I’m sure most of you have heard this little ditty at one time or another. It’s from Monty Python’s scathingly blasphemous satire The Life of Brian.

The plot is too involved to get into here but it involves a 1st century AD Jew by the name of Brian Cohen who is mistaken for the Messiah. Brian is a reluctant savior and keeps trying to tell everyone that he’s just an ordinary guy but to no avail.

Of course, the Romans crucify poor Brian. And while on the cross, another victim being crucified breaks into song:

Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you’re chewing on life’s gristle
Don’t grumble, give a whistle
And this’ll help things turn out for the best…

And…always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the light side of life…

If life seems jolly rotten
There’s something you’ve forgotten
And that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you’re feeling in the dumps
Don’t be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle – that’s the thing. (Words and music by Eric Idle)

The song has become wildly popular in Britain. It is the single most requested song to be played at funerals. It was sung by the chaps on the HMS Sheffield after their destroyer was hit during the Falklands War by an Exocet missile and they were awaiting rescue. It’s become a popular ditty sung at soccer games as well.

But you really have to see it in the film to understand the full scope of its irony. There are about 25 guys being crucified along with Brian, including the magnificent Eric Idle who is hanging next to him. Out of the blue, Idle breaks into this tune complete with a whistling interlude in the chorus. He is soon joined by the rest of the condemned men who whistle along on their crosses – some even trying to dance a bit.

I realize that there are probably quite a few of you who find nothing funny about the film. It skewers organized religion and excessive religiosity but not Christianity – a film I believe that Christ himself would have found funny since the Pythons were not mocking him at all.

At any rate, apropos of the times we live in, the song is perfect.

If Iraq has got you down
or you think Obama’s a clown,
or Hillary a danger to our nation and a witch.
There’s something you can do
to make your dreams come true
Just drink a fifth of scotch and drop some “X.”

And…always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the light side of life…

Al-Sadr’s out a-thuggin’
His pals are run and gunnin’
Malki’s really kickin’ ass and taking names.
C’mon now, don’t be blue
Just sniff a little glue
And things will soon be almost right as rain.

And…always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the light side of life…

Your mortgage is balloonin’
Foreclosure is a-loomin’
The housing market’s tanking something bad.
Just read a funny joke
And snort a gram of coke
Soon your troubles won’t make you feel so sad.

And…always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the light side of life…

Liberals are a-droolin’
The right a-feared of losin’
McCain he is a wooden headed chump.
Just take your .38
No real need to wait
Just say goodbye and kiss your ample rump.

And…always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the light side of life…