Whiffenpoof Song & Kipling

Subject: Whiffenpoof Song & Kipling
From: Bob Clayton
Date: 23 Jun 97 - 02:19 PM

I am a fan of the writing of Rudyard Kipling, and have encountered a peom of his -- the title escapes me, unfortunately -- with a strong resemblance to the "Whiffenpoof Song." Kipling's poem starts out

To the legion of the lost ones, To the cohort of the damned,

(quoted from memory). The protagonist in the poem is a soldier in Her Majesties forces "going down the ladder rung by rung." The structure is very close to the WPS, and includes the "Poor little lambs who have lost our way," etc.

The question I have is: Which came first? My impression of the Kipling piece is that it is so well-crafted, and so meaningful, that it should have been first, but I just don't know. Anyone know? Feel like telling me?

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Whiffenpoof Song & Kipling
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 23 Jun 97 - 05:58 PM

Kipling came first, with "Gentlemen Rankers" As far as I know, the origun wasn't any secret when the Whiffenpoofers re-wrote it.

Subject: RE: Whiffenpoof Song & Kipling
From: LaMarca
Date: 24 Jun 97 - 04:35 PM

Dave Webber and friends have a really great recording of Peter Bellamy's settings of Kipling soldier songs, including "Gentleman Rankers", Danny Deever", "Ford O'Kabul River", "Loot" and many more on a CD called "The Widow's Uniform". We got our copy from Wally at Camsco Records (plug, plug) and love it. They said in the liner notes that Kipling detested the Whiffenpoof parody of Gentleman Rankers, which is a pretty grim poem...

Subject: RE: Whiffenpoof Song & Kipling
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Jun 97 - 06:48 PM

Oh, good..more Kipling! I'm glad to see those arrangements with renewed life...Peter Bellamy was a genius....

(Uh...Bob..LaMarca..Dick..we have to stop meeting like this...folk will talk...)

Subject: RE: Whiffenpoof Song & Kipling
From: Pete S
Date: 21 Jul 97 - 02:21 PM

i know most, but not all, of the wiffenpoof song. does anyone have a source for the lyrics? thank you!!

Subject: RE: Whiffenpoof Song & Kipling
From: Whippoorwill
Date: 21 Jul 97 - 02:25 PM

Pete: It's in DT. Search for Whiffenpoof.