"The Whiffenpoof Song" (Rudy Vallee, 1927)

Rudy Vallee's first major hit--a bit of Yale whimsy given national popularity by the charismatic crooner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE WHIFFENPOOF SONG
(words Meade Minnegerode; tune attributed to Tod Galloway)

To the tables down at Mory's,
To the place where Louis 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 its 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 Louis
While life and voice shall last
Then we'll pass and be forgotten with the rest.

We are poor little lambs
Who have lost our way.
Baa! Baa! Baa!
We are little black sheep
Who have gone astray.
Baa! Baa! Baa!

Gentlemen songsters off on a spree
Damned from here to eternity
God have mercy on such as we.
Baa! Baa! Baa!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Much more from Wiki:

The Whiffenpoof Song was published in sheet music form in 1909. It became a hit first for Rudy Vallee in 1927 and later in 1947 for Bing Crosby. It has also been recorded by Elvis Presley, Count Basie, Perry Como, the Statler Brothers and countless others. Mory's refers to Mory's Temple Bar and Louis to a former owner of Mory's. The chorus is derived from the poem "Gentlemen Rankers" by Rudyard Kipling, which was set to music by Guy H. Scull (Harvard '98) and adapted with lyrics by Meade Minnigrode (Yale '10).

The chorus was also used in the movie 12 O'Clock High with Gregory Peck. It can be heard being sung in the background after the unit receives its first unit commendation.

THE WHIFFENPOOFS

The Yale Whiffenpoofs are the oldest collegiate a cappella group in the United States, established in 1909.[1] Best known for "The Whiffenpoof Song," based on a tune written by Guy H. Scull (Harvard 1898) and adapted with lyrics by Meade Minnigerode (Yale 1910). the group comprises senior men who compete in the spring of their junior year for 14 spots.[3] The business manager and musical director of the group, known in Whiff tradition respectively as the "Popocatepetl" and "Pitchpipe"[4] are chosen by members of the previous year's group, although an alumni organization maintains close ties with the group.

The Whiffenpoofs have performed for generations at a number of venues, including Lincoln Center, the White House, the Salt Lake Tabernacle, McAfee Coliseum, Carnegie Hall and the Rose Bowl. The group has also appeared on television shows such as Jeopardy!, The Today Show, Saturday Night Live, 60 Minutes, Gilmore Girls and The West Wing.

Throughout the school year, the Whiffenpoofs traditionally perform Monday nights at Mory's, known more formally as "Mory's Temple Bar," circulating from room to room singing.

The Whiffs' best-known alumnus may be Cole Porter, who sang in the 1913 lineup of the Whiffenpoofs when he was a student at Yale. Today the group often performs Porter songs in tribute.

The Whiffenpoofs donate part of their proceeds each year to the Whiffenpoof Children's Literacy Initiative, which aims to create 15 literacy centers in 12 countries, including the US. They travel extensively during the school year and take a three-month world tour during the summer. At one time most members were full-time students, but today many members take all or part of the year off and are effectively full-time professional Whiffenpoofs.

The word "whiffenpoof" originated in the 1908 opera Little Nemo by Victor Herbert, based on the comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland by Windsor McCay.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
RR adds:

Although the Whiffenpoofs at Yale use a dragon (wyvern variation) for their mascot, Windsor McKay's original "Great Roaring Whiffenpoof" was a Dinornis, a prehistoric flightless bird which more closely resembles an ostrich, moa or emu.

Here's a link to a picture of McKay's Whiffenpoof:
http://www.weirdwildrealm.com/filmima...

• Category

  Music

[richio44]

Thanks for the posting I remember hearing this version over fifty years ago and thought it just perfect and it still sounds great Rudy Valee was ace and it is nice to hear great singing once again.

[RReady555]

Yes, I like the close harmony and simple instrumentation of Rudy's version best...;)

Kindest regards,

-RR

[gentlemanranker]

I had forgotten how close the Lyrics are to Kiplings poem. I enjoyed this immensely, thank you

[RReady555]

You're entirely welcome. A lot to be said for the tradition of the "Gentleman Ranker" in these times.

Best regards,

-RR

[Alex McNeilly]

1927.......... Amazing!

As much as I like Bing Crosby's version of this song, this is a much better arrangement, and then there is the difference in the recording equipment of a twenty year span to be considered also.

Yep! No two ways about it, Rudy was superior.

[higgme1ster]

Glad to. I must confess that I embrace the Jingoism of American hegemony and was an enlisted ranker myself, as an NCO in USAF Telecommunications Control Systems.

My disdain for effete Yale weenies not withstanding, I love this song especially as performed by that old hepcat Rudy Vallee.

[jpstenino]

higgme1ster Thank you for the history. Very much appreciated

[John Atkinson]

This is a lovely song, regardless of its meaning and origins. But then, that is part of the magic and purpose of music, to rise above such differences and join people in appreciation of beauty.

[Stefan Vidovic]

if you want the sheets, they're free on musicnotes in january!!



[LyleLincoln]

Tell dad Happy New Year!

[LyleLincoln]

I would really really enjoy confabulating with a Whiffenpoof alumni. I love Yale history. I am curious if any alumni hanged with my fav Wm Buckley?

[blunderboy1964]

then why would you be here? Watta moron

[limeliter]

Thank You... For putting the words to the Whiffenpoof song in your posting I've come close to getting it right now I know.

[FRAGIORGIO1]

This and the Maine song were sung by my Dartmouth-educated father back in the '40s and '50s. I hadn't heard them since then!

[safehouse123]

i feel sorry for you....