Tom Lehrer directed me in The Wizard of Oz at my summer camp in Maine. (Androscoggin Junior) in the early 1960s. I was awarded "Best in Camp in Dramatics" for my role as the Wicked Witch of the West. He wrote two songs especially for my part (gee, I wish I could remember them.) I do remember him sitting at the piano and serenading the camp director's wife when she walked into the room. As Yascha understands without saying as much, Tom Lehrer was politically and culturally incorrect when laughter trumped offense. RIP
"...As Yascha understands without saying as much, Tom Lehrer was politically and culturally incorrect when laughter trumped offense. RIP" Let me use my own words for RIP, which befits Tom Lehrer more than most who've either gone stiff or "transitioned": REST IN PERPETUAL PLAY aka RIPP (I live in greater RIPP town, Po'Town, Ore....)
A note for any Bay Area activistas over past half century or Chicago ward-walkers b4 then, since Berkeleyan (and former Advance PR man for The Committee as well as Impressario for Bay Area's own underground Vo-De-Ville circuit) Arnie Passman, Z"L & RRIPP (Recently Rested In Perpetual Play....) Arnoldo was only person in my 'adult life' who truly dug Tom Lehrer's sub-subversive wit & wisdom and I'm in debt to Arnoldo for tribally naming me as per East Bay specs a coupla decades back...
Being born in 1950, I endured Tom Lehrer invading my home during that halcyon decade. My parents attended his performances in San Francisco and brought home a long-playing vinyl record on which he expounded his perspectives. I was perhaps 9 years old, but found his declarations and songs utterly mesmerizing. Still do. What a talent. Thank you for the memory.
I've been listening to Tom Lehrer since I was 13. The album "That Was the Year That Was" was recorded in San Francisco in 1965. I had heard some of his songs earlier than that, since he wrote a lot of that album for the TV show "That Was the Week That Was" (TW3), which my father watched every week. My parents had the album "That Was the Year That Was", and I memorized all of the lyrics by the time I was 14. My father's favorite was "The Vatican Rag". We were Catholic, and he loved that song!
First you get down on your knees,
Fiddle with your rosaries
Bow your head with great respect
And Genuflect! Genuflect! Genuflect!
Do whatever steps you want if
You have cleared them with the Pontiff
Everybody sing his own
Kyrie Eleison
Doing the Vatican Rag!
Some of the lyrics didn't make sense to me at that early age, but that just made them funnier as I got older. By the way, TW3 was hosted by David Frost, and was originally on the BBC. NBC ran a version later (1964/65) and that was the one I watched with my father.
I purchased a CD of that album, and still enjoy listening (and singing along) to it. Thanks for the great memories!
Yascha, is your mother an opera singer or classical musician? Sandra Bullock’s mother was the German opera singer Helga Meyer. She may have known people in the German classical music scene, which could explain how she ended up at that pool party!
And then there was Tom Lehrer’s (Boy Scout song) “Be Prepared, That’s the Boy Scout Marching Song . Be prepared as in life you march along. Don’t solicit for your sister. That’s not nice. Unless you get a big percentage of her price “
So true. I remember listening to him as a kid in Oz. The Harvard football song is a classic. The Old Dope Peddler and Poisoning Pigeons are up there as well!
Don't forget The Elements. A friend of mine and I sang it to my organic chemistry professor in his office. First heard it on the college radio station.
Tom Lehrer directed me in The Wizard of Oz at my summer camp in Maine. (Androscoggin Junior) in the early 1960s. I was awarded "Best in Camp in Dramatics" for my role as the Wicked Witch of the West. He wrote two songs especially for my part (gee, I wish I could remember them.) I do remember him sitting at the piano and serenading the camp director's wife when she walked into the room. As Yascha understands without saying as much, Tom Lehrer was politically and culturally incorrect when laughter trumped offense. RIP
!!
Wow! What a wonderful memory. Thank you for sharing.
Felicitously phrased dear Jonathan B Imber....
"...As Yascha understands without saying as much, Tom Lehrer was politically and culturally incorrect when laughter trumped offense. RIP" Let me use my own words for RIP, which befits Tom Lehrer more than most who've either gone stiff or "transitioned": REST IN PERPETUAL PLAY aka RIPP (I live in greater RIPP town, Po'Town, Ore....)
