tiresome, tiresome, tiresome...these characters feel they have absolute license, but criticize them just a little and it's, oy oi'm bein' poisakooted!
Many catholic schools aren't as uptight as they were before the sixties. My grandnieces go to catholic schools and they're not nearly as nuts and abusive (verbally, pychologically) as in the past. The Sex abuse stuff was unheard of then but it must have occurred then, too. Inexcuseable.
@elvi1961 Please give me an example of fiction you found in Rick Jones' book. I have personally examined it and found it adheres to biblical doctrine. Thank you.
There was a day when this tune would have greatly offended me, however, upon researching Roman Catholicism objectively and with an open mind I found out it is a farce. Most of their doctrines do not agree with any decent bible, in fact, they don't even agree with any Catholic bible either. Don't believe me?...then get the book Understanding Roman Catholicism by Rick Jones and soon you will be enjoying this Tom Lehrer tune. The truth will se you free!
@JRNipper So Rich Jones has the goods? There are many Catholics who do not believe every word of doctrine picked up over 2000 years but they are good folks who want to make change and better the church. Lots of work to do!
@5218bunny The bible has the goods, Rick Jones only presents biblical doctrines in comparison to Roman Catholic doctrines. The RCC may have been in-line with the bible at one time long ago, but over time it has strayed from God's Word. God & His Word never change, but many churches have changed a great many things in that regard. Read a bible and find out the truth, it will set you free! The only way to better a church is to adhere to the bible & no other authority (papal or otherwise).
@JRNipper Gods Word doesn't change, but the interpretation of His words does. And with respect to interpretation, protestants have been all over the place. If I'd want to become protestant, how would I know which interpretation might be right? At least the catholics chose one interpretation and stuck to it.
@Lathuvan Stay away from all of it....it's nothing but superstitious nonsense and you will lead a happier, healthier guilt-free life. When truths are told instead of concluded, what you have is a cult.....not scientific evidence.
Believe it or not, years ago I did this song in male drag as a priest. This was years before male drag had been thought of. The audience (in a gay bar) LOVED it.
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When I last went to mass with my friend who is also a Lehrer fan, he said '2, 4, 6, 8' just before the Eucharistic prayer finished and it took all my willpower to stop myself from laughing.
I had a lot of these songs on my iPod, I accidentally deleted my Tom Lehrer playlist which, to Apple's infinite wisdom, deletes the actual songs themselves!
I have tried to find the exact versions to the songs as I like them better than most of the versions I can find online.
@Wiinajamizzi they plan on making a one world religion the. plan will take place around the 2012 olympics. they're going to take advantage of the prediction that the world will end in 2012. look it up.
@Wiinajamizzi as a matter of fact look up "Rik Clay" a man who committed suicide(murdered) after exposing a lot of coincidental facts about the government, everything around us and the 2012 olympics. Have a nice day.
@casestudyification, yes, Lehrer is alive and well. Play the YouTube video "Tom Lehrer talks" and you will understand why he does not sign albums, give autographs or why he does not promote the 2010 release of The Tom Lehrer Collection (CD/DVD). Thank you for watching Lehrer live on video :-)
@Tamashi88, well, a lot of people have used and/or covered this song over the years. In this video, you can watch Tom Lehrer perform his song in 1967. Lehrer first released "The Vatican Rag" on the album "That Was The Year That Was" (Reprise Records R/RS 6179) in 1965, so the "original" is on that record.
@Tamashi88 There is a revue called "Tom Foolery" made up entirely of TL songs, and this is done by a chorus - we did it with a dance in blazers and boaters a la minstrel shows.
@swagzi, well, The Vatican Rag was 1964 and Super Mario Bros. (music composed by Koji Kondo) was 1985. But ragtime as music became popular in the late 1890´s ;-)
Obviously another casualty of Catholic education. If only the public schools could educate as well as the Catholic schools and yet not have all the ritual insanity. Maybe that IS their secret!
I saw a Tom Lehrer revival cabaret show in the 80's - one of the funniest productions I've ever seen. Wish I had been around when TWTWTW was originally on the air!
@MoreMedication I was around for That Was The Week That Was. It was on Fri. Night, I believe. Very funny and up to the minute. The Nuns hated the Vatican Rag but apartfrom the bit about chewing the wafer which is sacriligious to a catholic, we all loved it as teen-ager rebel Catholics. Great fun to hear it again. At that time we weren't able to drink the wine. Later we did. At least some of us did. Not me as it seems weird to those of us who were raised pre Vatican 2. Bring back John xxiii!
@5218bunny You know something is truly funny when it makes you laugh just as hard as it did 50 years after you first heard it :) As one Catholic to another, if you get the chance to see SISTER MARY IGNATIOUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU, you must go. It's essentially a one-woman play, whereby Sister Mary attempts to clarify the catechism, Vaticans I & II, and even stigmata to the pagans in the audience. You don't have to be Catholic to enjoy it, but it helps. It brings back those kilt memories ...
@bookwoman53, please use the link under the video window or, better still: expand the video description and enjoy all the Tom Lehrer links there. Thank you :-)
I'm not Catholic, but go on retreat once or twice a year at a little retreat centre that is both retreat centre and a retirement home for nuns.
If I go on retreat this spring and get this song going through my mind when I'm at Mass or talking with the nuns who live at the Centre, the person who sent me this video is going to be in BIG trouble. ;p
Until now I had never seen this guy perform. I'm glad they posted some samples of his new DVD to YouTube. Watching him perform really adds to the song.
Take a moment and laugh for once! Spend 6 months in Iraq or Afghanistan (and not even get an afghan out of the deal) and you'll learn make fun of life. My Jewish friends do make fun of Judiasm but nobody takes as many liberties Catholics. I knew a priest who had more Catholic jokes than Aggies know Aggie jokes!! I'm with you harryslide!!
Jews make fun of Judaism frequently, I know-fine. But name an instance where a non-Jew does, to Lehrer's extent, i.e., to the very core of the religion. I love Lehrer, and have for ca. 44 years. But it is in very bad taste, imo, for someone of a different religion to so abjectly excoriate the basic tenets of another's faith.
