Tom Lehrer - National Brotherhood Week

Mr. Pessimistic

This is a funny song! I discovered this song on a wacky mixed tape a friend made me.

National Brotherhood Week:

Oh, the white folks hate the black folks,
And the black folks hate the white folks.
To hate all but the right folks
Is an old established rule.

But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
Lena Horne and Sheriff Clarke are dancing cheek to cheek.
It's fun to eulogize
The people you despise,
As long as you don't let 'em in your school.

Oh, the poor folks hate the rich folks,
And the rich folks hate the poor folks.
All of my folks hate all of your folks,
It's American as apple pie.

But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
New Yorkers love the Puerto Ricans 'cause it's very chic.
Step up and shake the hand
Of someone you can't stand.
You can tolerate him if you try.

Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics,
And the Catholics hate the Protestants,
And the Hindus hate the Moslems,
And everybody hates the Jews.

But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
It's National Everyone-smile-at-one-another-hood Week.
Be nice to people who
Are inferior to you.
It's only for a week, so have no fear.
Be grateful that it doesn't last all year!

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

I came to get down, I came to get down. So get out ya seat and jump around - House of Pain

HEY! Is that a ball in your court? - Mr. P

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Tiarella · Intern Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Posts: 152 Gender:

Please tell me you're also familiar with The Vatican Rag!

It's even funnier!

Mr. Pessimistic

I never heard that...is that Tim as well?

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

I came to get down, I came to get down. So get out ya seat and jump around - House of Pain

HEY! Is that a ball in your court? - Mr. P

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Tiarella · Intern Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Posts: 152 Gender:

Oh, yes! If you google him, you should be able to find the lyrics.

He put out several albums, as I recall - my oldest brother had two.

ADO15 · Intern Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 189 Gender:

Tom Lehrer is a genius! I love his stuff.

And only he could sing the Periodic Table!

_________________________________________________________

Issha Zetsumei

Tiarella · Intern Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Posts: 152 Gender:

Links, links - here's a link to Tom Lehrer lyrics:

members.aol.com/quentncree/lehrer/

Site says it has some MIDI sound files.

eta: Yup, the music played as I read the lyrics to The Vatican Rag. It's not a recording of him singing, though.

Edited by: Tiarella at: 10/22/04 3:37 pm

AirPrang

I had all of his songs on LP and really need to do something about getting them on CD.

I nearly died laughing the first time I heard The Vatican Rag:

Quote:
Two, four, six, eight,
Time to transubstantiate!

It still holds its magic. :lol

As much as I'm fond of so many of them (The Elements, Werner Von Braun, We'll All Go Together When We Go), my very favourite would have to be Poisoning Pigeons in the Park.

You know the very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. They don't alter their views to fit the facts. They alter the facts to fit their views. Which can be uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that need altering. The Doctor, The Face of Evil.


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