Homage to Tom Lehrer

A few weeks ago, Tom Lehrer turned 97. 

 

I imagine one of two responses to this news bulletin:

 

1)   Who?

2)   OMG, I loved him!!

 

I’m in the second camp, as early as 1965 when his album That Was the Year That Was came out. My social criticism neuron connections where just forming in my 14-year-old brain and his songs lit me up like the finale to the 4^th of July fireworks. Songs like The Folk Song Army, Smut, Pollution, New Math, So Long Mom (A Song for World War III), the Vatican Rag and the album opener, National Brotherhood Week. Hilarious and deadly serious at once, profound and silly, scathing and light-hearted—in short, satire at its best. Just him singing while playing piano in a wide variety of styles. That iconic purple-covered album was so memorable—just seeing it again, while looking up the Wiki entry on Mr. Lehrer, brought be right back to that childhood delight of listening to his sophisticated humor. 

And they hold up! Some years back, I played many of Allen Sherman’s re-working of known songs for my grandkids (Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh the top hit) and they loved it. But Tom Lehrer takes the humor up to another level. I’m writing this from the airport on the way to spend a week with them, so maybe I’ll give it a try. But I suspect 9 is too young an age and a contemporary 13-year old might be impatient with the uncoolness of the music. I’ll give it a try and report back.

 

Meanwhile, I remember during Earth Week some 10/ 15 years ago singing Pollution with the kids at my school and wondering whatever happened to Tom Lehrer. His songs were featured briefly in a 60’s TV show of the same title as that album, but he gradually dropped out of sight. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that he was living literally down the road from me (well, an hour down the road) teaching math and musical theater-history at the University of Santa Cruz. He also spent some time back East teaching math at MIT. I had the bold plan of tracking him down and inviting him to come sing for the kids at school, but alas, I got distracted and never did. Apparently, he still lives in the Santa Cruz area, but at 97 years old, not too likely he’ll drive up to San Francisco. 

 

At any rate, I’m happy to know he’s still on the planet and want to publicly thank him here for all the years of delight. For those whose response to the opening sentence was number 1, by all means, check out his songs. For the most part, they hold up. And those who answered 2, dig out your old records or go to Spotify, whatever, but check back in with the guy you once enjoyed. And both groups, share it with the kids.

 

Finally, here’s the lyrics to National Brotherhood Week to entice you. 

 

(And, by the way, does that week still exist? Outlawed? Cancelled?)

 

Oh, the white folks hate the black folks

And the black folks hate the white folks
To hate all but the right folks
Is an old established rule.

 

But during National Brotherhood Week
National Brotherhood Week
Lena Horne and Sheriff Clarke are dancing cheek to cheek
It's fun to eulogize
The people you despise
As long as you don't let 'em in your school.

 

Oh, the poor folks hate the rich folks
And the rich folks hate the poor folks
All of my folks hate all of your folks
It's American as apple pie.

 

But during National Brotherhood Week
National Brotherhood Week
New Yorkers love the Puerto Ricans 'cause it's very chic
Step up and shake the hand
Of someone you can't stand
You can tolerate him if you try.

Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics
And the Catholics hate the Protestants
And the Hindus hate the Moslems
And everybody hates the Jews.

But during National Brotherhood Week
National Brotherhood Week
It's National Everyone-smile-at-one-another-hood Week
Be nice to people who
Are inferior to you
It's only for a week, so have no fear

Be grateful that it doesn't last all year.