Try it with Islam. Now that would be great tragi-comedy!
@harryslide I don't mean to be rude but if you can't take a joke at your expense you probably shouldn't laugh at jokes made at others' expense either. Should you only be allowed to make jokes about whatever group you belong to? What a boring world that would be.
As for (extremist) Islamists, do you really want to compare your views with theirs? Doesn't that weaken your argument instead of strengthening it? :)
This is great. I love it. I'm not catholic, but it wouldn't matter. I've heard a few comedy dongs that make fun of my faith and I love them too. I think the creator must look down sometimes and just shake his head, chuckling, "Those humans. I needed a good laugh."
and as for burning Christians because they don't share your religious beliefs... I'm not for burning anybody, but I think you have it backwards. People are angry with "Christians" for trying to force their beliefs on the rest of us and telling us our beliefs are wrong.
first heard this around 1968 in Catholic elementary school. We all got a great kick out of it, and having lived through Vatican 2 made it all the more humorous. It was a tad irreverent, but nobody got upset or excited about it. Catholicism was actually relevant and enjoyable then. Times have changed. Bring back a sense of humor.
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I'm going to burn the Vatican down one day, I swear, It will be in flames. FUCK this false prophet, portray me as evil because i have my own free will. Because I don't rely on fake gods to guide my life, because I am stronger than you! Heil satan, Desecrate any proof that Christianity was ever existent, kill this sick evil. How fucking stupid must you be to believe, Ill tell you how, you have to be scared, lost, and all alone to use this as a reason to live. DIE IN FIRE.
The best Catholic jokes in the world are told among the priests themselves in the seminaries. And, to "harryslide," there have always been plenty of parodies about Jews BY Jews especially, but by others too. Where have you been?
I've always loved this nifty parody, but when I learned he's a Jew, it sort of becomes dirty, and in very poor taste. Funny, one never hears parodies on Judaism. It's one thing to make fun of one's own religious heritage, but quite another when it's made fun of by someone not of that culture. Same thing with one's country.
@harryslide You obviously have never heard any of the two million Jewish comics ragging on their own faith. LOL I know a hundred Jewish jokes that I learned from my Rabbi. :)
In terms of ethnicity, yes, Lehrer is Jewish. In terms of religious belief, he is more of an apatheist.
Would Mr. Zamboro elucidate his statement? I do not wish to ignore the psychological reasons involved. We are all aware that religion often provides the cloak to the dagger, and it may be used as justification for horrific actions, but I contentd that there was more to these acts than simply 'religious belief' as I had once portrayed.
For the record: "The Vatican Rag" is actually making fun of the liberalization of the Catholic Church that occurred during Vatican II in the 1960s. It could be argued that it is a very pro-Catholic song.
No, not really. Lehrer is an apatheist. He doesn't know, he doesn't quite care, and he is definitely not 'spiritual' in the sense we use the term, but he's not really antireligious. He is much more interested in quantum mechanics and mathematics (fitting and appropriate, wouldn't you say?).
This song is likely a satire of the Church's traditions, and shows Lehrer's views of all the formality, rules, & rituals within. Doesn't really matter though, he's as funny as ever! :o)
Good grief, would everyone care to recall that old Newsweek article? The one that states that priests are no more likely to abuse children than zoologists, teachers, or accountants? The reason we hear of abusive priests is because their congregations gave them a degree of trust. Those who do not break such a trust because they were never really given it aren't news material in the eyes of the media.
Truth be told, I *have* heard of a scientist and teacher who abused his student.
@JustOneMoreChild The main issue with the RCC is not that some of its priests happened to be pedophiles and abusers. It's what happened after these events came to light. If a Teachers' Ass'n, upon learning that a fellow teacher was molesting the kids in his care, blackballed the authorities and sent the offender to a different school with a 'blank slate', then we'd have an analogous situation.
@Cafeeine I agree, the hierarchy has, to borrow a friend's words, screwed up royally. The failures to report such abuse to secular authorities were (and are) a breach of trust. The fact that the bishops either failed to take notice of the abuse, or hoped the miserable thing would pass, is an indication of gross irresponsibility.
I do hope that churches, if they learn anything from this, understand that concealment of these cases whether active or passive is morally inexcusable.
@JustOneMoreChild wow im astonished that someone is actually defending preists. yes people of other professions also abuse children but when they do it the get prosecuted not just transfered to spread the abuse. But its impossible to argue with faith. Faith trumps all, it's undebatable ps the vatican has one of the highest crime rates in world. and what a lovely name, you must also be a preist
@NoWitnessesNoRegrets please read my earlier posts, particularly the middle in the set of three I posted a day ago. Also recall that 'way back then' (read: 1960's & 70's when a majority of the sexual abuse occured) people (read: psychologists & psychiatrists) believed that such conditions could be cured. It's likely that the hierarchy of the time hoped that these waywards would reform. They didn't. It was their catastrophic error.
I'm really hoping you're not generalising the entire population of priests, many were a bit more horrified at what had been occuring than most. How would you feel if you found out that someone you held to be a respected brother betrayed his vows, or was complicit in concealing such dreck, in such a reprehensible manner?
@JustOneMoreChild In UK, abuse has been rampant for centuries, not just rape but in some cases murder. My father has 2 Irish friends who where abused by their preist for the whole of their childhood but they never reported him in later life due to shame. Also my granfather was a brilliant man until he became religious in 1946. By 1947 he was a changed man and beggan sexually abussing my (at the time) 4 year old mother because god told him to.
"Because God told him too." Where in the Bible or in any mainstream religion does it say to molest a 4 year old girl? The fact is that abuse of all kinds has occured through the ages both within religious institutions and outside them. Your references to these massacres is like me cherry picking my Bible verses. Not only that, but what these events 'tell' me is that men will abuse their power due to egocentrism and a quest for glory.
