SIR GREENBAUM'S MADRIGAL
Words, Allan Sherman; music, trad. "Greensleeves"
As recorded by Allan Sherman on "My Son, the Folk Singer" (1962)

In Sherwood Forest there dwelt a knight
Who was known as the righteous Sir Greenbaum,
And many dragons had felt the might
Of the smite of the righteous Sir Greenbaum.

I chanced upon him one morn
When he'd recently rescued a maiden fair.
"Why, why art thou so forlorn?
Sir Greenbaum, is thy heart heavy laden?"

Said he: "Forsooth, 'tis a sorry plight
That engendered my attitude bluish."
Said he: "I don't want to be a knight.
That's no job for a boy who is Jewish.

"All day with the mighty sword and the mighty steed
And the mighty lance!
All day with that heavy shield
And a pair of aluminum pants!

"All day with the slaying and slewing
And smiting and smoting like Robin Hood!
Oh, wouldst I could kick the habit
And give up smoting for good!"

And so he said to the other knights:
"You may have my possessions and my goods,
For I am moving to Shaker Heights
Where I've got some connections in dry goods.

"Farewell to the dragon's claw
And the other swashbuckling games and sports.
I'll work for my father-in-law
When I marry Miss Guinevere Schwartz!"


Aloha,
Mark