Reading the Original

I had reason to look up a Middle English version of The Prodigal Son and ran across this lovely argument for reading texts in their original language instead of relying on contemporary translations. This gem is from the University of California, Santa Barbara, English Department.

Original Verse "Jump Around" by House of Pain I'll serve yo' ass like John McEnroe If your girl steps up I'm smackin' the ho Word to your moms, I came to drop bombs I got more rhymes than a bible's got psalms And just like the prodigal son I've returned Anyone steppin' on me you'll get burned 'Cause I got lyrics, but you ain't got none If you come to battle bring a shotgun But if you do you're a fool 'cause I do to the death Try an' step to me you'll take your last breath I got the skill, come get your fill 'Cause when I shoot the gif, I shoot to kill I came to get down So jump around

Translation by Alex Cook I will ace you like a professional tennis player If your girlfriend objects, I may become violent You and all your family should know I'm here to impress you with my verbal power I'm quite a clever poet I bear a biblical resemblance to the prodigal son If you threaten me, you'll regret it Because I'm a far more skillful wordsmith than you If you are so bold, bring the heavy artillery But you're being foolish, because I'm awfully vicious If you challenge me, you'll be vanquished I'm quite ready to dispose of you, when you're ready Because when I threaten you, I really mean it I came to get down So jump around

Well, as Martha G. just pointed out, House of Pain does a lot of jumping around in its video.