@JustOneMoreChild 1978 - Jonestown, Victims: 914 god told them to. 1993 - Waco Texas,Victims:74 god told them to. 1997 - Heaven's Gate Cult, Victims: 39 god told them to. 1995 - AUM Supreme truth, Victims - 12 dead, 6000 injured, god told them to. 2000 - Uganda, Victims: 924 god told them to 2001 - World Trade Towers, Victims: nearly 3000, god told them to. Can u see a patern. I could list hundreds more. Its not about preists its about religion,
To your old Weinberg quote (which goes "...but for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.") I posit this somewhat newer quote: "Good people will go on doing good things, evil people will go on doing evil things. But good people will do evil things, & evil people will do good things whether or not they are religious. We are all human." For "Religion has done little, but it has inspired both good and evil in the ages of the world."
Blaming religiously motivated violence on "human nature" totally ignores the psychological reasons involved. It's something religious people do to deflect blame from religion. So long as they *only* look that deeply into the matter they never have to trouble themselves with examples that don't fit the "human nature" explanation.
@NoWitnessesNoRegrets Quite a tally, there. I'm sure you're feeling very smug. In fact, many people have been killed in the name of religion gone bad/mad. But how about 100,000,000 dead in the 20th century due to far left communism? Stalin, Mao. Pol Pot, etc. Which gods were involved there? The New York Times, maybe? Dashiell Hammit and his lovely wife? Most if not all of the big time lefties of the era were cheering them on, as would many here. Yes, let's just get rid of the bourgeois creeps.
Far left communism?? Don't you mean barking mad dictators. You take things on face value and you really have no idea what their true spiritual leanings were. Or for that matter how religion moulded their upbringing, thought processes and ultimately their actions. Truth betold, murdererous psychopaths will always find some justification for their actions, why give credence to mumbo jumbo, why not just remove it as an excuse altogether.
The Vatican has one of the highest crime rates because crime rates are found via population. Having around 900 citizens at most, 900 thefts a year by pickpockets dropping by to snatch a purse or wallet from the hundreds and thousands that pass through each day would lead to figures of over 100%. That being said, one should take into account that the vast majority of crime is committed by pickpockets who are not part of that aforementioned 900.
@mimikechan what i mean is that he is not mocking god, but the practises of the church, for example, nowhere in the bible does it say that you have to confess your sins to your priest, but the cathlic church does it, what i mean is that there are many differences between mocking god and the cathlic church, i believe that roman cathlics have every right ot be offended if they are indeed so, but this is not aimed at mocking god, but the church
But more importantly i think it's a amazing song haha
Boy is this a fun song! Tom - one of my heroes!! I have laughed at your outrageous songs for years. And in the new millenium catholics (like myself) have precious little to smile about! TL would probably not write hilarious songs about today's mess in the catholic church. So thank God for this one. In a comment someone asks if jesus would've laughed at this song. I think he is. Apart from that - isn't Jesus Jewish when all comes to all ???
One point, kind of connected to this song---long time ago was an altered (did that spelling like that) boy and after the service asked the Irish Priest if I could have a small glass of the wine! WOW NOT BAD! Still perfer the Jew wine I have in the Refreg---Mogen David--BLACKBERRY and not the priest was cool not a pervert---
Tom came along the 50s & 60s; totally funny, no matter if Democratic or Republican during that time---Today, 2010 everyone is so "uptight" as in "u had better nor offend me or I will SUE U!" Hell remember those good old Polish jokes? Worked at Griffith Obeservatory 70s & one of the Sr Engineers was Polish & told me a great Polish Joke--ask someone who says a 'Polish Joke" "can you speak 'Polish'?" The ans they will say is usually "no"---then say, how does if feel being dumber than a "Pollock?"
@Cafeeine IF we and others cannot laugh at them/our/selves then the Dark Ages of Free Thinking has gone out so we have to make sure that the matches and candles we lite are waterproof and cannot be blown out! Thanks for the comment and observations! See the interview of Mel Brooks concerning the use of the "N word" in the movie BLAZING SADDLES---the use of the "N words" was to bring attention to "racist attitudes--also there is only ONE RACE---The Human Race---Good comments from u take care!
i don't see why everyone's getting so angry, he isn't mocking god but just teasing the traditions of the church...it's not like he's attacking the christian faith :/
@maciver95 as someone who is irreligious (and agnostic) I find your comment confusing - first you say he's not mocking god, just the church, and then you differentiate between that and the Christian faith? The trappings of religion appear to be somewhat important, otherwise why would we have so many different faiths which ostensibly believe in the same God?
Incidentally, I find Tom Lehrer hilarious, just so you know :D
My brother first heard this song on the Doctor Demento show and taped it. He wanted to play it for my mother, but she refused to listen. Then he wanted to play it for the associate pastor from our church, she said, "Johnny, don't you dare play The Vatican Rag." Father Bob (as we called him) said, "Oh, I know that one!" and sang it himself!
Hahaha! Funny. Good to see Catholics with a sense of humor. Can you imagine the uproar--and how fast this vid would be taken down--were he singing about Islam?
In 1980 was at South Coast Plaza a mall (the "owners of it want it called "A Retail Center'---I call it a MALL) well anyway there was a record shop closing out and was able to get all his albums for about 2.00 a piece!--Still have them! Remember hearing his "music" in the 60's...way to funny!
@alnot01 True, but they are both cut from the same cloth, they both like to spear the zeitgeist and deflate the ego of the high and mighty, we need more people like that.
With the new translation coming out, we need a Vatican Rag: Part 2.
thevampirefrog06 1 week ago
he forgot the coffee and donuts.
Frogiful 3 weeks ago
Tom Lehrer--the wisest Jew since Solomon!
Charliecomet82 3 weeks ago
Wow. Talk about ahead of his time!
nerdwonder 4 weeks ago
I've just fallen in love with an elderly Jew. This guy is as hilarious as he is brilliant!
neonshoji 1 month ago
tiresome, tiresome, tiresome...these characters feel they have absolute license, but criticize them just a little and it's, oy oi'm bein' poisakooted!
sallieparker 2 months ago
I would have loved to attend one of his classes - unfortunately, Harvard wasn't in my cards.
oniyaajila 2 months ago
Many catholic schools aren't as uptight as they were before the sixties. My grandnieces go to catholic schools and they're not nearly as nuts and abusive (verbally, pychologically) as in the past. The Sex abuse stuff was unheard of then but it must have occurred then, too. Inexcuseable.
