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Origins: McNamara's Band? / MacNamara's Band
DigiTrad:
MACNAMARA'S BAND
Related thread:
Tune Req: MacNamara's Band (5) (closed)
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Subject: Lyr Add: bazoon From: bet Date: 14 Mar 03 - 12:26 PM I'm teaching the song Macnamara's Band to my students and it says, " McCarthy pumps the old
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: bazoon From: Leadfingers Date: 14 Mar 03 - 01:26 PM A bassoon is a bass oboe.It has a double reed on a tube that appears to come out of the middle of the instrument,as it is a "folded over" long tube.One of the orchestral woodwinds. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: bazoon From: bet Date: 14 Mar 03 - 01:27 PM I know what a bassoon is but is that a bazoon? bet |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: bazoon From: Leadfingers Date: 14 Mar 03 - 01:46 PM Perhaps its a relation of that other misttyped instrument the Bonzonki as featured in another of Malcom Austins Lovely songs |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: bazoon From: katlaughing Date: 14 Mar 03 - 02:44 PM Misttyped it might be, but that's me sis yer pickin' on, Leadfiners!**BG** bet, I'm guessing spelled with a "z" as you have it in the title, must surely be the same thing as a bassoon? Off to do some research! luvyakat |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 14 Mar 03 - 02:52 PM Of course it's a bassoon. No research necessary. See, for example, MACNAMARA'S BAND, which also includes some slightly odd spellings, though not that one. There is a musician called Otis Bazoon, as it happens, but he plays the clarinet. |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: katlaughing Date: 14 Mar 03 - 02:52 PM A quick check on google shows Bazoon as a surname in some genealogical research! Nothing music related, though. I'm betting it's just a colloquialism of bassoon. What say you, Mudcatters? |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: Leadfingers Date: 14 Mar 03 - 03:00 PM But what about the Bonzonki ?? |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: GUEST,alinact Date: 14 Mar 03 - 03:09 PM I used to have one but the wheels fell off! Allan |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: bet Date: 14 Mar 03 - 03:55 PM Thanks, bet |
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Subject: Lyr Add: MACNAMARA'S BAND / MCNAMARA'S BAND From: Tiger Date: 14 Mar 03 - 05:24 PM There's the English original (DigiTrad), and the one made popular in the US by Bing Crosby. Folks hearing one or the other and intermixing them have resulted in some of the weird concoctions you find online. Here's da bot' a dem:
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: catspaw49 Date: 14 Mar 03 - 05:42 PM Former bassoonist here would say it's just a spelling thing, but I never pumped a bassoon in my life. Is that supposed to mean he was playing hard like in "pumping it out?" I would remind everyone that a bassoon isn't a normal instrument to "pump it out" on as even at it's loudest, it's not a very loud instrument. Poetic license and all that I guess.......... Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: TheBigPinkLad Date: 14 Mar 03 - 05:46 PM I onced pumped a basson but I got away with a fine and a caution ... |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: TheBigPinkLad Date: 14 Mar 03 - 05:47 PM ... or was it a bassoon? ;o) |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: Bob Bolton Date: 14 Mar 03 - 11:14 PM G'day Leadfingers, " ... But what about the Bonzonki ?? ..." That reminds me of the Australian CD of local group Taliesin, in a review of which, one was said to play "the Irish bazooka". I asked the reviewer if that was the Russian T 36, as used by the IRA? Regards, Bob Bolton |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: bet Date: 15 Mar 03 - 02:22 PM Thanks catspaw49, I guess that's why I didn't think it was bassoon. I was hoping for a firm answer but will settle for whatever I get. Thanks all for your help. bet |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: Mark Cohen Date: 15 Mar 03 - 06:05 PM Hmmm...'Spaw played the bassoon...that might explain a lot. Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: Leadfingers Date: 16 Mar 03 - 07:01 AM The Bazouki is an eight string greek anti tank guitar |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: Bob Bolton Date: 16 Mar 03 - 07:06 AM G'day Leadfingers, Tanks for that! Bob ... ;-) |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: The Pooka Date: 16 Mar 03 - 05:15 PM Mr 'Spaw? Pumps?? Bazooms??? I'm so cornfoozed. / An' *I'm* a *McNamara*, already! On me sainted Mother's side. / O so they're Bazookae, izzit. That a Rocket in yer Pocket, or nyaah, nevermind. :) Thanks for that Original Version! I love it. / "Whenever an election's on...", indeed. Love, Hennessey Tennessee |
