Sherman was just a television producer, most famous for the quiz show "I've Got a Secret," not at all known as a comedian or performer, and it shocked everyone in the know when songs from his album My Son, The Folk Singer became popular. In fact, president John F. Kennedy was heard singing the song Sarah Jackman. Sherman's overnight popularity suddenly ended when the nation's attention focused on Kennedy's assassination, and the nation was too sad for such up-beat musical offerings.
Sherman then slipped back into his longtime depression, and died, quietly, at the young age of 48.
You Went the Wrong Way Old King Louie
Allan Sherman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He was worse than Louis the Fifteenth
He was worse than Louis the Fourteenth
He was worse than Louis the Thirteenth
He was the worst since Louis the First
King Louis was living like a king, but the people were living rotten
So the people, they started an uprising which they called the French Revolution,
And of course you remember their battle cry, which will never be forgotten
You went the wrong way, Old King Louie
You made the population cry
'Cause all you did was sit and pet
With Marie Antoinette
In your place at Versailles
And now the country's gone kablooie
So we are giving you the air
That oughta teach you not to
Spend all your time fooling 'round
At the Folies Bergere
If you had been a nicer king,
We wouldn't do a thing,
But you were bad, you must admit
We're gonna take you and the Queen
Down to the guillotine,
And shorten you a little bit
You came the wrong way, Old King Louie
And now you ain't got far to go
Too bad you won't be here to see
That great big Eiffel Tower,
Or Brigitte Bardot
To you King Louie we say fooey
You disappointed all of France
But then what else could we expect
From a king in silk stockings
And pink satin pants
You filled your stomach with chop suey
And also crepe suzettes and steak
And when they told your wife Marie
That nobody had bread, she said
"Let 'em eat cake"
We're gonna take you and the Queen
Down to the guillotine,
It's somewhere in the heart of town
And when that fella's through
With what he's gonna do,
You'll have no place to hang your crown
You came the wrong way Old King Louie
Now we must put you on the shelf
That's why the people are revolting, 'cause Louie,
You're pretty revolting yourself!
The song by Allan Sherman titled “You Went the Wrong Way Old King Louie” is a comedic song that retells the story of the French Revolution in a humorous manner. The song describes how the French people were living in poverty and misery under the reign of King Louis XVI, whose sole preoccupation was living a lavish lifestyle at Versailles with his wife, Marie Antoinette. The people of France finally decided to rise up in a revolution to overthrow Louis XVI, and this is humorously presented in the song through the catchy and memorable chorus “You went the wrong way, Old King Louie, You made the population cry.”
In the song, the king is portrayed as a frivolous and incompetent leader who is out of touch with his people. He is criticized for his decadent lifestyle and his association with Marie Antoinette, who is portrayed as a vain and clueless queen. The song also references the famous quote attributed to Marie Antoinette, “let them eat cake,” which is presented as evidence of the queen's detachment from the suffering of the poor.
Overall, the song is a lighthearted and humorous take on a historical event that has been the subject of much serious analysis and debate. It offers a playful critique of the excesses of the French monarchy and serves to remind listeners of the importance of good leadership and empathy for the people.
Line by Line Meaning
Louis the Sixteenth was the King of France in 1789
The King of France during 1789 was Louis the Sixteenth.
He was worse than Louis the Fifteenth
Louis the Sixteenth was a worse ruler than Louis the Fifteenth.
He was worse than Louis the Fourteenth
Louis the Sixteenth was a worse ruler than Louis the Fourteenth.
He was worse than Louis the Thirteenth
Louis the Sixteenth was a worse ruler than Louis the Thirteenth.
He was the worst since Louis the First
Louis the Sixteenth was the worst ruler since Louis the First.
King Louis was living like a king, but the people were living rotten
While Louis was living luxuriously, the people of France were suffering.
So the people, they started an uprising which they called the French Revolution,
Due to the extreme conditions of France, the people initiated the French Revolution.
And of course you remember their battle cry, which will never be forgotten
The battle cry of the French Revolution is a notable aspect of the historical event.
You went the wrong way, Old King Louie
King Louis took the wrong path in ruling France.
You made the population cry
The actions of King Louis caused great sadness among the population.
'Cause all you did was sit and pet
King Louis spent his time indulging himself and his wife.
With Marie Antoinette
Louis frequently indulged in pleasures with his wife, Marie Antoinette.
In your place at Versailles
Louis lived in the colossal Palace of Versailles.
And now the country's gone kablooie
As a result of the poor governance and extreme wealth inequality, the nation experienced a deteriorated state.
So we are giving you the air
The people of France planned to execute King Louis.
That oughta teach you not to
The execution will serve as a lesson.
Spend all your time fooling 'round
King Louis wasted his time on trivial matters.
At the Folies Bergere
King Louis frequented the Folies Bergere theater.
If you had been a nicer king,
If King Louis was a kinder ruler,
We wouldn't do a thing,
The people of France would not have done anything to him.
But you were bad, you must admit
King Louis was a bad ruler, and he must own up to his actions.
We're gonna take you and the Queen
Both King Louis and his wife will be executed.
Down to the guillotine,
The method of execution was by guillotine.
And shorten you a little bit
The execution will result in physically shortening King Louis.
And now you ain't got far to go
King Louis is very close to facing his execution.
Too bad you won't be here to see
King Louis will miss out on witnessing significant cultural and artistic aspects of France.
That great big Eiffel Tower,
The Eiffel Tower was an iconic French landmark after the execution.
Or Brigitte Bardot
King Louis missed out on seeing the famous French actress, Brigitte Bardot.
To you King Louie we say fooey
The people of France have disgust towards King Louis.
You disappointed all of France
King Louis caused great disappointment among the French people.
But then what else could we expect
Considering King Louis's actions, the French people were not surprised by his downfall.
From a king in silk stockings
King Louis wore luxurious clothing.
And pink satin pants
One piece of his luxurious clothing were pink satin pants.
You filled your stomach with chop suey
King Louis ate exotic delicacies like chop suey.
And also crepe suzettes and steak
Other delicacies he ate include crepe suzettes and steak.
And when they told your wife Marie
When the people informed King Louis's wife, Marie Antoinette,
That nobody had bread, she said
Her response to the French bread shortage was,
"Let 'em eat cake"
She famously said "let them eat cake," showing her lack of understanding and empathy towards the French people's situation.
It's somewhere in the heart of town
The guillotine was in the center of town.
And when that fella's through
When the executioner finishes his job,
With what he's gonna do,
The execution process.
You'll have no place to hang your crown
King Louis will no longer have any power or authority.
Now we must put you on the shelf
King Louis's rule is over, and he will be discarded.
That's why the people are revolting, 'cause Louie,
The poor governance and wealth inequality were the reasons for the French Revolution.
You're pretty revolting yourself!
King Louis is quite revolting and deserving of his execution.
Lyrics © TUNECORE INC, TuneCore Inc., Songtrust Ave
Written by: Allan Sherman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
goldenskyhook
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