5218bunny 2 months ago
Fucking hell... this guy blows my mind.
MGMT1580 2 months ago
@elvi1961 Please give me an example of fiction you found in Rick Jones' book. I have personally examined it and found it adheres to biblical doctrine. Thank you.
JRNipper 2 months ago
This is the best commentary on the Vatican II revolution ever penned.
malbamope 2 months ago
There was a day when this tune would have greatly offended me, however, upon researching Roman Catholicism objectively and with an open mind I found out it is a farce. Most of their doctrines do not agree with any decent bible, in fact, they don't even agree with any Catholic bible either. Don't believe me?...then get the book Understanding Roman Catholicism by Rick Jones and soon you will be enjoying this Tom Lehrer tune. The truth will se you free!
JRNipper 3 months ago
@JRNipper So Rich Jones has the goods? There are many Catholics who do not believe every word of doctrine picked up over 2000 years but they are good folks who want to make change and better the church. Lots of work to do!
5218bunny 2 months ago
@5218bunny The bible has the goods, Rick Jones only presents biblical doctrines in comparison to Roman Catholic doctrines. The RCC may have been in-line with the bible at one time long ago, but over time it has strayed from God's Word. God & His Word never change, but many churches have changed a great many things in that regard. Read a bible and find out the truth, it will set you free! The only way to better a church is to adhere to the bible & no other authority (papal or otherwise).
JRNipper 2 months ago
@JRNipper Gods Word doesn't change, but the interpretation of His words does. And with respect to interpretation, protestants have been all over the place. If I'd want to become protestant, how would I know which interpretation might be right? At least the catholics chose one interpretation and stuck to it.
Lathuvan 2 months ago
@Lathuvan Stay away from all of it....it's nothing but superstitious nonsense and you will lead a happier, healthier guilt-free life. When truths are told instead of concluded, what you have is a cult.....not scientific evidence.
PhysicsProf1 1 month ago
Believe it or not, years ago I did this song in male drag as a priest. This was years before male drag had been thought of. The audience (in a gay bar) LOVED it.
Christina5Archer 3 months ago
@Christina5Archer: Shakespeare created the term "drag": It means, basically, "DRessed As a Girl."
AnonyFerret 2 months ago
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sworrin11 3 months ago
ahhh DVD should be here any day now, can't wait :D
laudevecchi 4 months ago
Is is bad if i'm a catholic and i liked this song? :\
DrinkToIreland 4 months ago 5
ave maria! that latin right?
joshuamyler 5 months ago
949 viewers' sins are not original.
BettyJoBialofski 5 months ago
When I last went to mass with my friend who is also a Lehrer fan, he said '2, 4, 6, 8' just before the Eucharistic prayer finished and it took all my willpower to stop myself from laughing.
mozart9101 6 months ago 6
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i didn't find this funny or offensive. but, then again, i'm baptist. zappa's "catholic girls" is funny stuff. this i just didn't get.
MrWrestlefan91 6 months ago
Comment removed
MrWrestlefan91 6 months ago
Amazing man he is..Being a Scientist-Musician is a reward in itself
chan625 6 months ago
49 viewers are pissed-off Catholics.
mokkshaa 6 months ago
@mokkshaa They're probably fiddling with their rosaries right now.
xJoeEDangerouslyx 5 months ago
@mokkshaa How could we hate a song that's so much more orthodox than contemporary liturgical music?
benabaxter 5 months ago 2
I had a lot of these songs on my iPod, I accidentally deleted my Tom Lehrer playlist which, to Apple's infinite wisdom, deletes the actual songs themselves!
I have tried to find the exact versions to the songs as I like them better than most of the versions I can find online.
It's all rather frustrating.
EmptyWalls100 6 months ago
:(
SomethingCklever 6 months ago
religion will always be a great joke
XtraordinaryBeing 7 months ago 41
@XtraordinaryBeing don't worry the government has a plan to get rid of it.
DieWalrossen 4 months ago
@DieWalrossen which one?
Wiinajamizzi 4 months ago
@Wiinajamizzi 2012 olympics in london very soon.
DieWalrossen 4 months ago
@DieWalrossen That's very surprising, but warmly received news.
Wiinajamizzi 4 months ago
@Wiinajamizzi they plan on making a one world religion the. plan will take place around the 2012 olympics. they're going to take advantage of the prediction that the world will end in 2012. look it up.
DieWalrossen 4 months ago
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@DieWalrossen
In response to the top comment you said: "don't worry the government has a plan to get rid of it."
later you stated: "they plan on making a one world religion" < contradiction plz explain?
Wiinajamizzi 4 months ago
@Wiinajamizzi as a matter of fact look up "Rik Clay" a man who committed suicide(murdered) after exposing a lot of coincidental facts about the government, everything around us and the 2012 olympics. Have a nice day.
DieWalrossen 4 months ago
This guy is like the Wierd Al of the 50's/60's to me. He makes great songs that just have goofy words.
lilmissmusic2012 7 months ago 2
as a catholic, i find this rather hilarious.
Richierua 7 months ago 5
@Richierua
Of course, after all if my old parish priest enjoys it, why can't we?
JustOneMoreChild 5 months ago
@JustOneMoreChild I wouldn't apply that to everything your old parish priest enjoys....
Hugh7777 3 months ago
whenever i go to church, this song plays in my head
battlemodeactivate 7 months ago 5
AHHHH Priceless, where is Dr.Demento when we need him
mearp69 8 months ago
....Is this song about masterbation?
TomReeseqazwsx 8 months ago
@TomReeseqazwsx um, hell no. it's satirizing the roman catholic church...
DefoliantProjector 8 months ago 2
@DefoliantProjector
Oh. Then I totally misinterpreted the getting on one's knees, fiddling with one's rosary, and genuflect genuflect genufap fap fap.
TomReeseqazwsx 8 months ago
definintely not as good as the one i heard on CD :!@!!! ;
1027dickinson 8 months ago
@1027dickinson yes it is!
1loveshop 8 months ago
I've always wanted to sing this for a variety show, wearing a naughty nun costume.
babymoondancer 8 months ago
bought the album/dvd from amazon, its awesome!
