Tom Lehrer- The Vatican Rag

[maygirl]

Wow, I'm listening to this while doing my religion homework. Not really surprising since this is one of my favs in my Tom Lehrer playlist.

[sandman64100]

I can't believe I found someone else who even knows who tom lehrer is, much less have an appreciation for his music. The man was a genius!

[beardedba]

God, Tom Lehrer...fun back in the day...he could really get us to stop looking at ourselves so seriously and so tongue in cheek! (After all tongue out of cheek would hurt like heck!)

[jack002tuber]

Dude's a genius! :D 

[jeopardy60611]

This is an interesting take on Catholic practices. I just attended a Catholic funeral, and thought of this song. It's so cool, although I happen to be Jewish.

[Wolfrover]

@jeopardy60611 Nicely enough, so is Lehrer. ;) The inspiration for this song was when the Catholic Church decided it was all right to have secular music and non-Latin Mass in church. Thus, his own attempt at "appropriate music". ;)

[shisokudo]

Six people are too jealous of his talent to admit they like the song. XD

[DemonDancingDove]

I'm going to hell for laughing at this aren't I?

[brengf]

This sounds like the original version I heard first about '53 or'54

[bibina180]

Oh Jesus, I love this song!!!

[alternativebassist]

I'm a catholic...and I think this is absolutely hilarious...not to mention really clever, skilful and inoffensive all at the same time...bro's got talent!

[hughvane]

To those who've kindly responded concerning my query "who has ever, if ever, scored that piano accompaniment?", I can advise that I have purchased the collection of 'Too Many Songs By Tom Lehrer .....", publisher Pantheon Books. It includes the score of 'Vatican Rag', fiendishly difficult for arthritic hands.

[juliamacadam]

In 1971 I was 11 and in Catholic School. I got caught singing this song. Those nuns sure didn't have a sense of humor back then!

[TheNelanne]

@juliamacadam I also spent my formative years under the rule of nuns... My behind still stings when I think of them!

[TheSV3]

@juliamacadam no. And I'll bet some of them had batting averages that would make Ted Williams and George Brett proud, if you know what I mean.

[MichaelHansenFUN]

you may want his talent but tom lehrer is now 80 years old and he has not done this for years because he doesnt want to. however the closest you will ever get is a guitar player called Carpal Tunnel Kid. he does satirical songs.

[KrimzonFlygon]

I nearly passed out laughing the first time hearing this: it hurt to breathe for about an hour!

[BlackMaskStudios]

I'm a proud Catholic and I am rolling in laughter. Those 4 dislikes need to lighten up and not take themselves so seriously.

[1retromingia]

Note to Amelia: Actually I graduated from a Jesuit college (as well as RC grade school and high school), so I was just having a bit of fun with the whimsical online descriptions of the new cyber-gizmo. Some of the initial reports DID make it appear that you could "text" your confession to a priest. I think a lot of young Catholics today would really go for it...LOL!

[1retromingia]

Tom Lehrer saw it coming: the Catholic Church has just announced an iPhone app for making cyber-confessions, and a bishop has given it his Imprimatur! What next! "It's the end of the world as we know it....(ref. REM!)

[0amelia0]

@1retromingia You seem to be confused. The app is not for "cyber" confessions. It's just a guide. Confession is still only available in person.

[Avyncentia]

Genuflect! Genuflect! Genuflect!

[hebe21]

I love how you put "I want his talent" at the exact time I was thinking it! XD

Brilliant man, amazing song! And as a Catholic who still occasionally goes to Mass herself, I don't see why many people find this offensive. Life is too short to not appreciate this kind of genius!

[SimuLord]

A long time ago a woman named Joan posed as a man and became the Pope. However, once a month, she was on the Vatican rag.

[viddymeenow]

I still think of this song sometimes at Mass...... :-)

[daydreamer1475]

TIME TO TRAN-SUBSTANTIATE!

^_^

[cprich22]

wud love to be a ble to play this

[Christina5Archer]

I once did this song as a priest in male drag. Everyone loved it. A long time ago, but very funny.

[mabarry3]

This is MUCH different than other versions that I've heard, such as the one 6funswede made. This one also has a VERY lively audience! Well done Brandon!

[mabarry3]

*I want his talent* LOL

[MrReasonFTW]

awesome

[HAPPYDAZE67]

i love the fact that you can hear the audience so much in this one. you can so imagine it in an old jazz club.

thanks for posting

[DefoliantProjector]

He sounds like he's having a lot of fun, putting a lot of energy into the song.

[BlachAndWhite16]

I'm actually addicted to this song.

[MrSpockify]

Genuflect, genuflect, genuflect! xD

[kolock8000]

'there,the guy whos got religion,ll

tell you if your sins original' SO FUNNY

[beckyboo1001]

It was my friend's 'Innapropriate Song Day' yeasterday and one of her 7 songs were tis one. Its funny because she's fairly religious. Aah, good old Tommy Lehrer, always a funny'un.

[Mousegirl103]

God, it's quite funny to see my religion being made fun of! XD Already think it's a load of s****!

[Promatheos]

If it's bullshit why call it your religion?

You wouldn't say you're a heroin addict if you'd never tried it right?

[777Mystik]

@Mousegirl103 He was /not/ making fun of religion. At all. He was satirizing the contemporary religious music that annoyed him. He is Jewish himself. I know it's an old comment, but I cannot stand idiocy on that level. Especially with an anti-religious intent.

[Dextear]

@777Mystik Have you really managed to miss the HUGE, HUGE difference between Judaism and Catholicism?

[777Mystik]

@Dextear No. I'm saying he was not making fun of /any/ religion.

[TGBA100]

i think this would be pretty easy to play on piano, maybe i'll try

[scottishlowoflow]

zbodobokobo, he's making fun of Catholic Mass

[zobodobokobo]

didnt get y every1 was laffing

[KuroJade]

Because it's funny.

[jackjiezhang]

that's hot crowd!

[lycaonpictus77]

Almost makes me wish I was old enough to have seen that!

Almost.

[hughvane]

Very well done Braden. Now, who has ever, if ever, scored that piano accompaniment? If anyone knows of it, or where it might be obtained, I'd love to learn about it.

[bradenmcpherson]

Thank you very much, everyones wonderful comments are very much appreciated

[Anninymous]

Find the book "Too Many Songs by Tom Lehrer"; it's got almost all the Tom Lehrer songs you could ever want. Sadly, New Math and Lobachevsky have only the lyrics and refrains.

[Henry1993bc]

@hughvane i know its late but, all the midis can be found, use synthsia and hey presto youve got the piano part, pm me if you want the link :)

[smhorse]

@hughvane : You can get the score for "The Vatican Rag" from Tom Lehrer's own song book, entitled "Too Many Songs by Tom Lehrer". Available from Amazon - just do a search on the title.

[hughvane]

@smhorse Thank you, I've bought that book after finding it for sale in the US.

[Flerndip22]

Tom Lerher is one of the artistic and intellectual geniuses of our time. His songs always put a smile on my face.

[AngelRuler1]

Pure Win