Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW

Subject: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: annamill
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 03:43 PM

Hi. I heard a song done that wasn't your usual run of the mill birthday song done at the FSGW last weekend and I would like the lyrics if anyone knows them. I could find them in the DT under "no use at all" and birthday. Can anyone help?

Love, Annamill

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: MMario
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 03:44 PM

I'm assuming that was "couldn't" find them?

It wasn't the 'Barbarian Birthday Chant' - was it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: annamill
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 03:47 PM

Yes, it was couldn't. Sorry. I don't know what it was called until I see the lyrics. I believe it was sung for Charlie Baum. Some of the lyrics were "He's no bloody use to anyone" or something simular. I want to send it to my ex-husband. It's his birthday.

L.A.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: annamill
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 04:13 PM

Not that Charlie ISN'T any use. Oh, please know that the song was done with love and respect! I loved the song and I thought it was cute.

You have to be so careful and I'm tired.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: MMario
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 04:24 PM

*I* knew what you meant!

were there grunts in the chorus? if so it probably WAS a variant on the barbarian song

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: annamill
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 04:26 PM

Thank you MMario. Do you know where I can get the lyrics? I tried a search in the DT and a google.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: MMario
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 04:40 PM

if it was a variation on the Barbarian Birthday chant - also known as the "volga Birthday Dirge"

see here

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: MMario
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 04:42 PM

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/music/birthday-dirge-faq/

sorry - screwed that up!

here

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 04:50 PM

It's an old FSGW tradition:

Why was he (she) born so beautiful?
Why was he (she) born at atll?
He's (She's) no bloody use to anyone.
He's (She's) no bloody use at all.

[shouted:]: Him! Him! (or Her! Her!)

And it wasn't sung for me (at least this weekend, it wasn't). On Saturday, we sang it for Jennifer Wood's (knitpick's) birthdayt
On Sunday, we celebrated Janice Cole's birthday.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 04:52 PM

And the tune has nothing to do with the Volga Boatman (Ei Ukh N'em), though in fact, that other birthday song was ALSO sung.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 04:56 PM

Sounds like a hymn tune, Charlie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Nancy King
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 06:16 PM

I think it's a rugby song -- the words, anyhow. Not sure where the tune came from.

Jeri, you're probably right about the hymn tune, but I can't place which one.

At any FSGW gathering, we ALWAYS sing this immediately after "Happy Birthday." (one of our more dubious traditions, IMHO). I used to worry (but only a little) that my sons, thinking it was a legitimate part of the song, would blurt it out -- in fabulous harmony, no doubt -- at school or at some innocent kid's birthday party or somewhere else, but if they did, I never heard about it. Just as well.

We've even sung it at memorial services. I remember KC assuring the relatives before starting the song that "it sounds like an insult, but it's really more like a firm handshake."

Cheers, and why weren't you born so beautiful?

Nancy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: kendall
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 07:34 PM

In some circles they also add:
He/she ought to be publically pissed on,
He/she ought to be publically shot,
And put in a public u RInal,
And left there to fester and rot.

Happy Birthday (grunt)
"         "       "
Happy Happy happy birthday (grunt)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Oct 02 - 03:01 AM

There's a great thread on birthday songs here (click).
A search for no bloody use shows the song has been posted a few times here. Fortunato posted it three times, to honor various people. Kendall Morse and Dick Greenhaus posted it to honor themselves....
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Micca
Date: 26 Oct 02 - 05:29 AM

in the3 Uk the "why was he born so beautiful.." is often followed with the verse
" we called on the bastard to sing us a song
we called on the bastard to sing us a song
we called on the bastard to sing us a song
so sing ya bugger sing"!!!!


and they are expected to sing

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: annamill
Date: 26 Oct 02 - 04:35 PM

Thank you all so much. When this sond was done at the Getaway, I thought it was wonderful. I wanted to share it with my ex who also is of welsh/english heritage.

Again, thank you. Anna

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 08:10 AM

I learned this when I was hooking for a (mostly) US Army rugby side affiliated with the Heidleberg Rudder Club in 1966. I believe I first heard the song "erupt" at a match at the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) base at Dusseldorf. The club we were playing were called the Dusseldorf Dragons. Our first string, composed of young, fit, football all-Americans, ex-US college ruggers and innocent bystanders (me), played the Dragon's "C" side made up of toothless, 45 year old Quartermaster Sergeants Major(QSM) - all built like fire plugs.

Anyway, the Dragons trounced us mercilessly but, in the best traditions of the sport, proceeded to throw the best party I've ever been to. At some point (late) in the evening, one of their blokes was weaving his way back to his chair when he tripped and fell, spilling his pint. Instantly, the party broke into "Why Was He Born So Beautiful" and it wasn't because it was his birthday - just a faux pas! It certainly does work for birthday occaisions as well.

KC

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Leadfingers
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 08:50 AM

It was always sung after Happy Birthday to You when I was in the RAFin
the early sixties,and both verses were sung regularly in NAAFI song sessions along with'We Call upon NNN to sing us a song',but our version was 'Sing,sing or show us your ring-We dontwant to see your ring so sing you bastard sing!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Hrothgar
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 02:21 AM

And the response is "Bloody well wouldn't have been if the taxi hadn't bounced!"