Written in 1909 for the formation of the
Yale Whiffenpoofs, an all male
a capella group, and sung later by
Bing Crosby. Also used as the opening to the
television series
Black Sheep Squadron, as well as in various
movies. The lyrics are based on a poem by
Rudyard Kipling entitled '
Gentlemen Rankers'. My favourite
drinking song, good for closing right before they throw your drunk ass out on the street:
From the tables down at Morry's
To the place where Louie dwells
To the dear old temple bar we love so well
Sing the Whiffenpoofs assembled
With their glasses raised on high
And the magic of their singing casts its spell
Yes, the magic of their singing
Of the songs we love so well
'Shall I Wasting', 'Mavourneen', and the rest
We will serenade our Louie,
While life and breath do last,
Then we'll pass and be forgotten with the rest
We are poor little lambs who have lost our way
Baa, baa, baa
We are little black sheep who have gone astray
Baa, baa, baa
Gentlemen songsters off on a spree,
Doomed from here to eternity
Lord, have mercy on such as we
Baa, baa, baa