NassimHarameinVedas 8 months ago 9
@NassimHarameinVedas, I love it when people buy Lehrer' s songs because then they will be taken care of ;-)
6funswede 8 months ago 3
"Ave Maria- gee it's good to see ya!!" Is Tom Lehrer still living? I always wanted to get him to sign an album.
casestudyification 8 months ago 4
@casestudyification, yes, Lehrer is alive and well. Play the YouTube video "Tom Lehrer talks" and you will understand why he does not sign albums, give autographs or why he does not promote the 2010 release of The Tom Lehrer Collection (CD/DVD). Thank you for watching Lehrer live on video :-)
6funswede 8 months ago 6
@casestudyification Yes he is and is living in the vicinity of UC Santa Cruz.....where he's oftimes seen.
PhysicsProf1 1 month ago
So sorry it doesn't have text. I'm deaf. Bummer !
billwalkerable 8 months ago
@billwalkerable, just google for the words "bright Tom Lehrer days" and then check out the lyrics to the album "That Was The Year That Was" :-)
6funswede 8 months ago
Brilliant!!
Allotmenteer2 8 months ago
did someone do a cover of this? I know the lyrics but I don't know the voice.
I think this was the original so I asume the one in my head is a cover... can anyone clear this up for me please?
Tamashi88 9 months ago
@Tamashi88, well, a lot of people have used and/or covered this song over the years. In this video, you can watch Tom Lehrer perform his song in 1967. Lehrer first released "The Vatican Rag" on the album "That Was The Year That Was" (Reprise Records R/RS 6179) in 1965, so the "original" is on that record.
6funswede 9 months ago
@6funswede oh I see thank you for your help.
Tamashi88 9 months ago
@Tamashi88 Maybe Marty Feldman?
bibhuna 9 months ago
@Tamashi88 There is a revue called "Tom Foolery" made up entirely of TL songs, and this is done by a chorus - we did it with a dance in blazers and boaters a la minstrel shows.
Hugh7777 3 months ago
@swagzi, well, The Vatican Rag was 1964 and Super Mario Bros. (music composed by Koji Kondo) was 1985. But ragtime as music became popular in the late 1890´s ;-)
6funswede 9 months ago
Obviously another casualty of Catholic education. If only the public schools could educate as well as the Catholic schools and yet not have all the ritual insanity. Maybe that IS their secret!
Satchmoeddie 9 months ago
I'm sure everyone knows this but I'll say it anyway: This guy is a GENIUS!
patrickgomes15 9 months ago
I would die happy if I could do all those twiddly right hand bits on the piano whilst singing a song! This guy is as incisive as a knife is.
kevinastraw 9 months ago
The confestionals aren't THAT small! They're actually quite roomy at St. Margurites...
CyCloppsProductions 9 months ago
ROFL
foojuice101 9 months ago
Awesome, yet weird...
PS3rocks7513 9 months ago
I saw a Tom Lehrer revival cabaret show in the 80's - one of the funniest productions I've ever seen. Wish I had been around when TWTWTW was originally on the air!
Thanks for the upload - Cheers, Keiko
MoreMedication 9 months ago
@MoreMedication, thank you for watching :-)
6funswede 9 months ago
@MoreMedication I was around for That Was The Week That Was. It was on Fri. Night, I believe. Very funny and up to the minute. The Nuns hated the Vatican Rag but apartfrom the bit about chewing the wafer which is sacriligious to a catholic, we all loved it as teen-ager rebel Catholics. Great fun to hear it again. At that time we weren't able to drink the wine. Later we did. At least some of us did. Not me as it seems weird to those of us who were raised pre Vatican 2. Bring back John xxiii!
5218bunny 2 months ago
@5218bunny You know something is truly funny when it makes you laugh just as hard as it did 50 years after you first heard it :) As one Catholic to another, if you get the chance to see SISTER MARY IGNATIOUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU, you must go. It's essentially a one-woman play, whereby Sister Mary attempts to clarify the catechism, Vaticans I & II, and even stigmata to the pagans in the audience. You don't have to be Catholic to enjoy it, but it helps. It brings back those kilt memories ...
MoreMedication 2 months ago
AMAZING as well as FUNNY!
metalman895 10 months ago
heÿ_pásst_hïèr_nêt_rèìn_åbá_ïch_bîn_sø_êiñsàm_wíll_jèmãnd_mit_míà_schreìbêñ
KittyayFelicaej28 10 months ago
What's the name of the DVD?
bookwoman53 10 months ago
@bookwoman53, please use the link under the video window or, better still: expand the video description and enjoy all the Tom Lehrer links there. Thank you :-)
6funswede 10 months ago
Genius lyrics, and pretty amazing piano work too. Awesome.
philWynk 10 months ago
This song is hysterical!!!
1122DLAN 10 months ago
I'm not Catholic, but go on retreat once or twice a year at a little retreat centre that is both retreat centre and a retirement home for nuns.
If I go on retreat this spring and get this song going through my mind when I'm at Mass or talking with the nuns who live at the Centre, the person who sent me this video is going to be in BIG trouble. ;p
RainShowers2505 10 months ago 5
LOL @ people who use the comments section of "The Vatican Rag" video to debate religion.
Lairor 11 months ago 53
@Lairor, yes, isn´t that amazing? Heh heh...
6funswede 8 months ago 2
Until now I had never seen this guy perform. I'm glad they posted some samples of his new DVD to YouTube. Watching him perform really adds to the song.
neujack 11 months ago
lol...is he christian...you got to love tom lehrer
pazietazie 11 months ago
After reading more of the comments...
Chairman Mao? Oh, please!
Take a moment and laugh for once! Spend 6 months in Iraq or Afghanistan (and not even get an afghan out of the deal) and you'll learn make fun of life. My Jewish friends do make fun of Judiasm but nobody takes as many liberties Catholics. I knew a priest who had more Catholic jokes than Aggies know Aggie jokes!! I'm with you harryslide!!
majwiley 11 months ago
Jesus was probably laughing his ass off in heaven watching Lehrer perform this!
Unlike many of the commenters, HE has a sense of humor.
