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Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW

25 Oct 02 - 03:43 PM (#811331)
Subject: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: annamill

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


25 Oct 02 - 03:44 PM (#811333)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: MMario

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

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


25 Oct 02 - 03:47 PM (#811337)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: annamill

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.


25 Oct 02 - 04:13 PM (#811354)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: annamill

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.


25 Oct 02 - 04:24 PM (#811360)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: MMario

*I* knew what you meant!

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


25 Oct 02 - 04:26 PM (#811363)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: annamill

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


25 Oct 02 - 04:40 PM (#811370)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: MMario

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

see here


25 Oct 02 - 04:42 PM (#811371)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: MMario

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

sorry - screwed that up!

here


25 Oct 02 - 04:50 PM (#811376)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Charlie Baum

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


25 Oct 02 - 04:52 PM (#811379)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Charlie Baum

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


25 Oct 02 - 04:56 PM (#811381)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Jeri

Sounds like a hymn tune, Charlie.


25 Oct 02 - 06:16 PM (#811445)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Nancy King

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


25 Oct 02 - 07:34 PM (#811499)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: kendall

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)


26 Oct 02 - 03:01 AM (#811745)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Joe Offer

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-


26 Oct 02 - 05:29 AM (#811768)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Micca

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


26 Oct 02 - 04:35 PM (#811973)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: annamill

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


27 Oct 02 - 08:10 AM (#812358)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: GUEST

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


27 Oct 02 - 08:50 AM (#812393)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Leadfingers

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!


01 Nov 02 - 02:21 AM (#815711)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: birthday song at FSGW
From: Hrothgar

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