Hi Phil,

I strongly suspect the parody you're thinking of is "Getting Out With a Ph.D.", written by Ted Hodapp, parodist and Morris & Rapper dancer par excellence -- shortly before receiving his own (from the University of Minnesota, I think, but I could very well be misremembering that bit).

I had the pleasure of hearing him sing it at the Midwest Morris Ale ~15-20 years ago & begged him for the words so I could add it to my own repertoire, & he kindly obliged:
^^
GETTING OUT WITH A PHD
(Ted Hodapp)

It's a damn tough life, full of toil and strife, we graduate students have
And we don't give a damn, when our thesis is done, how hard the profs did rave
'Cause we're employment bound from this ivy ground, where the benefits they are free
And nobody cares, we were just splitting hairs; getting out with a Ph.D.

Chorus:
Getting out with a Ph.D., me boys, getting out with a Ph.D.
We're employment bound from this ivy ground, getting out with a Ph.D.

We had to try to prove how and why and almost went insane
Them sleep-filled nights, them earthly delights, we soon shall see again
Six hellish years we passed away in a cold laboratory
But now we're bound from this ivy ground, getting out with a Ph.D.

Chorus

Once more I fail to read my mail as I type appendix A
The tenth draft's done; now comes the fun -- my advisor gets his way
Just try a few more things, he says; it'll make your thesis sound
And make my life a living hell -- thank God I'm outward bound!

Chorus

I've been on my knees to get my degrees; now commencement's just ahead
I played the game though I thought inane all the bullshit I'd been fed
And I would have finished this last verse, but I've got no time, you see
I've got to write both day and night to get out with my Ph.D.

Chorus

Enjoy!

P.S.
Tell Margaret & Joanne I said "hello!"; I don't get to Folk Alliance (or you guys' concerts) these days 'cos I live in Sheffield now...

Vikki Appleton Fielden