ScarletCrow 11 months ago 3
Jews make fun of Judaism frequently, I know-fine. But name an instance where a non-Jew does, to Lehrer's extent, i.e., to the very core of the religion. I love Lehrer, and have for ca. 44 years. But it is in very bad taste, imo, for someone of a different religion to so abjectly excoriate the basic tenets of another's faith.
Try it with Islam. Now that would be great tragi-comedy!
harryslide 11 months ago
@harryslide I don't mean to be rude but if you can't take a joke at your expense you probably shouldn't laugh at jokes made at others' expense either. Should you only be allowed to make jokes about whatever group you belong to? What a boring world that would be.
As for (extremist) Islamists, do you really want to compare your views with theirs? Doesn't that weaken your argument instead of strengthening it? :)
megamarsvin 11 months ago
This is great. I love it. I'm not catholic, but it wouldn't matter. I've heard a few comedy dongs that make fun of my faith and I love them too. I think the creator must look down sometimes and just shake his head, chuckling, "Those humans. I needed a good laugh."
carloak9 11 months ago
I love it!
MellaMercury 11 months ago
and as for burning Christians because they don't share your religious beliefs... I'm not for burning anybody, but I think you have it backwards. People are angry with "Christians" for trying to force their beliefs on the rest of us and telling us our beliefs are wrong.
qbear17 11 months ago
first heard this around 1968 in Catholic elementary school. We all got a great kick out of it, and having lived through Vatican 2 made it all the more humorous. It was a tad irreverent, but nobody got upset or excited about it. Catholicism was actually relevant and enjoyable then. Times have changed. Bring back a sense of humor.
qbear17 11 months ago
This song should be disturbing...but somehow it isn't.
beatlesopera 1 year ago
@beatlesopera would it help if he played it in heavy metal? :)
TheRainSnake 1 year ago
@cutupsound Oh, and for Catholics it's "lapsed", not "fallen".
Wolfrover 1 year ago
@cutupsound Sorry, no; he's a New York Jew, born to a Jewish family.
Wolfrover 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I'm going to burn the Vatican down one day, I swear, It will be in flames. FUCK this false prophet, portray me as evil because i have my own free will. Because I don't rely on fake gods to guide my life, because I am stronger than you! Heil satan, Desecrate any proof that Christianity was ever existent, kill this sick evil. How fucking stupid must you be to believe, Ill tell you how, you have to be scared, lost, and all alone to use this as a reason to live. DIE IN FIRE.
temptstress666 1 year ago
@temptstress666
uh, alright. You've got some pretty strong convictions there!
FCO0710 1 year ago
@temptstress666
Whoah, chill out man.
PopeSlyph 1 year ago
@temptstress666 happy thoughts, happy thoughts, maybe if you pray....
theholyone6 1 year ago
@temptstress666 Yes. Burn all the Christians because they dont share your religious beliefs...
GheoBlackPlum 11 months ago
@temptstress666 please feel free to die.you are wasting valuable DNA and oxygen.thankyou and hope you don't have a nice day
ThePlanetchild 11 months ago
The best Catholic jokes in the world are told among the priests themselves in the seminaries. And, to "harryslide," there have always been plenty of parodies about Jews BY Jews especially, but by others too. Where have you been?
deanslist101 1 year ago
The best Catholic jokes in the world are told among the priests themselves in the seminaries.
deanslist101 1 year ago 3
always love this, never gets old :D
always cheers me up
BleedingPixie 1 year ago
I've always loved this nifty parody, but when I learned he's a Jew, it sort of becomes dirty, and in very poor taste. Funny, one never hears parodies on Judaism. It's one thing to make fun of one's own religious heritage, but quite another when it's made fun of by someone not of that culture. Same thing with one's country.
harryslide 1 year ago
@harryslide You forgot to qualify your comment by pretending some of your best friends are Jews
lordhoot1 1 year ago 2
@lordhoot1 i love you, and will have your babies.
sharonmary 1 year ago
@harryslide You obviously have never heard any of the two million Jewish comics ragging on their own faith. LOL I know a hundred Jewish jokes that I learned from my Rabbi. :)
eshbena 11 months ago
Comment removed
lwriv7 10 months ago
so funny.....
Magliter 1 year ago
he isnt catholic, he is jewish
MichaelHansenFUN 1 year ago
Comment removed
JustOneMoreChild 1 year ago
@MichaelHansenFUN
In terms of ethnicity, yes, Lehrer is Jewish. In terms of religious belief, he is more of an apatheist.
Would Mr. Zamboro elucidate his statement? I do not wish to ignore the psychological reasons involved. We are all aware that religion often provides the cloak to the dagger, and it may be used as justification for horrific actions, but I contentd that there was more to these acts than simply 'religious belief' as I had once portrayed.
JustOneMoreChild 1 year ago
@JustOneMoreChild read the book
Seriously Funny: The Rebel Comedians of the 1950s and 1960s
MichaelHansenFUN 1 year ago
also, kuschel bedarf und keiner da jemd Bedarf zu chattn
sesyyann01 1 year ago 10
Without religion good men will do good things, and bad men will do bad things, but it takes religion to make a good man do bad things.
NoWitnessesNoRegrets 1 year ago
For the record: "The Vatican Rag" is actually making fun of the liberalization of the Catholic Church that occurred during Vatican II in the 1960s. It could be argued that it is a very pro-Catholic song.
F011esGuy 1 year ago
@F011esGuy
No, not really. Lehrer is an apatheist. He doesn't know, he doesn't quite care, and he is definitely not 'spiritual' in the sense we use the term, but he's not really antireligious. He is much more interested in quantum mechanics and mathematics (fitting and appropriate, wouldn't you say?).
This song is likely a satire of the Church's traditions, and shows Lehrer's views of all the formality, rules, & rituals within. Doesn't really matter though, he's as funny as ever! :o)
Pax
JustOneMoreChild 1 year ago
Ahh, the old epicurian problem-of-evil, yes? It would benefit everyone if we dropped yea-olde-theological-matter.
