, 1:00pm Permalink
katelyn richenberg

funny thing is i am the one who wrote all that in chalk on the sidewalk with my friend kelsey.
my friend chelsea had seen the pictures i had taken of my chalk adventure on my phone and later asked me if i had posted it on this website i told her i hadn't and she said that someone had.
i thought it was very funny seeing as the pictures you took are the exact ones i have on my phone, of some meaningful lines in songs.

Sep 20, 2008, 11:48am Permalink

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