Tom Lehrer: The Old Dope Peddler (studio solo) (1953)

The first part of the video (my signature slide) is overlaid by the last bars of "La Marseillaise", which I played on my keyboard.

The main part of the song is one of Tom Lehrer's studio solo songs, "The Old Dope Peddler". It is part of Tom's first published album, "Songs by Tom Lehrer". But I obtained the actual music from the box set, "The Remains of Tom Lehrer", which was released in 2000. Enjoy.

And the last part is "The Entertainer". Simply the 'cherry on top'.

Here's the description Tom Lehrer himself made about the song: "Dedicated to the member of the community who goes modestly and inconspicuously about his job of spreading happiness among his fellow citizens, but who has never been properly recognized in song or story. [The song was intended merely as a takeoff on a certain genre (now obsolete) of sentimental songs like the "The Old Lamplighter" and "The Umbrella Man." It could only be funny, I thought, if I used as the subject a character despised by polite society. I first considered the abortionist, but one can never have gotten away with that then. The dope peddler was the second choice. At the time I certainly didn't know anyone who actually used "dope." Times changed, of course, and the song later resonated quite differently.]"

Sorry I gave so much information about the music earlier. I don't want to get screwed by stupid WMG again. They are a bunch of arse-holes. And to make sure I am not screwed, have them read the following credits:

Recorded at TRANS-RADIO RECORDINGS, Boston, MA (1/22/53)
Produced by TOM LEHRER
From the album "Songs By Tom Lehrer", Trans-Radio #TR-740/Lehrer
#TLP- 1 [10" LP] (1953); Reissued as Lehrer #TL-101 [12" LP] (1959)
[NOTE: The selections on this album were later re-recorded and issued on an album bearing the same title, as Reprise #RS-6216 (1966)]

"The Remains of Tom Lehrer" Compilation ℗ 2000 Warner Bros. Records Inc. & Rhino Entertainment Company.

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[Stalin111]

Too bad those american dumbasses prevented "The old Abortionist". And even sadder it is that since then they nave not bettered themselves one iota in that regard.

[AlexSh789]

@Stalin111 My friend, I will not tolerate any slander with regard to the United States on any of my videos, for I am in the United States Navy. Free speech is a part of the Constitution that I swore to support and defend, but common sense is authorized too. Free speech only goes so far.

Besides, "the Americans" did not block "The Old Abortionist". If you look in the description, you'll see that Tom Lehrer himself decided not too write it: "one can never have gotten away with that then."

[AlexSh789]

@AlexSh789 Sorry, ran out of characters. Anyway, don't talk shit about America.

- SN Alexander B. Shekhtman, USN

[TelecasterLPGTop]

@AlexSh789 Slander ? You talk of free speech but only believe in it when it suits you. The USA has much to answer for, it has instigated over 200 wars since it's beginning, not to mention the many coups and illegal interventions in the runnings of other countries. It is the world's most efficient terrorist because it gets away with its crimes by blaming others. Now it has been infiltrated by the fascists that it believed was defeated in WW2 (they're not too bright either). Wake up.

[AlexSh789]

@TelecasterLPGTop Listen, are we gonna talk about the video or incite a political war? I don't want to talk about this shit. I'm sure your land down under has some stuff to answer for, too.

[GinOhara]

@san2chi I'd give something pretty to hear Tom Lehrer's "The Old Abortionist", also. Too bad.

[san2chi]

If I had to attach another song to Tom Lehrer's masterpiece, "The Entertainer" would have to be it. So good job on that. Also good job on the lyrics and the extra info.

I'd love to see how "The Old Abortionist" would have played out.

[slayer40452]

like it