03.21.15 — Jumpin' Jack Flash

Jumpin’ Jack Flash by Robert Crumb

Robert Crumb (b. 1943) is an American artist recognized for his distinctive style of drawing and his critical, satirical, subversive view of the American mainstream. Crumb was a founder, and one of the most prominent figures, of the underground comix movement. One of his most recognized works is the "Keep on Truckin'" comic, a widely distributed fixture of pop culture in the 1970s. His works include Devil Girl, Fritz the Cat, and Mr. Natural. He currently lives in Southern France.

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Saturday, March 21, 2015

Puzzle by Frederick J. Healy / Edited by Will Shortz

Three sets of three grid-length answers constitutes the main feature of this Saturday crossword:

JUMPIN’ JACK FLASH (1A. 1968 hit with the line “I was raised by a toothless bearded hag”)
A HOOSIER HOLIDAY (16A. Theodore Dreiser travelogue)
NO CAUSE FOR ALARM (17A. “Don’t worry”)

ORANGE POPSICLES (32A. Alternatives to lemon ices)
TURN THE TABLES (37A. Went from being picked on to picking on, say)
ATTENTION PLEASE (38A. Announcement start)

ONE AFTER ANOTHER (55A. Seriatim)
GETS TO FIRST BASE (58A. Makes early progress)
IS THIS SEAT TAKEN (59A. Question on public transportation)

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JUMPIN’ JACK FLASH 
(Jagger/Richards)

Watch it!

I was born in a cross-fire hurricane 
And I howled at my ma in the driving rain, 
But it's all right now, in fact, it's a gas! 
But it's all right.  I'm Jumpin' Jack Flash, 
It's a Gas!  Gas!  Gas!

I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag, 
I was schooled with a strap right across my back, 
But it's all right now, in fact, it's a gas! 
But it's all right, I'm Jumpin' Jack Flash, 
It's a Gas!  Gas!  Gas!

I was drowned, I was washed up and left for dead. 
I fell down to my feet and I saw they bled. 
I frowned at the crumbs of a crust of bread. 
Yeah, yeah, yeah 
I was crowned with a spike right thru my head. 
But it's all right now, in fact, it's a gas! 
But it's all right, I'm Jumpin' Jack Flash, 
It's a Gas!  Gas!  Gas!

Jumpin’ Jack Flash, its a gas 
Jumpin’ Jack Flash, its a gas 
Jumpin’ Jack Flash, its a gas 
Jumpin’ Jack Flash, its a gas

Click on image to enlarge, 
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Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.