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rec. needed: Hippopotamus song

09 Nov 00 - 12:50 PM (#337177)
Subject: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: MAG (inactive)

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

09 Nov 00 - 01:06 PM (#337191)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE HIPPOPOTAMUS SONG (Flanders & Swann)
From: Micca

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)

09 Nov 00 - 01:09 PM (#337195)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Micca

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,,

09 Nov 00 - 01:16 PM (#337196)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Bert

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

09 Nov 00 - 01:17 PM (#337198)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Hollowfox

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

09 Nov 00 - 02:21 PM (#337249)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: MAG (inactive)

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

09 Nov 00 - 03:03 PM (#337284)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Greyeyes

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.

09 Nov 00 - 03:15 PM (#337289)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: GUEST,Barry T (not at home)

I recall that one recorded by The Serendipity Singers.

09 Nov 00 - 04:25 PM (#337340)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Micca

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.....

09 Nov 00 - 04:43 PM (#337350)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Long Firm Freddie

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

09 Nov 00 - 05:20 PM (#337374)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Bert

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

09 Nov 00 - 06:34 PM (#337442)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: MAG (inactive)

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.")

09 Nov 00 - 06:56 PM (#337454)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Lanfranc

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.

10 Nov 00 - 05:21 PM (#338241)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Bradypus

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

11 Nov 00 - 09:34 AM (#338608)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Lena

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

12 Nov 00 - 04:08 AM (#339054)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Long Firm Freddie

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

12 Nov 00 - 07:41 AM (#339098)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: John in Brisbane

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

12 Nov 00 - 10:26 AM (#339149)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Greyeyes

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".

12 Nov 00 - 10:55 AM (#339166)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Greyeyes

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

Click here

12 Nov 00 - 10:57 AM (#339168)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Greyeyes

Click here

12 Nov 00 - 10:58 AM (#339169)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Greyeyes

Sorry, missed a space.

13 Nov 00 - 07:59 AM (#339632)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Troll

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

13 Nov 00 - 02:00 PM (#339846)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: MAG (inactive)

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

13 Nov 00 - 02:16 PM (#339865)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Barry T

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.

13 Nov 00 - 02:23 PM (#339870)
Subject: RE: rec. needed: Hippopotamus song
From: Barry T

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.