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Subject: COMMENT re: McNamara's band From: GUEST,Kirkpatrick spouse Date: 09 Jan 06 - 12:13 PM Sure, 'tis a grand song and a fine string of comments altogether! |
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Subject: Lyr Add: MACNAMARA'S BAND (Stamford / O'Connor) From: GUEST,Mike, Thomas O'Connor, the composer's grands Date: 04 Jan 07 - 05:28 PM Hi, I'm Thomas O'Connor's grandson, the music writer of McNamara's band. I am an heir member of the UK Performer's Rights Society. We (myself and 5 other heirs) get a few pounds a year in royalties. His real name was Thomas, on the sheet music given an Irish flavour by calling himself 'Shamus". He wrote the song in Barnet, North London - his wife was Ethel McNamara. There are a few tales about how it got to be written : for a William Ashcroft; after the American group "McNamara's band"; but it is more likely he wrote it for his wife. He was born 8 Aug 1878 in Liverpool, his father was born in Cheshire, and Thomas's grandfather was born in Ireland, possibly in Roscommon. Firstly - the word is "Bassoon". I have a copy of the original music as published by J H Larway in 1917, an "authorised" copy. The song was actually first sold in 1914 to Larway. They were taken over by Edwin Ashdown Music, and are now part of the Music Sales publishers in Frith Street in London. The actual words (and spellings, caps and punctuation) were as follows and they clarify the bassoon / "pumps" questions etc. MACNAMARA'S BAND (Stamford / O'Connor) My name is Macnamara, I'm the Leader of the Band, And tho' we're small in number we're the best in all the land. Oh! I am the Conductor, and we often have to play With all the best musicianers you hear about to-day. When the drums go bang, the cymbals clang, the horns will blaze away, MacCarthy puffs the ould bassoon while Doyle the pipes will play; Oh! Hennessy Tennessy tootles the flute, my word 'tis something grand, Oh! a credit to Ould Ireland, boys, is Macnamara's Band! Tra - la la lah, etc. Whenever an election's on, we play on either side- The way we play our fine ould airs fills Irish hearts with pride. Oh! if poor Tom Moore was living now, he'd make yez understand That none could do him justice like ould Macnamara's Band. When the drums go bang, etc. We play at wakes and weddings, and at every county ball, And at any great man's funeral we play the "Dead March in Saul," When the Prince of Wales to Ireland came, he shook me by the hand, And said he'd never heard the like of "Macnamara's Band." When the drums go bang, etc. The American version is correctly attributed above as 'by Red Latham, Wamp Carlson and Guy Bonham (The Three Jesters) . . . c 1940, Jerry Vogel Music Co., Inc." The words are very different, the politics of "Ould Ireland" are removed; the words are made more "Irish" (Me name is . . . rather than My name is . . .). The racial stereotypes of the final two verses are completely added, turning it into a comedy song! Oh!, me name is Macnamara, I'm the Leader of the Band, And tho' we're few in numbers we're the finest in the land. We play at wakes and weddings, and at every fancy ball, And when we play at funerals we play the march from Saul. Oh! the drums go bang, and the cymbals clang, and the horns they blaze away, McCarthy pumps the old bazoon while I the pipes do play; And, Hennessey Tennessey tootles the flute, and the music 'tis somethin' grand, A credit to old Ireland is Macnamara's Band! Right now we are rehearsin' for a very swell affair, The annual celebration, all the gentry will be there. When General Grant to Ireland came, he took me by the hand, Says he, "I never saw the likes of "Macnamara's Band." Oh! the drums go bang etc. Oh me name is Uncle Yulius and from Sweden I have come, To play