JustOneMoreChild 1 year ago
Hehe cool song
But isn't it swung? Would that mean it isn't a rag? (a rag is straight jazz)
TheRyval 1 year ago
@TheRyval Ragtime preceded jazz, indeed was supplanted by it. Ragtime's main characteristic is a bouncing "jagged" rhythym. This seems to quailfy.
dennykdoe 1 year ago
This song is still as funny as ever, I'm glad to say(write)! Just as good as his Elements song.
JustOneMoreChild 1 year ago
Good grief, would everyone care to recall that old Newsweek article? The one that states that priests are no more likely to abuse children than zoologists, teachers, or accountants? The reason we hear of abusive priests is because their congregations gave them a degree of trust. Those who do not break such a trust because they were never really given it aren't news material in the eyes of the media.
Truth be told, I *have* heard of a scientist and teacher who abused his student.
JustOneMoreChild 1 year ago
@JustOneMoreChild The main issue with the RCC is not that some of its priests happened to be pedophiles and abusers. It's what happened after these events came to light. If a Teachers' Ass'n, upon learning that a fellow teacher was molesting the kids in his care, blackballed the authorities and sent the offender to a different school with a 'blank slate', then we'd have an analogous situation.
Cafeeine 1 year ago
@Cafeeine I agree, the hierarchy has, to borrow a friend's words, screwed up royally. The failures to report such abuse to secular authorities were (and are) a breach of trust. The fact that the bishops either failed to take notice of the abuse, or hoped the miserable thing would pass, is an indication of gross irresponsibility.
I do hope that churches, if they learn anything from this, understand that concealment of these cases whether active or passive is morally inexcusable.
JustOneMoreChild 1 year ago
@JustOneMoreChild wow im astonished that someone is actually defending preists. yes people of other professions also abuse children but when they do it the get prosecuted not just transfered to spread the abuse. But its impossible to argue with faith. Faith trumps all, it's undebatable ps the vatican has one of the highest crime rates in world. and what a lovely name, you must also be a preist
NoWitnessesNoRegrets 1 year ago
@NoWitnessesNoRegrets please read my earlier posts, particularly the middle in the set of three I posted a day ago. Also recall that 'way back then' (read: 1960's & 70's when a majority of the sexual abuse occured) people (read: psychologists & psychiatrists) believed that such conditions could be cured. It's likely that the hierarchy of the time hoped that these waywards would reform. They didn't. It was their catastrophic error.
JustOneMoreChild 1 year ago
@NoWitnessesNoRegrets
I'm really hoping you're not generalising the entire population of priests, many were a bit more horrified at what had been occuring than most. How would you feel if you found out that someone you held to be a respected brother betrayed his vows, or was complicit in concealing such dreck, in such a reprehensible manner?
JustOneMoreChild 1 year ago
@JustOneMoreChild In UK, abuse has been rampant for centuries, not just rape but in some cases murder. My father has 2 Irish friends who where abused by their preist for the whole of their childhood but they never reported him in later life due to shame. Also my granfather was a brilliant man until he became religious in 1946. By 1947 he was a changed man and beggan sexually abussing my (at the time) 4 year old mother because god told him to.
NoWitnessesNoRegrets 1 year ago
@NoWitnessesNoRegrets
"Because God told him too." Where in the Bible or in any mainstream religion does it say to molest a 4 year old girl? The fact is that abuse of all kinds has occured through the ages both within religious institutions and outside them. Your references to these massacres is like me cherry picking my Bible verses. Not only that, but what these events 'tell' me is that men will abuse their power due to egocentrism and a quest for glory.
JustOneMoreChild 1 year ago
@JustOneMoreChild 1978 - Jonestown, Victims: 914 god told them to. 1993 - Waco Texas,Victims:74 god told them to. 1997 - Heaven's Gate Cult, Victims: 39 god told them to. 1995 - AUM Supreme truth, Victims - 12 dead, 6000 injured, god told them to. 2000 - Uganda, Victims: 924 god told them to 2001 - World Trade Towers, Victims: nearly 3000, god told them to. Can u see a patern. I could list hundreds more. Its not about preists its about religion,
NoWitnessesNoRegrets 1 year ago
@NoWitnessesNoRegrets
To your old Weinberg quote (which goes "...but for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.") I posit this somewhat newer quote: "Good people will go on doing good things, evil people will go on doing evil things. But good people will do evil things, & evil people will do good things whether or not they are religious. We are all human." For "Religion has done little, but it has inspired both good and evil in the ages of the world."
JustOneMoreChild 1 year ago
@JustOneMoreChild
Blaming religiously motivated violence on "human nature" totally ignores the psychological reasons involved. It's something religious people do to deflect blame from religion. So long as they *only* look that deeply into the matter they never have to trouble themselves with examples that don't fit the "human nature" explanation.
Zamboro 1 year ago
@NoWitnessesNoRegrets Quite a tally, there. I'm sure you're feeling very smug. In fact, many people have been killed in the name of religion gone bad/mad. But how about 100,000,000 dead in the 20th century due to far left communism? Stalin, Mao. Pol Pot, etc. Which gods were involved there? The New York Times, maybe? Dashiell Hammit and his lovely wife? Most if not all of the big time lefties of the era were cheering them on, as would many here. Yes, let's just get rid of the bourgeois creeps.
harryslide 11 months ago
@harryslide I think i remember being angry when writing that pointless sh1t on youtube, but...
Technically religion is not always bad but its definitely mad (Magical sky dwelling wizards and such).
You can kill stalin and poll but you'll never catch that damm wizard
NoWitnessesNoRegrets 11 months ago
@harryslide
Far left communism?? Don't you mean barking mad dictators. You take things on face value and you really have no idea what their true spiritual leanings were. Or for that matter how religion moulded their upbringing, thought processes and ultimately their actions. Truth betold, murdererous psychopaths will always find some justification for their actions, why give credence to mumbo jumbo, why not just remove it as an excuse altogether.
TheRealPastabake 11 months ago
@NoWitnessesNoRegrets
The Vatican has one of the highest crime rates because crime rates are found via population. Having around 900 citizens at most, 900 thefts a year by pickpockets dropping by to snatch a purse or wallet from the hundreds and thousands that pass through each day would lead to figures of over 100%. That being said, one should take into account that the vast majority of crime is committed by pickpockets who are not part of that aforementioned 900.