A note for any Bay Area activistas over past half century or Chicago ward-walkers b4 then, since Berkeleyan (and former Advance PR man for The Committee as well as Impressario for Bay Area's own underground Vo-De-Ville circuit) Arnie Passman, Z"L & RRIPP (Recently Rested In Perpetual Play....) Arnoldo was only person in my 'adult life' who truly dug Tom Lehrer's sub-subversive wit & wisdom and I'm in debt to Arnoldo for tribally naming me as per East Bay specs a coupla decades back...
https://www.berkeleyside.org/2025/04/11/arnold-passman-obituary
Tio Mitchito aka dba
Mitch Ritter\Paradigm Sifters, Code Shifters, PsalmSong Chasers
C\O Lay-Low Studios, Ore-Wa (Refuge of A-Tone-ment Seekers)
Media Discussion List\Looksee
"Folk Song Army" is just as relevant today:
We are the Folk Song Army, every one of us cares \ We all hate poverty, war, and injustice unlike the rest of you squares
Remember the war against Franco: that's the time where each of us belongs \ Though he may have won all the battles... we had all the good songs!
So join in the Folk Song Army: guitars are the weapons we bring \ To the fight against poverty, war, and injustice: Ready! Aim! Sing!
My parents had the first album. A family friend who was a physician talked about having Tom Lehrer as his professor. The tests were written in rhyme!
Of course they were! 🤣
When you attend a funeral,
It is sad to think that sooner or
Later those you love will do the same for you.
And you may have thought it tragic,
Not to mention other adjec-
Tives, to think of all the weeping they will do.
RIP, Tom. I first listened to his music in college in the 60's, and I've loved it ever since.
A lovely tribute, Yascha. I first encountered him in Australia some 40 years ago and thought he was wickedly funny.
Being born in 1950, I endured Tom Lehrer invading my home during that halcyon decade. My parents attended his performances in San Francisco and brought home a long-playing vinyl record on which he expounded his perspectives. I was perhaps 9 years old, but found his declarations and songs utterly mesmerizing. Still do. What a talent. Thank you for the memory.
I've been listening to Tom Lehrer since I was 13. The album "That Was the Year That Was" was recorded in San Francisco in 1965. I had heard some of his songs earlier than that, since he wrote a lot of that album for the TV show "That Was the Week That Was" (TW3), which my father watched every week. My parents had the album "That Was the Year That Was", and I memorized all of the lyrics by the time I was 14. My father's favorite was "The Vatican Rag". We were Catholic, and he loved that song!
First you get down on your knees,
Fiddle with your rosaries
Bow your head with great respect
And Genuflect! Genuflect! Genuflect!
Do whatever steps you want if
You have cleared them with the Pontiff
Everybody sing his own
Kyrie Eleison
Doing the Vatican Rag!
Some of the lyrics didn't make sense to me at that early age, but that just made them funnier as I got older. By the way, TW3 was hosted by David Frost, and was originally on the BBC. NBC ran a version later (1964/65) and that was the one I watched with my father.
I purchased a CD of that album, and still enjoy listening (and singing along) to it. Thanks for the great memories!
Thank you. I thought no one under 70 knew who he was and his brilliant work. 🙏🏻 Beautiful tribute b
Yascha, is your mother an opera singer or classical musician? Sandra Bullock’s mother was the German opera singer Helga Meyer. She may have known people in the German classical music scene, which could explain how she ended up at that pool party!
My mother is a conductor! And yes, I assume that Bullock was also in Charleston for the Spoleto festival for some reason.
How interesting! Thank you for the great article!
And then there was Tom Lehrer’s (Boy Scout song) “Be Prepared, That’s the Boy Scout Marching Song . Be prepared as in life you march along. Don’t solicit for your sister. That’s not nice. Unless you get a big percentage of her price “
If you're looking for adventure of a new and different kind,
and you come upon a Girl Scout who is similarly inclined,
don't be nervous don't be flustered don't be scared,
be prepared!
Later recorded as 'Keep that pot well-hidden…' on the original recording it was 'Keep that reefer hidden…'.
He was truly a theatrical Scarlet Pimpernel in a whore-house piano player or strip joint folk club or Improv Open Mic Night tummler's drag (net).....
Long may Tom Lehrer Nights (and days when his records or video tapes kick in as anti-depressants) run!
Tio Mitchito
Mitch Ritter\Paradigm Sifters, Code Shifters, PsalmSong Chasers
Lay-Low Studios, Ore-Wa (Refuge of A-Tone-ment Seekers)
Media Discussion List\Looksee
I too grew up with Tom Lehrer, thanks to my parents…thank you Yascha for the great clips and remembrance:)
So true. I remember listening to him as a kid in Oz. The Harvard football song is a classic. The Old Dope Peddler and Poisoning Pigeons are up there as well!
He was a huge influence in my early life!
Tom was great!
Don't forget The Elements. A friend of mine and I sang it to my organic chemistry professor in his office. First heard it on the college radio station.
If you have ever dug for vinyl LPs in a thrift store, you’ve probably come across a Tom Lehrer record. That’s how I know he even existed.