with Macnamara's Band and beat the big bass drum, And when I walk along the street the ladies think I'm grand, They shout "There's Uncle Yulius playing with an Irish band". (no chorus here) Oh! I wear a bunch of shamrocks and a uniform of green, And I am the funniest looking Swede that you have ever seen. There's O'Briens and Ryans and Sheehans and Meehans, they come from Ireland, But by Yimminy I'm the only Swede in Macnamara's Band. Hope this long email helps - I plan to add this and more details to Wikipaedia soon! Mike. |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: Lighter Date: 04 Jan 07 - 06:33 PM Thank you, Mike. A valuable contribution. |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: Leadfingers Date: 04 Jan 07 - 06:56 PM As close as 'From the horses mouth' as we are going to get ! Thanks Mike ! |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: Bob Bolton Date: 04 Jan 07 - 09:48 PM G'day GUEST: Mike T O'C's t C's g, I presume the "American version" uses essentially the same tune that your Grandfather wrote. It certainly became one of the world's standard tunes! My Dad (who was well aware of popular 'community' songs - and was one of the compilers of the first Australian Boy Scout Songbook) of ten joked that there were " ... really only 2 tunes: McNamara's Band and the other one ... ! Regards, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 05 Jan 07 - 05:36 PM As played by that most estimable character, retired soldier and professional musician, Mattthew Bagnet, in Charles' Dickens' Bleak House - sadly left out of the otherwise exellent TV recent BBC TV version. Here he reminisces about his wife and her role in his musical career: "She is a treasure!" exclaims Mr. George. "She's more. But I never own to it before her. Discipline must be maintained. It was the old girl that brought out my musical abilities. I should have been in the artillery now but for the old girl. Six years I hammered at the fiddle. Ten at the flute. The old girl said it wouldn't do; intention good, but want of flexibility; try the bassoon. The old girl borrowed a bassoon from the bandmaster of the Rifle Regiment. I practised in the trenches. Got on, got another, get a living by it!" George remarks that she looks as fresh as a rose and as sound as an apple. "The old girl," says Mr. Bagnet in reply, "is a thoroughly fine woman. Consequently she is like a thoroughly fine day. Gets finer as she gets on. I never saw the old girl's equal. But I never own to it before her. Discipline must be maintained!" |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: GUEST Date: 03 May 08 - 04:36 AM ACTUALLY, 'BAZOON' IN ARABIC MEANS CAT! |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: GUEST,sharu king Date: 09 Jan 09 - 08:53 PM bazoon means cat is Iraqi dialect |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: Paul Burke Date: 10 Jan 09 - 07:33 AM The bassoon not a loud instrument? You obviously aren't married to a bassoon player like I am. They were used in military bands from the 18th century, muzzle loading ones back then of course. |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: dick greenhaus Date: 10 Jan 09 - 01:58 PM The folk analogue is a bombarde. And you're worried about enough volume? |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 10 Jan 09 - 02:14 PM I once had a girl friend with big bazooms. Great fun to play with. |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: Weasel Date: 10 Jan 09 - 02:19 PM It would seem to be a pronunciation thing - the "bazoon" is definitely a bassoon. Most (almost all) of the ex-military line band musicians I have met call the bassoon "bazoon". I have not been able to cure any of them. I suppose it's a bit like those people who refer to the bus (you know, the thing you ride in that never comes) as the "buzz". Cheers |
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Subject: Song origin: MacNamara's Band From: Genie Date: 31 Aug 09 - 06:32 PM Mike, thanks for adding you info on the song. I've checked Wikipedia, and though I had previously learned, from a sheet music book, that the original song dated way back before 1940, and though some of your comments are there now at Wiki, the Wiki page is confusing and still sort of makes it sound like the song was composed about 1940. The page probably needs a bit more editing to make the song's history follow chronologically and be make it clear when the original song was composed and by whom. Genie. |
