The Whiffenpoof Song
Count Basie & The Mills Brothers Lyrics
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To the place where Louie dwells
To the dear old Temple bar we love so well
Sing the Whiffenpoofs assembled with their glasses raised on high
And the magic of their singing casts it's spell
Yes, the magic of their singing of the songs we love so well
"Shall I Wasting" and "Mavourneen" and the rest
Then we'll pass and be forgotten with the rest
We're poor little lambs who have lost our way
Baa, baa, baa
We're little black sheep who have gone astray
Baa, baa, baa
Gentleman songsters off on a spree
Doomed from here to eternity
Lord have mercy on such as we
Baa, baa, baa
The Whiffenpoof Song is a well-known song that has become an integral part of college culture in the US. The song is a tribute to the Whiffenpoofs, an a capella group from Yale University that was founded in 1909. The lyrics of the song represent the Whiffenpoofs' tradition of drinking and singing, and their love for their alma mater.
The song opens with the Whiffenpoofs being called to their favorite drinking establishments such as Mory's and the Temple Bar. The magic of their singing and their love for the songs they sing creates an atmosphere that casts a spell on everyone who hears them. The song mentions several classic songs that the Whiffenpoofs sing, such as "Shall I Wasting" and "Mavourneen." They sing to their friend Louie, and promise to always remember him even when they are gone and forgotten.
The chorus of the song, which goes "Baa, baa, baa," has a deeper meaning. The Whiffenpoofs refer to themselves as "poor little lambs who have lost our way" and "little black sheep who have gone astray." These lyrics speak to the fact that the Whiffenpoofs are not just a group of singers but also people who are struggling to find their way in life. The verse ends with them asking for the mercy of the Lord.
Line by Line Meaning
To the tables down at Mory's
To the gathering place where we drink and share stories with friends
To the place where Louie dwells
To the home of our friend Louie, who we will honor with song
To the dear old Temple bar we love so well
To the beloved bar where we have spent many happy moments and will continue to do so
Sing the Whiffenpoofs assembled with their glasses raised on high
We, the Whiffenpoofs, will sing together with our glasses raised to celebrate this occasion
And the magic of their singing casts its spell
The power and beauty of our singing combine to create a mesmerizing effect
Yes, the magic of their singing of the songs we love so well
We are known for our ability to perform our favorite tunes to perfection
"Shall I Wasting" and "Mavourneen" and the rest
Examples of the songs that we love and perform better than anyone else
We will serenade our Louie while life and voice shall last
We will sing for our friend Louie for as long as we are able
Then we'll pass and be forgotten with the rest
Eventually we will be gone and our memory will fade like everyone else's
We're poor little lambs who have lost our way
We are like helpless little animals who don't know where to go in life
Baa, baa, baa
Expressing our vulnerability and uncertainty with the sound of a lamb's cry
We're little black sheep who have gone astray
We are like outcast members of society, who don't fit in and have made mistakes
Gentleman songsters off on a spree
Referring to ourselves as refined singers who are on a wild adventure
Doomed from here to eternity
Seemingly destined to continue this pattern of behavior for the rest of our lives
Lord have mercy on such as we
Asking for forgiveness and guidance for our flawed selves
Baa, baa, baa
Repeating the lamb cry to emphasize our vulnerability and imperfection
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TOD GALLOWAY, TOD B GALLOWAY, MOSS HART, MEADE MINNIGERODE, GEORGE S POMEROY, RUDY VALLEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind