Tom Lehrer - The Vatican Rag - with intro - widescreen - now on DVD

[matthewmaus]

Thank you so much for posting these tracks.

TL is a big hearted genius, for sure, but what makes these songs even better, is that the big hearted genius, Dr Tom Lehrer is still very much among us (he's 83, and as sparklingly witty as ever). And poignantly, many of his songs still feel very relevant today. Viva Dr Lehrer! xxx

[sliderossian]

Lehrer has said of his musical career, "If, after hearing my songs, just one human being is inspired to say something nasty to a friend, or perhaps to strike a loved one, it will all have been worth the while."

[AsksOneThing]

That "Ave Maria, gee it's good to see ya." line kills me every time! LOL Reminds me of morning Mass with the little old rosary-praying ladies (and men!) That's how they *always* greet people they don't see every day: "Gee, it's good to see ya!"

[Kingdaddy8]

Pope Benedict and five cardinals dislike this video.

[2300Kenzie]

Back in '67 a priest visiting our island was at our house for dinner and my dad played this song for him. He roared with laughter and had to hear it again. Needless to say, he loved it and wasn't offended.

[fadethetrade]

I prefer the "that was the year that was tom leher" album and performances over these.

[utubesnamepolsux]

I've heard all the various versions of this one, and -- because I have -- I can tell that that lyric flub *really* threw him off...

[reallyharried]

2-4-6-8, time to transubstantiate.

[MissezPremise]

Always loved this one....Truly Brilliant.

[laaxe]

My uncle used to play this for me way earlier than 1967! Tom was a real pioneer, turning multiple radios on, calling it music... Zappa likey was heavily influenced by this guy! Brilliant!

[casestudyification]

@laaxe Hmmm...I'm a Zappa freak and I always wonder "did Zappa like this guy, did he like that guy?..." I've never considered Lehrer before! No doubt Zappa dug Lehrer.

[6funswede]

@casestudyification, if that´s a question, the answer is: Yes, he did.

[TauCatholic]

A number of years ago, I worked on a production of Tomfoolery, which includes this song along with other Tom Lehrer classics like Poisoning Pigeons in the Park, two of my favourite pieces from him.

[fauxgrace]

Does anyone have the version of this song where he doesn't bauble at the beginning of the tune?

I can't find it anywhere.

LOVE this GUY!

[Seakinnfiendin]

@fauxgrace watch?v=3f72CTDe4-0

[C3P0meetsData]

That would be kinda funny if he said at the end, "This song has ended, go now in peace to love and serve the lord."

[theoriginalsuzycat]

@C3P0meetsData

Thanks be to God.

[6funswede]

This video is now out on DVD. Please read the updated video description or visit the channel page!

[Ferrariman601]

I just discovered this guy. Brilliant satirist! His songs are still quite relevant too.

[smhorse]

I memorised all the Lehrer songs at school, bought the song book, and even managed to play one or two songs on the piano. His songs endure to this day.

Tom Lehrer is a genius. That's the only word for him.

[StFrancisChurch]

Great Version of this song! Love Tom and his wit!!! Now to see if we can use this for a Communion Meditation Hymn. Hum?

[ShanaNoFlameHaze]

Haha, 8 years ago I caught my youngest older brother (he was then 17) rapping this song and dancing widely through his room : D

[6funswede]

All the twelve Tom Lehrer songs from this channel have now been republished in better quality. Click the Lehrer icon or the username, go to the channel and select one of the uploaded HQ-versions :-) Don't forget to click the HQ-button.

[bartonside]

Tom Lehrer began his career parodying various popular song forms and his work was first heard in Britain on the august intellectual radio station the BBC Third Porgramme. His first LP was produced privately and my father brought me a copy when he visited the USA. His best performances are characterised by tremendous energy and his piano accompaniment is artfully complimentary to the songs. He seems largely forgotten now, which is a greaty pity.

[thornewood]

This guy is a genius.

