like a black fly in your Chardonnay

In one of my current "picture books," (my euphemism for fashion magazines, which somehow also serves as my justification for reading them...everybody sometimes just needs to "look at the pictures"), there is a tiny announcement in a section entitled "Global Fashion News" of a line of clothing based in Buenos Aires, Argentina that is about to expand into "ready-to-wear." The designer label is known for its delicate, airy, pretty, sheer (and expensive) lingerie; bras, panties, camisoles, etc.

 

So?

 

Well, the brand name of this lingerie company is Juana de Arco. The featured item in the announcement is a lacy red and white polka dotted bra. Juana de Arco is Spanish for Joan of Arc, arguably perhaps the world's first female cross-dresser (no referential pun to the crucifixion intended). In the official transcripts of her trial by the Inquisition, (available for summer reading on the Internet, by the way) one of the formal crimes for which Joan was charged, found guilty and later executed is dressing like a man. In this, she was adamant and remained defiant though her life was threatened. The only condition under which Joan would consider putting on a dress was if her Burgundian jailers would allow her to go to Mass if she did so, at which point she declared, "Then, on my return I will put on once again the dress (clothes) that I have."

 

An old man turned ninety-eight
He won the lottery and died the next day
Its a black fly in your chardonnay
Its a death row pardon two minutes too late
Isn't it ironic... don't you think?

Chorus:
Its like rain on your wedding day
Its a free ride when you've already paid
Its the good advice that you just didn't take
Who would've thought... it figures

Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly
He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbye
He waited his whole damn life to take that flight
And as the plane crashed down he thought
Well isn't this nice...
And isn't it ironic... don't you think?