The Whiffenpoof Song
The Browns Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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!

Gentlemen songsters off on a spree
Doomed from here to eternity
Lord, have mercy on such as we
Baa baa baa!

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!

Gentlemen songsters off on a spree
Doomed from here to eternity




Lord, have mercy on such as we
Baa baa baa!...

Overall Meaning

The song "The Whiffenpoof Song" by The Browns is a tribute to a collegiate a cappella group from Yale University, called The Whiffenpoofs. The song speaks of the group's tradition of gathering at various locations, such as Mory's and Temple Bar, to sing their heart out while raising a toast to the occasion. The Whiffenpoofs have a magical effect on their listeners with their singing that has an almost hypnotic quality. The song mentions a few classic tunes that The Whiffenpoofs are known to sing, such as "Shall I Wasting" and "Mavourneen," which transcend generations and bring back a sense of nostalgia to everyone present.


The second half of the song speaks of the group members as being "poor little lambs who have lost their way" and "little black sheep who have gone astray." These lines depict how the gentlemen songsters are on a spree, and they know that they are doomed from here to eternity. The song ends with a plea to the Lord to have mercy on them. The whimsical nature of this lighthearted piece captures the essence of The Whiffenpoofs perfectly.


Line by Line Meaning

To the tables down at Mory's
Let's go to the tables at Mory's and have some fun.


To the place where Louie dwells
To the place where our dear friend Louie lives.


To the dear old Temple bar we love so well
Let's go to our beloved Temple bar that we cherish so much.


Sing the Whiffenpoofs assembled with their glasses raised on high
Let's sing with the Whiffenpoofs, holding our glasses up high.


And the magic of their singing casts it's spell
Their enchanting singing has a magical effect on us.


Yes, the magic of their singing of the songs we love so well
Their magical singing of the songs we adore.


"Shall I Wasting" and "Mavourneen" and the rest
Including the songs "Shall I Wasting" and "Mavourneen" among others.


We will serenade our Louie while life and voice shall last
We'll keep singing for our Louie until our last breath.


Then we'll pass and be forgotten with the rest
After our time has passed, we too will be forgotten like everyone else.


We're poor little lambs who have lost our way
We're like helpless little lambs who don't know where to go.


Baa, baa, baa
Baa, baa, baa.


We're little black sheep who have gone astray
We're like lost black sheep who have gone off the path.


Gentleman songsters off on a spree
We are refined singers, out on a night of fun.


Doomed from here to eternity
Bound for an eternity of damnation.


Lord have mercy on such as we
Please, Lord, show mercy to such sinners like us.


Baa, baa, baa
Baa, baa, baa.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Lawren Nyalau

… To the tables down at Mory's
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
We will serenade our Louie while life and voice shall last
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

DRKru matters

HEAVENLY HARMONIES!!

More Versions