[6funswede]

thornewood, thank you so much, yes, I feel that he really is. One thing is his impeccable satire, comic talent and great musicality, but he also managed to write satirical songs with a (deservedly) LONG life :-)

[90geekgirl06]

Ah, I love this song. I find it extra funny because I'm Catholic. xD

[imshooshy]

BRILLIANT!

[Videot27]

Wow - where have you found all these great clips? Lehrer is a genius - it's nice to finally see some footage of him performing. Thanks for posting and sharing!!

[Puddingbat]

Lovely clear sound quality.

[thedragon133]

the beginning of the song reminds me of super mario bros. o.O" at 1:02

[6funswede]

thedragon133, he he, well, Tom Lehrer was certainly many years ahead of Koji Kondo (the Nintendo composer).

[thedragon133]

I know, but perhaps Koji Kondo heard Tom and copied it a little bit. Who knows? :-)

[6funswede]

Oh, maybe. But Koji Kondo, being a classically trained (serious) conposer, had heard ragtime already :-)

[anglicansag]

OH !!!! TOO FABULOUS !!!!

"....Time to Transubstantiate !" ON THE FLOOR LAUGHING !!!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

[cqsallie]

Absolutely wonderful! My father and I used to love the music/scandalous offerings of Lehrer before I got married and moved away.

In the days before the internet, daddy would call me and sing the latest Tom Lehrer song.

We both loved the Vatican Rag, being on the verge of fallen Catholics.

Thank you so much for posting this....

[292x1]

Think it was 1966 or so..when I first heard this tune, The Vatican Rag. I was overseas with the USAFstationed in England. . Some guy on Radio Caroline played it. Split my gut laughing.

[Shakleton42]

Two, four, six, eight -- Time to transubstantiate!

You've just got to love Tom Lehrer. Thanks for uploading. :-)

5/5

[6funswede]

Shackleton42, thank you for commenting. Lehrer wants people to be able to watch these twelve songs legally, so please spread the word!

[6funswede]

April 2009 - 6funswede YouTube log. Errors July 2007-April 2009. "Pollution": Sound deteriorated. "When You Are Old And Gray": Video stuttering. "Send the Marines": Video stuttering. This is ALL YouTube errors, have written to them, but I don't expect any answers. Viewers: PLEASE use the annotation boxes with links in the videos.

[dobozzene]

So - where is Alma - tell us?

All of her old fans are jealous

[gatopdx]

What a wonderful video! Thank you, again... (I am still hoping for a video of Alma!)

[AvmanM]

Why would anyone be offended by this? Come on people, show some sense of humor.

[lovjeffdunham]

Where do you get these vids???

[garylobo3]

I too always thought it was a sin to eat a man on Friday. I find Saturday much more rewarding.

[6funswede]

garylobo3, he he, that's a five star comment!

[garylobo3]

Thank you my friend. He's my hero, and you too for posting such wonderful memories, all re-created anew for not only the old fans, but how many more new disciples are in the ranks today, due to your efforts? Take a bow.

[6funswede]

Oh, thank you. But look, it's Lehrer who should be thanked. He wrote that, although I was indiscrete with this posting, he'd let the videos stay. This is rare material indeed ;-)

[playmeaditty]

woo intro! Thanks for posting this! :)

[sheldrake123]

Thank you so much 6funswede! Never heard this introduction before. My recording of this song has an intro, but it's different.

[igornonsuch]

Nice one

Thanks 6funswede

[eversoplucky]

Love the little smile he does to the audience as the song ends. Hell, I just love him. Great stuff.

[YoomOmer]

Great version - Never heard this introduction before. As always - Good Job 6funswede

[cosmos11]

This is beautiful, I love it. Too bad if some religious nuts get their poor feelings hurt.

Sometimes the truth hurts:-)

[OscarLiu24]

yeah~~ I've been waiting for the spoken intro version for this song for a while~ GG 6funswede!

[Dakmor123]

This man was a genius.

[geekhtee]

I Love It

[Sargeras0000]

Hah! I always love his spoken introductions.