Lumberjack Song
Monty Python
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
"Well the weather for the whole area Will continue much the same as the past few days Temperatures seventeen centigrade, that's forty-nine Fahrenheit Winds will freshen later tonight to south-west force six or seven And there will be showers sometimes heavy in many Oh sod it, I didn't wanna do this I don't wanna be a weather forecaster I don't wanna rabbit on all day about sunny periods And patches of rain spritting from the west I wanted to be A lumberjack! Leaping from tree to tree As they float down the mighty rivers of British Columbia The giant redwood The larch The fir The mighty Scots pine The lofty flowering cherry The plucky little aspen The limping Roo tree of Nigeria The towering Wattle of Aldershot The Maidenhead Weeping Water Plant The naughty Leicestershire Flashing Oak The flatulent Elm of West Ruislip The Quercus Maximus Bamber Gascoigni The Epigillus The Barter Hughius Greenus With my best buddy by my side We'd sing, sing, sing" I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK I sleep all night and I work all day He's a lumberjack and he's OK He sleeps all night and he works all day I cut down trees, I eat my lunch I go to the lavatory On Wednesdays I go shopping and have buttered scones for tea He cuts down trees, he eat his lunch He goes to the lavatory On Wednesdays he goes shopping and has buttered scones for tea I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK I sleep all night and I work all day I cut down trees, I skip and jump I like to press wild flowers I put on women's clothing and hang around in bars He cuts down trees, he skips and jumps He likes to press wild flowers He puts on women's clothing and hangs around in bars I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK I sleep all night and I work all day I cut down trees, I wear high heels Suspendies and a bra I wish I'd been a girlie, just like my dear Papa He cuts down trees, he wears high heels? Suspendies and a bra? He's a lumberjack and he's OK He sleeps all night and he works all day He's a lumberjack and he's OK Sleeps all night and he works all day
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: TERRY JONES, MICHAEL EDWARD PALIN, FRED TOMLINSON
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Genre Classification"The Lumberjack Song" is a comedy song that belongs to the genre of British sketch comedy.
|
CreationThe song was co-written by Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Fred Tomlinson, members of the British comedy group Monty Python.
|
DebutThe song first appeared in Episode 9 of the television show "Monty Python's Flying Circus," originally aired on 14 December 1969.
|
BackgroundThe lyrics of the song are filled with absurdity and comedic turns, reflecting Monty Python's trademark humour. It begins with a man expressing his intention to be a lumberjack and goes on to list various traits or habits of a lumberjack, which gradually become more absurd and less related to actual lumberjacking.
|
PerformanceThe song is performed predominantly by Michael Palin, who impersonates the singing Lumberjack. The chorus is delivered by 'The Fred Tomlinson Singers', a regular feature in Monty Python sketches.
|
Musical StructureThe song starts out as a tranquil ballad with the introduction of the lyrics accompanied by a tranquil flute music in the background. The tempo of the song changes to a lively marching rhythm as it gets into the main storyline.
|
Iconography"The Lumberjack Song" has become one of the most iconic songs from Monty Python, being frequently performed live and recorded on multiple albums.
|
Parodies and AdaptationsDue to its popularity, the song has been parodied and adapted numerous times. For instance, it was adapted in Muppet Show episode 27 where Kermit sings the song along with his nephew Robin and a group of singing, dancing trees.
|
ControversyThe song has links to controversy too as it includes cross-dressing themes, with the lead character expressing his fondness for wearing women's clothing. It has been both celebrated for its defiance of gender norms and criticised for making light of cross-dressing.
|
Live Performances"The Lumberjack Song" was arguably the highlight of the Python's live shows. It was performed during multiple live concerts, including Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl and their reunion show Monty Python Live (mostly) in 2014.
|
Looney Tunes ReferenceThe end of the song includes a shout of "I didn't expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition," which is a reference to another popular Monty Python sketch. However, in certain performances, this is replaced with a riff from the Looney Tunes theme.
|
Cultural ImpactThe Lumberjack Song has a significant cultural influence, it is frequently referenced in popular culture including films, TV shows, and music, attesting to its enduring popularity.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Lumberjack Song Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1541061/Monty+Python/Lumberjack+Song>.
Discuss the Lumberjack Song Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In