Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain

Subject: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: GerryM
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 05:11 AM

This has appeared on Tom Lehrer's website :


DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

I, Tom Lehrer, and the Tom Lehrer Trust 2000, hereby grant the following permission:

All the lyrics on this website, whether published or unpublished, copyrighted or uncopyrighted, may be downloaded and used in any manner whatsoever, without requiring any further permission from me or any payment to me or to anyone else.

Some lyrics written by Tom Lehrer to copyrighted music by others are included herein, but of course such music may not be used without permission of the copyright owners. (The translated songs may be found in their original languages on YouTube.)

In other words, all the lyrics herein should be treated as though they were in the public domain.

In particular, permission is hereby granted to anyone to set any of these lyrics to their own music and publish or perform their versions without fear of legal action.

This permission applies only to the lyrics on this website. Most of the music written by Tom Lehrer will be added gradually later with further disclaimers.

Note: This website will be shut down on December 31, 2024, so if you want to download anything, don’t wait too long.

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: keberoxu
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 12:33 PM

... and him still alive to tell the tale, bless him.

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: EBarnacle
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 01:54 PM

A fuller statement. Remember, though this is only good through 2024.

Tom Lehrer's Bequest

No, don’t worry. He’s still here. But, at 92, that is not likely to remain the case indefinitely, so the renowned mathematician, pianist, lyricist, satirist and pigeon poisoner has decided to take care of a few housekeeping details.

As of this afternoon, the professor has formally and officially released all of his musical works into the public domain. This deeding appears to include the sound recordings of his compositions, which he has posted, free for you to download, on the website tomlehrersongs.com.

The compositions include the original selections from "Songs by Tom Lehrer," noted as the single most profitable and recouped record of all time, recorded for a total cost of fifteen bucks in a bare bones “record your voice” studio and eventually selling millions.

Under the Copyright Term Extension Act of 1988, Lehrer’s compositions would have remained the property of his heirs and assigns for 120 years from creation or 70 years after his passing. Lehrer’s donation to the public domain of his copyrights allows anyone to use his compositions for any purpose immediately.

It should be noted that Professor Lehrer’s largesse is not quite unlimited, and his site contains the warning that recordings and lyrics will be downloadable only until the year 2024. Something to light a fire under you procrastinators.

I understand few people are, like me, actually googling the professor every couple of weeks to make sure he still walks among us, so the news of his gift may have escaped notice.

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: leeneia
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 02:09 PM

Now I can sing "Fight Fiercely Harvard" while cleaning up the kitchen with no fear of repercussion. Thanks, Gerry.

What is a recouped record?

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 03:19 PM

Looking at the cost of recording ($15) I'm guessing 'recouped record' is a record for sales value compared to initial outlay.

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 03:21 PM

Also, good to see that this has been linked (above the discussion) to lyrics we already hold at Mudcat. As the website availability may only be to 2014, are there others we need to copy/paste onto this site?

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: Lost Chicken in High Weeds
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 07:09 PM

I'd never heard of this fellow before other than vague recollections of having seen the name mentioned here or there, knowing nothing at all beyond. After seeing this I went to investigate a little, read, listening on YouTube Music, and discovered a rather interesting artist. Much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 07:43 PM

my favourite is The Hunting Song as illustrated by Mad Magazine

sandra

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 11:17 PM

This story was on NPR this evening. They predict more use (and just in time for the 2020 election - who know how these songs will be used?)

"Helen Gahagan
Ronald Reagan?"

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: EBarnacle
Date: 22 Oct 20 - 06:45 PM

Three game wardens, seven hunters and a cow.

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: GUEST,Jon Bartlett
Date: 22 Oct 20 - 08:07 PM

Tom's generosity ought to encourage well-known lefty outfits (looking at you, The Richmond Organization)to follow suit.
Fraternally,
Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: Mrrzy
Date: 22 Oct 20 - 10:03 PM

Well, bully for the old rhymester!

Smut but shut uncut unsubt (tadadada ta)
Tle

Subject: Tom Lehrer's Bequest
From: Haruo
Date: 23 Oct 20 - 03:32 PM

A very interesting bit of news about the copyright status of Tom Lehrer's songs:

Tom Lehrer puts all his songs in the public domain.

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Oct 20 - 10:02 AM

If you're in the mood https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk02rkp9xjPPn4wMlyLl8_5T4Ype3Lw:1603720213975&q=Tom+Lehrer+We+Will+All+Go+Together+When+W

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 26 Oct 20 - 10:27 AM

I have downloaded some of the sets of words and found them far less funny than when Lehrer sings them. It must be a combination of the words themselves, the accompaniment and the delivery.

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: Jack Campin
Date: 17 Dec 22 - 07:19 PM

This has resurfaced. Has he added more?

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Dec 22 - 07:59 PM

Hi, Jack - I think the collection he posted is complete, but I haven't thoroughly checked. https://tomlehrersongs.com/

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 18 Dec 22 - 05:00 PM

I don't know if anything has changed but I think the buzz is because a guy with a big social media following came across the statement on the website. His tweet as gone viral.

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: GerryM
Date: 19 Dec 22 - 10:31 AM

I haven't checked, but I thought the news was that not only the lyrics and sheet music, but now the recordings are available on that website.

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: Jack Campin
Date: 23 Dec 22 - 05:32 PM

all his sheet music in one indexed file

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer lyrics to public domain
From: NightWing
Date: 24 Dec 22 - 04:25 AM

It looks like it depends on the ownership situation of a particular song.

Some of the songs are on recordings that he is the sole owner of. Those songs are available for download or streaming on that website.

Other songs that he wrote have more complicated ownership. If the song was commissioned for something (e.g., the Sesame Street and Electric Company songs), then he is not the only party with ownership, so those songs do not have recordings. Where he wrote words for existing tunes, the same situation applies.

IOW, some songs have recordings, others do not.

BB,
NightWing