12-string Guitar: Abdul Abulbul Amir

When I was at college and was learning to play the guitar, a friend had a book of songs which included this amusing tale. When he left, the book went with him and I was never able to find another with this in it, so I could not sing it again. However last night for no apparent reason, it came to mind and with the facility of the search engine, I have found it. Strangely, though the subject of the story refers to events to do with the Russo-Turkish War (1877--1878), the song itself is Irish, having been written in 1877 by Percy French, an Irish music hall entertainer. He was ripped off by his publisher who printed the song without the author's name. They must have made a small fortune from the song, for not only was it a popular music hall song, but I recall an animated cartoon feature of the song and its characters being made, though I cannot remember which studio made it. Even though I could not really remember the words, this song must have made a great impression on my mind, for when I wrote my own nonsense song 'The Ballad of Mad Dog Magee', the poetic construction turned out to be very similar to that used by French for this song.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Abdul
• Abulbul
• Amir
• threelegsoman
• Percy
• French
• Irish
• Musichall
• Song
• Lyrics
• Chords
• 12-string
• Acoustic
• Guitar
• Crimean
• War

[royalcourtier]

Not the Crimean War, but the 1877-78 Russian-Turkish war.

[threelegsoman]

@royalcourtier Thanks for the correction. I will amend the info accordingly.

[bhagelawala]

Sir,

I am a student from one of the best public schools of India, St. Joseph's College, North Point, Darjeeling, India. This song was taught to us by our music teacher, the very brilliant Col. Braganza, among a great variety of Irish, Italian & Country songs. I am hearing this after a very long time ... 23 years to be exact !

Thank you ... you brought tears to my eyes. And happiness to my heart !

[threelegsoman]

@bhagelawala Thank you for your message. I am always happy to bring back fond memories

[hitthatperfectbeat]

Are these the original Percy French words? Also, can i just say that i first found your videos when searching for a version of Ilkley Moor Bah'tat and since then i've discovered that you've done brilliant versions of almost all my favourite folky songs, for that i have to thank you.

[threelegsoman]

@hitthatperfectbeat Yes, these are the Percy French lyrics. Frank Crummit had great success singing them, so much so that he made three follow ups which he wrote, but each followed the template of the French original.

[FieryRivers]

So I was watching Star Trek and heard Lore quoting this particular poem and found it tickling my interest to such extents that I had to hear the whole deal.

Now it seems I have to learn to play the guitar.

[dlee1947]

we sang this at scout camp in the early 60"s. I have not heard it since then glad to listen to it again. It takes me back to my youth.

[mkgill]

how i enjoyed this. thank you.

this was before the russians were (dirty commies) and arabs (dirty terrorists).

as an arab, i'm glad to see how american culture can beautifully describe others as chivalrous and brave, violence notwithstanding. off course bigotry did exist against blacks, women and gay people then.

this poem advocates both bravery AND the futility of violence. what a profound message.

[6eadgbe1]

NIce!

[DoctorBenway316]

Well done, sir! A wondrous little diddy from the land of my ancestors. You not only keep it alive but do it justice yourself. Glad to know that when I finally get to Europe there may be people there that I can share things like this with. Found this entirely by accident! Cheers!

[littleuglyeddie]

really enjoyed this video, thank you!