JustOneMoreChild 1 year ago
Ever heard of a crackpot scientist that touches children? No. Ever heard of a religious nut that touches children? I rest my case/arse
NoWitnessesNoRegrets 1 year ago
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JustOneMoreChild 1 year ago
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PhysicsProf1 1 year ago
This one is the most catchy of his songs. I've had it in my head all day.
lordofzaptherapy 1 year ago
To those of you getting pissy, which part of this, exactly, is inaccurate in ANY way?
Hush, children.
fuduzan5562 1 year ago
A genius and SO ahead of his time.
vivalaleta 1 year ago
@mimikechan what i mean is that he is not mocking god, but the practises of the church, for example, nowhere in the bible does it say that you have to confess your sins to your priest, but the cathlic church does it, what i mean is that there are many differences between mocking god and the cathlic church, i believe that roman cathlics have every right ot be offended if they are indeed so, but this is not aimed at mocking god, but the church
But more importantly i think it's a amazing song haha
maciver95 1 year ago
@maciver95 I totally agree with you :)
Haza! Haza....love this song!
arbidancer22 1 year ago
Amazing piano work, and amazingly hilarious lyrics xD!
Genuflect, genuflect, genuflect.
Triplerubik 1 year ago
Boy is this a fun song! Tom - one of my heroes!! I have laughed at your outrageous songs for years. And in the new millenium catholics (like myself) have precious little to smile about! TL would probably not write hilarious songs about today's mess in the catholic church. So thank God for this one. In a comment someone asks if jesus would've laughed at this song. I think he is. Apart from that - isn't Jesus Jewish when all comes to all ???
storeugle 1 year ago
One point, kind of connected to this song---long time ago was an altered (did that spelling like that) boy and after the service asked the Irish Priest if I could have a small glass of the wine! WOW NOT BAD! Still perfer the Jew wine I have in the Refreg---Mogen David--BLACKBERRY and not the priest was cool not a pervert---
rangeclerk 1 year ago
Tom came along the 50s & 60s; totally funny, no matter if Democratic or Republican during that time---Today, 2010 everyone is so "uptight" as in "u had better nor offend me or I will SUE U!" Hell remember those good old Polish jokes? Worked at Griffith Obeservatory 70s & one of the Sr Engineers was Polish & told me a great Polish Joke--ask someone who says a 'Polish Joke" "can you speak 'Polish'?" The ans they will say is usually "no"---then say, how does if feel being dumber than a "Pollock?"
rangeclerk 1 year ago
@rangeclerk hah! I like that one, and its readily adaptable to other 'racist' jokes.
Cafeeine 1 year ago
@Cafeeine IF we and others cannot laugh at them/our/selves then the Dark Ages of Free Thinking has gone out so we have to make sure that the matches and candles we lite are waterproof and cannot be blown out! Thanks for the comment and observations! See the interview of Mel Brooks concerning the use of the "N word" in the movie BLAZING SADDLES---the use of the "N words" was to bring attention to "racist attitudes--also there is only ONE RACE---The Human Race---Good comments from u take care!
rangeclerk 1 year ago
i love tohm lerher, he's so funny!
i don't see why everyone's getting so angry, he isn't mocking god but just teasing the traditions of the church...it's not like he's attacking the christian faith :/
maciver95 1 year ago
@maciver95 as someone who is irreligious (and agnostic) I find your comment confusing - first you say he's not mocking god, just the church, and then you differentiate between that and the Christian faith? The trappings of religion appear to be somewhat important, otherwise why would we have so many different faiths which ostensibly believe in the same God?
Incidentally, I find Tom Lehrer hilarious, just so you know :D
mimikechan 1 year ago
My brother first heard this song on the Doctor Demento show and taped it. He wanted to play it for my mother, but she refused to listen. Then he wanted to play it for the associate pastor from our church, she said, "Johnny, don't you dare play The Vatican Rag." Father Bob (as we called him) said, "Oh, I know that one!" and sang it himself!
mindofmatt 1 year ago 59
@mindofmatt
As a former Catholic and a faithful follower of Brother George Carlin...Mom needs to take Father Bob's lead!
majwiley 11 months ago
@majwiley lol nice. :D
gothassassin14 10 months ago
@mindofmatt Now THAT is badass
tupd 10 months ago
Hahaha! Funny. Good to see Catholics with a sense of humor. Can you imagine the uproar--and how fast this vid would be taken down--were he singing about Islam?
talitha00cumi 1 year ago
In 1980 was at South Coast Plaza a mall (the "owners of it want it called "A Retail Center'---I call it a MALL) well anyway there was a record shop closing out and was able to get all his albums for about 2.00 a piece!--Still have them! Remember hearing his "music" in the 60's...way to funny!
rangeclerk 1 year ago
Composed in the 1960s and a cult classic in my college days. Lehrer's very witty lyrics suggest to me that he almost certainly grew up Catholic.
Lehrer far outclasses Mark Russell.
alnot01 1 year ago
@alnot01 True, but they are both cut from the same cloth, they both like to spear the zeitgeist and deflate the ego of the high and mighty, we need more people like that.
tallicdeth 1 year ago
What would Jesus do? Laugh? I doubt it !!
gwlovescf 1 year ago
@gwlovescf I absolutely believe he would laugh.
brillefint1 1 year ago
I love Tom Lehrer <3
I so played this song on my way to my stupid theology class today. Nothing like Tom to make my day! <3
rainbowheydrich 1 year ago
Interesting how some find occasion to knock Catholics any chance they can: it's true---antiCatholicism is the 21st century's version of antisemitism.
RondelayAOK 1 year ago
@RondelayAOK sure it is! Remember when those six million Catholics were gassed? OH, that's right, it never happened. What a schmuck!
mcrave52 1 year ago
@RondelayAOK Indeed, seeing as this song was SO RECENTLY written with the sole reason of making someone on the internet angry >:D
WeShallBurnInHeck 1 year ago
Making fun of the silly beliefs of others is one of life's greatest pleasures! :D
blugubrious 1 year ago
"Time to transubstantiate!!!!"
daydreamer1475 1 year ago
God, Tom's awesome
TheElectricDreamer93 1 year ago