rec. needed: Hippopotamus song

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Barry T
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 02:23 PM

Well... so much for trying a direct link to the MP3. Just scroll down the page from the first link above and you'll get to a section called Listen to samples.

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Barry T
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 02:16 PM

You can order the CD of the Serendipity Singers' version of the song from Amazon here. The CD is titled The Many Sides of the Serendipity Singers. There is an MP3 of a few measures worth of the song here.

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 02:00 PM

thanks, all, surely I will be able to find at least one of these still in print. -- MA

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Troll
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 07:59 AM

There is a final verse.
The bold hippopotamus, whose love song we know
Is now married and father of ten.
He murmurs 'God rot 'em ' as he watches them grow,
And he longs to be single again.
He'll gambol no more on the banks of the Nile,
Which Nasser is flooding next spring.
With hippopotamas
In silken pajamas
No more will he teach them to sing...
ch. Mud! Mud! Glorious mud! etc.
The reference to Nasser is most likely pertaining to the Aswan High Dam.

troll

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Greyeyes
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 10:58 AM

Sorry, missed a space.

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Greyeyes
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 10:57 AM

Click here

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Greyeyes
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 10:55 AM

JIB, I don't think that can be the correct title, but try this link.

Click here

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Greyeyes
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 10:26 AM

I've checked in an out of date copy of "Tracks" I have and as well as those mentioned above the Hippo song was released on albums called "British Comedy Classics", "Hello Children Everywhere Vol 2", and an Ian Wallace album called "All Aboard".

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 07:41 AM

Flanders and Swann never cease to amaze me. For the first time last night I heard what was a masterful performance of 'I Can't Sing In Tune' (or similar) by an operatic soprano. A brilliant piece of composition and performed beautifully. If anyone is aware where I can find a recording I would dearly love to add it to my collection.

Regards, John

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 04:08 AM

MAG: Ian Wallace is, of course, a "proper" operatic singer, but delights in the lighter side of music. BBC Radio 4 devotees will remember he often appeared (does one appear on radio?) on the musical quiz My Music, with John Amiss, who could whistle entire classical works, Dennis Norden and the late, lamented Frank Muir. THe programme was chaired by Steve Race (Who remembers his instrumental hit "The Beeje"? I can't remember how it went, but it was a very long time ago...)

As for my handle, I'm gong to have to post an explanation on the Newcomer's thread, I think. It's not as rude as it might sound, honest!

LFF

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Lena
Date: 11 Nov 00 - 09:34 AM

Strangely enough.I heard this song at a singing session yesterday night...

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Bradypus
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 05:21 PM

If you don't like 'At the drop of a hat', but want the Hippopotamus Song sung by Flanders and Swann, it's available on a compilation album called 'Junior Choice Volume 1' (CD-MFP 5890). The CD is full of children's hits from the 50s and 60s - things like Nellie the Elephant, Jake the Peg, Woody Woodpecker and Ernie (the Fastest Milkman in the West). Given a choice between Ernie and Madeira ...

Bradypus

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Lanfranc
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 06:56 PM

There were two versions of the Hippopotamus song, one on "At the Drop of a Hat", and the other on "At the Drop of Another Hat". I have an original vinyl mono album of the first surplus now that I have integrated my late father-in-law's record collection with my own. It's scratchy, but playable, and a real period piece. I had thought of putting it on Ebay, but if any MudCatter is interested, make me an offer, and I'll send the proceeds to swell the Mudcat funds. Highest bidder wins, of course.

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 06:34 PM

Thanks, Micca, but I need an overground recording I can add to my library collection.

LFF, I check 2 distributors for Ian Wallace, as someone else mentioned him, and didn't see anything but classical. I didn't think Dick or Sandy would carry this not-traditional stuff. (I've always been afraid to ask about your "handle.")

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Bert
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 05:20 PM

here

Don't forget to get to CDNOW by clicking on the "help Mudcat" logo. or see if Dick Greenhaus can get it for you

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 04:43 PM

Ian Wallace did indeed record it, and his was the version regularly played on Children's Hour (or whatever it was called) on BBC Radio.

LFF

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Micca
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 04:25 PM

I have the Cd called the "Bestiary of F&S" and it doesnt have the Hippotamus song on it, but if you Pm me I could make a tape of the ones suitable for children.....

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: GUEST,Barry T (not at home)
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 03:15 PM

I recall that one recorded by The Serendipity Singers.

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Greyeyes
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 03:03 PM

There was definitely an album of their animal songs released by F&S, which would be more suitable for children.

Many of the animal songs were actually written for Ian Wallace so I'd be surprised if he didn't record it.

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 02:21 PM

thanks, everybody; yes that's the song but I really need a recording. I'll check the 2 mentioned. I love this group!

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Hollowfox
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 01:17 PM

John Lithgow's new dc "Singin' in the Bathtub" (Sony, 1999) has it.

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Bert
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 01:16 PM

I know Ian Wallace sang it, but I don't know if he recorded it.

Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Micca
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 01:09 PM

and I could do you a tape of F and S if needed...but it was, sorta, their sig. tune... and I know of no other recordings,,

Subject: Lyr Add: THE HIPPOPOTAMUS SONG (Flanders & Swann)
From: Micca
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 01:06 PM

Is this the one you mean MAG??
The Hippopotamus Song

A bold hippopotamus was standing one day
On the banks of the cool Shalimar
He gazed at the bottom as it peacefully lay
By the light of the evening star
Away on a hilltop sat combing her hair
His fair hippopotamine maid
This hippopotamus was no ignoramus
And sang her this sweet serenade

(chorus)
Mud, mud, glorious mud,
Nothing quite like it
for cooling the blood
So follow me follow
Down to the hollow
And there let us wallow
In glorious mud

This fair hippopotama he aimed to entice
From her seat on that hilltop above,
As she hadn't got a ma to give her advice,
Came tiptoeing down to her love,
Like thunder the forest re-echoed the sound
Of the song that they sang as they met
Him inamorata adjusted her garter
And lifted her voice in duet

(chorus)

Now more hippopotami began to convene
On the banks of that river so wide,
l wonder now what I am to say of the scene
That ensued by the Shalimar side,
They dived all at once with an ear-splitting splosh
Then rose to the surface again,
A regular army of hippopotami
AII singing this haunting refrain.
(chorus)

Subject: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:50 PM

A customer asked me for the "Glorious Mud" song, which I was able to identify (through our wonderful database) as Flanders and Swan's "Hippopotamus Song," but my (extensive) children's music collection does not seem to contain it. Does anyone know who else has recorded it, since I don't remember "At the Drop of a Hat" as being for children? "Have some mamdeira, my dear" is on my hate list, in fact.)

TIA, MA