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Subject: MacNamara's Band at Singtime Frolics 2008 From: Genie Date: 31 Aug 09 - 07:38 PM If you want to hear a wild rendition of this song, check this out: MacNamara's Band - Singtime Frolics 2008. |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: semi-submersible Date: 01 Sep 09 - 05:39 AM Oh, yeah, after putting my baby to sleep I used to pump the old bazoom using a very special instrument. |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: Tangledwood Date: 01 Sep 09 - 07:18 PM This obviously occured due to a silly mix up involving fonts and the translation of the lyrics from the original German. The word in the third line of the chorus was incorrectly interpreted as being "bassoon", a character in the middle of the word assumed to be double "S", as in the word "straße". Clearly the correct translation should have been baboon. This is obvious when taken in context with the fourth line of the chorus where, once again due to an inappropriate font, the word APES has been interpreted as PIPES. As in many folk songs, the activity being described in this chorus is better not investigated. |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 02 Sep 09 - 11:07 AM Ahem. I see why you have adopted a screen name which involves 'tangled.' |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: ard mhacha Date: 02 Sep 09 - 04:49 PM General Grant did go to Ireland, read all about it here, http://www.thewildgeese.com/pages/gr_ire2.html |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego Date: 03 Sep 09 - 04:17 PM Bazoon is related to Maroon. In the old Warner Brothers cartoons, Bugs Bunny often said of Elmer Fudd, or some other character, "What a maroon! (moron)" It's just a standard word spelled a little bit off for comic effect. Or it's some sort of clandestine weapon....? |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: Weasel Date: 03 Sep 09 - 04:31 PM A bit like the precursor of the trombone, the sackbut, which began life as weapon designed to pull a man from a horse. Cheers, Weasel |
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Subject: RE: Question: bazoon? in McNamara's band From: Reiver 2 Date: 03 Sep 09 - 06:35 PM I never thought of the instrument as anything but a bassoon and always used that term when singing it Some American who was familiar with Bob Burns famous homemade "instrument" that he called a bazooka may have misinterpreted it and subsituted an imaginary instrument called a bazoon. More likely it was jus a confusion of spelling with the z being used instead of an s. "Puffs", instead of "pumps" makes more sense: Thanks, Mike. The only question I have about the lyrics given above is the reference to "Hennessey Tennessee." I've never known of an Irishman named Tennessee. I had learned it as Hennessey Kennessey, which sounded more Irish to me. I can't argue with the grandson of the author, though! Reiver 2 |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: MacNamara's Band From: GUEST,# Date: 20 Apr 21 - 12:55 PM https://digital.library.temple.edu/digital/collection/p15037coll1/id/3489 Complete sheet music can be found there. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: MacNamara's Band From: GUEST,mg Date: 20 Apr 21 - 07:54 PM i have been in touch with a relative from gedmatch and i might be related to the man who wrote it. Relative's name is MacNamara..no he is McNamara. I will have to double check the spelling. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: MacNamara's Band From: GUEST,mg Date: 20 Apr 21 - 07:56 PM no. it was about the original McNamara's band which google says is name used now but original it was mac. my father when i was five told me i was irish and taught me this song. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: McNamara's Band? / MacNamara's Band From: GUEST,Martin Ryan Date: 21 Apr 21 - 07:25 AM Many years ago I was at a Barbershop Convention in Athlone, Ireland, where I was then living. At the late night "afterglow" session, one evening, one of the larger chorus groups took over the hotel dancefloor and did a hilarious version of this, complete with actions, barbershop style! Regards |
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