Songs of Flanders and Swann

Subject: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 11 Aug 99 - 08:23 PM

Over the last couple of years there have been a few threads about songs from these English performers, and there are a couple of songs in the DT (without tunes as I recall).

I've just managed to borrow THE book of their music 'The Songs of Michael Flanders and Donald Swann' St Martin's Press, New York, 1977, Library of Congress 77-82055.

Their better known songs include 'Have Some Madeira M'Dear', 'The Gasman Cometh' plus sundry songs about animals which I don't know - Armadillo, Elephant, Gnu, Hippopotamus.... Let me know if anyone would like to submit the notation to the Forum and I will scan them for those interested.

(As an aside the lyrics from Michael Flanders in 'Have Some Madeira' are in my opinion some of the cleverest writing in the English language that I've ever seen).

Regards, John

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Pete Peterson
Date: 11 Aug 99 - 09:59 PM

PLEASE DO! I (and others) would be very grateful. I have my own version of the Mozart Horn Concerto (which they call 'ill wind") and would like to hear Flanders' original lyrics. And all the others. Thanks in advance

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Susan A-R
Date: 11 Aug 99 - 10:09 PM

Yes! We've put together I'm a Gnu,, The Gasman Cometh, Thermodynamics, and Ill Wind through some very painful transcribing, and it would be nice to see what else has been done.

Susan

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 11 Aug 99 - 10:24 PM

I'll put together whatever anyone requests. The transcriptions of Flander's piano score seems to quite complete, and would certainly save a lot of work. Regards, John

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Susan A-R
Date: 11 Aug 99 - 10:34 PM

John, I've heard about the song about the Ostrich (Peek A-Boo, can't see you, everything must be grand . . . " That one would be lovely. I'm assuming that our friend the Hippapotomus is a MUST.

(my spelling is interesting. . . ah well) Susan

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST,Stephanie
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 06:54 PM

Okay, here it is eight years later and this music still lives on! Our vocal group, Collage, does The Gasman Cometh and The Hippopotamus - the latter to great audience participation, of course! These two always bring down the house. I'd love to tackle Misalliance sometime soon...

A few years ago we also had "A Transport Of Delight" in our repertoire - the tribute to the London Transport diesel-engine 97-horsepower omnibus.

I'm blessed with being able to play by ear so I have managed the accompaniment fairly well without benefit of sheet music.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 07:10 PM

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 07:16 PM

Note to self.....Type something before posting!!
If anyone can still get a copy, my group, Patterson,Jordan,Dipper recorded Slow Train on our first CD back in 2002.(With string quartet featuring our very own Anahata)
Slight aside, Michael Flanders was "Fag" (Public school slang for slave") to James Pattersons Father..!!
How weird is that!
Notwithstanding, Brilliant composers and quintessentially English.
Ralphie

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 10:37 PM

Agreed on the words to 'Madeira....'.

We have an LP of song from Lord of the Rings that Donald Swann wrote the music too......just gorgeous. I was disappointed none of this music made the film versions.......

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: BK Lick
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 12:53 AM

Flanders & Swann Online

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Mike Miller
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 02:23 AM

As a long time fan, I would vote for The Hippopotomous Song as their best lyric. It is the ultimate singalong.
I, also, loved their "Greenfleeves, a Fong".

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Mr Happy
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 09:33 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afdsL23fa5s

&


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqPbkchgACw

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Mr Happy
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 09:40 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4dId4oNUxg&mode=related&search=

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 05:34 PM

Ralphie - hard to believe that Flat Earth was recorded 5 years ago!

I was invited (and went) to the live show of "At the drop of another hat" for my friend's birthday, but of course I was much too young to appreciate how brilliant the material was.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 08:36 PM

A whole heap of animal songs can be found on 'The Bestiary of Flanders and Swann', which is a much underrated LP. It's also available on CD and as a box set of 3 with the two 'Hat' LPs. I have a selection on my MP3 which amuses me no end at work.

LTS

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Joe_F
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 10:08 PM

I am also fond of The Armadillo (with the delicious lines "This, abandoned on maneuvers, is the object of your love" and "Vive l'amour, vive l'armadillo") and The Sloth.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 10:52 PM

Looking through all these great posts and links, I am reminded that 'The Reluctant Cannibal' was always one of my favorites......

I won't eat people
I won't eat people
Eatin' people is wrong.....

If the Jujube had meant us not to eat people
He wouldn't have made them of MEAT!

Greenfleeves - a Fong - also holds great memories (Who are you? - We are Henry VIII,we are......')

But what I am find amazing is that I remember learning the words of The Hippopotamus while I was in primary school ... I remember the location and I can't have been more than 10 -- that is (oh dear...) 47 years ago and the song was that well known then that we sang it in school.........

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST,cliff
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 11:53 AM

Look here for a decent used copy at about US$25:
http://used.addall.com/ Type the title into their "Out of Print" section and several will come up.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 04:14 PM

It's the verbal athletics in 'Have some madeira' that I like... 'she lowered her standards by raising her glass, her courage, her eyes and his hopes...' Lovely!

Even better though, is 'Misalliance'...

LTS

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 04:18 PM

Yes, Misalliance is great but I also like, she made up her mind and a dash for the door.....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Susan A-R
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 07:55 PM

Then there's the Second Law of Thermal Dynamics ... "that's entropy man."   I did finally spring for the book!! I think it went with my Ex when I asked him to move out, but we are on reasonable enough terms that I could borrow if need be.   

Wonderful Stuff

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 09:52 PM

Yes -- wonderful stuff. I was going to mention Misalliance also.....these guys were so darn talented.....

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 10:58 PM

There was a singer from Chicago who used to do 'Have Some Madeira M'dear' w/o music because he couldn't figure out the chords. Would just recite the lyrics. He was a good actor/comedian and did it as a character piece. His name was/is Marty Peifer. It used to air from time to time on WFMT's The Midnight Special and for all I know they still may be playing it. He, also had a raucous version of 'Come A Little Bit Closer' which always brought down the house.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Joe_F
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 11:36 PM

There used to be a group called The Limeliters who burned their way into my memory by managing to perform "Madeira, m'dear" in such a way that it was *not funny*.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST,S in Kuwait
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 06:59 AM

Can any one tell me if it is possible to get music on line. I live in Kuwait and need some music for a few songs quickly.

Thanks

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 08:12 AM

When I bought the boxed set (Hat is a different recording to the original - same songs, different jokes) I was delighted to find that I'd correctly remembered every song (I could sing all three albums back to back for you right now)!

Saw them at the Savoy as a lad - NEVER laughed so much in my life as i did at Pee Po Belly Bum Drawers!

Flanders may have been the cleverest ever English lyricist, I think he even tips our Noel, and Swann wrote perfect tunes - and was a fine player to boot.

They loom huge in my life and I'm immensely grateful

Tom

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 11:12 PM

Here are all the Flanders & Swann lyrics I've been able to find at Mudcat:

These are in the Digital Tradition database:

20 TONS OF TNT
A SONG FOR THE WEATHER (mistitled "The Months")
A SONG OF PATRIOTIC PREJUDICE (mistitled "The English")
ALL GALL (This song was recorded by Flanders & Swann, but credited by them to "Sharp")
COMMONWEALTH FAIR
DESIGN FOR LIVING
ILL WIND
MADIERA, M'DEAR (mistitled "Have Some Madiera M'Dear")
MISALLIANCE
THE ARMADILLO
THE GNU SONG
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS SONG
THE RHINOCEROS
THE WARTHOG

These are posted in Mudcat threads:
(Some are listed twice because they've been posted twice.)

A SONG OF THE WEATHER
ILL WIND
IN THE BATH
MADEIRA, M'DEAR
MISALLIANCE
PHILOLOGICAL WALTZ
SLOW TRAIN
SLOW TRAIN
THE GAS-MAN COMETH
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS SONG
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS SONG
THE SLOTH
THE SPIDER
THE WOMPOM

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 11:58 AM

I saw Flanders and Swann on Broadway in the mid-60s -- I think it may have been the night they introduced "Twenty Tons of TNT." Certainly no one in the audience had heard it before. This was mid-60s, when war protest was still a dangerous business -- it got me blacklisted. When the song was finished, half the audience gave them a standing ovation, half (probably a little more than half) sat on their hands in stony silence.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Penny S.
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 12:40 PM

BBC R4 had a piece on them at 1.30 pm today. The use of zeugma in Madeira was particularly commented on, as also the skill greater than that of Coward. I was walking round Waitrose at the time, and as they played the final chorus of Transport of Delight, and the last note died, in a perfect time, a baby who could not have heard it, went "Wah". It made no other sound at any time I was there. I had to explain to the mother why I laughed.

Penny

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Gurney
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 04:40 PM

Guest S in Kuwait, Liz's suggestion of the box set is a good one for you. I have them, but as LPs. They are mostly of live performance, so that the full flavour of MF's humour is available, but not their full repertoire. Wonderful intro's. I've also seen a music book with many of the numbers, and cartoon illustrations.

John in Brisbane, Donald Swann was the pianist, Flanders the main lyricist, a man in a wheelchair. After MF's death, DS performed a similar act for a while with a guy called Topping. Swann and Topping.'

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: chatterbox
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 02:01 PM

Hi Susan A R,

I noticed from your (now very old!) post that you had transcribed 'Thermodynamics'. I've been searching the internet for an hour and not managed to find this as it is not in any of the published collections as far as I can see. Can you let me know how I can get hold of a copy?

thanks,

Dave

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 02:38 PM

Dave,

Have a look here. The song is actually called 'First and Second Law'

Ed

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST,Adrian in Charleston SC
Date: 07 Feb 09 - 07:41 PM

Can anyone supply the sheet music for piano, especially for The Gas Man Cometh, Have Some Madeira M'dear and Transport of Delight
But really as much of it all as possible.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: JennieG
Date: 07 Feb 09 - 08:00 PM

Recently I found the boxed 3 CD set of Flanders and Swann at an op shop (thrift shop) - cost me $6 Ozzie - great buy!

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Weasel
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 03:15 AM

There's a superb performance of "Have Some Madeira" here (sung by a chap called Eric)

have some madeira

Cheers,

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: HuwG
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 05:49 AM

Better yet: the masters themselves, live in New York, (so with translations) 1967

Have some Madeira, m'dear

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: HuwG
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 09:51 AM

Aaaaagh! Cut and paste wrong link from my stored list, so anyone clicking on it is in for a surprise.

Try Have some Madeira, m'dear instead.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST,Pete
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 10:17 AM

Still, the Stuttering Bum also came as a nice surprise.
Who is that Roy?
Do you by chance have the lyrics of that song?

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Bru
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 02:04 PM

There is a a book called The Songs Of Michael Flanders & Donald Swann currently available, which contains lyrics and piano score for all their songs.

I have this book, but it's presently out on loan.

However below is an Ebay link to the same book.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370119064155&cguid=72d2dabf11e0a0aad5416101fd389f59

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Gurney
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 02:43 PM

Chatterbox, there is, or was, a site called something like 'Scientific Songs.' It contained LOTS of them, includind 'First and Second Law' and Lehrer's 'The Elements,' along with every song like them I've ever heard, and lots that I haven't.

Sorry about the vague naming, I haven't been there for some years and it may take some finding, but it does/did exist.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: fumblefingers
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 08:08 PM

I have "And Then We Wrote" that I've converted to MP3. It contains:
"In the D'Oyly Cart"
"Guide to Britten"
"Last of the Line"
"Pillar to Post"
"Prehistoric Complaint"
"Rain on the Plage"
"Rockall"
"The Album"
"The Royal Chamberlain's Regulations"
"The Seven Ages of Woman"
"There's A Hole In My Budget"
"Fragments"

Very entertaining.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 11:47 PM

Gurney, maybe you're thinking of http://www.science-groove.org/MASSIVE/searchbrowse.html where MASSIVE stands for Math And Science Song Information, Viewable Everywhere.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 09 Feb 09 - 03:06 AM

Back in the 60s, John Kaneen was a singer/guitarist who was everywhere on the Liverpool folk scene and he used to do a great version of Flanders and Swann's song " Have some Madeira, my dear". John moved to the Isle of Man ages ago and runs a folk music radio show.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Gurney
Date: 09 Feb 09 - 04:10 PM

Gerry, I think that is the one I remember, judging from size. However, after I posted I did Google 'Scientific songs' and found a site called that, that does just them. Smaller, but very focussed, and soliciting augmentation.

Websites change so much, if you leave them for a while, you don't recognise them when you return.

I used to do 'Madeira, M'dear' m'self.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Barbara
Date: 09 Feb 09 - 04:55 PM

Here's another mudcat thread where we were sussing out the lyrics for F & S's The Gay Gondolier
It also contains some links to YouTube recordings of other F&S songs.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 06:11 PM

The Gasman Cometh on YouTube. :-)

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST
Date: 15 May 11 - 12:48 PM

Kari, a Brit in NC: I desperately need the musical score of their song, Ill Wind. I was googling it and your post came up. You said you could scan the music. Do you still have it? Thanks so much! My email is [e-mail]. I appreciate your kind attention.
Kari

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 15 May 11 - 01:54 PM

The Flanders and Swann recordings are available in many forms -
of particular interest are 2 CD box sets which comprise all the available recordings, and a video.
The songbook appears to be out of print, but copies are readily available on the secondary market.

Flanders and Swann: THE COMPLETE

Flanders and Swann: HAT TRICK

Flanders and Swann (VIDEO)

The Songs of Michael Flanders & Donald Swann (BOOK)

The links given are to Amazon (US) - this is NOT an endorsement.
Their prices are frequently excessive, and their customer service abysmal.

Best wishes, Thomas.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: flambe
Date: 10 Jul 11 - 10:24 AM

I've just joined this site and I'm not quite sure how it works. I am desperately looking for a copy of the sheet music - voice and piano for Flanders and Swann's A Transport of Delight. I want to take it to the States with me for an engagement in just a few days. Can anyone help?

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: flambe
Date: 10 Jul 11 - 10:30 AM

Just joined this site and still working out how it works. John in Brisbane said way back in 1999 that he would be happy to send Flanders and Swann songs if people requested. I really need to get hold of the sheet music for A Transport of Delight - can you JohninBrisbane or anyone help?