Frank Gallop - The Ballad Of Irving (1966)

Charted at #34 on Billboard Hot 100 in June 1966, and #2 on Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. This is a parody of records which told Western stories, (such as "Ringo" by Lorne Greene), which were big hits at the time. It was also released on the album in the photo. Frank was a radio and television personality, and an announcer for Perry Como. Frank had charted on the Hot 100 previously in 1958 when "Got a Match" charted at #57.
Written by Peppiatt, Aylesworth and Williams.
B-side is "Would You Believe It".

[@MrJefferypittfan01]

Brings back memories,Dr.Demento

[@susanshira3783]

Hand to the heavly! I had the sureal honor to hold on to the hips of the dearest doctor demento at sockhop in hs...

[@sarasunshinemt4444]

I loved that show growing up! I still have the collector CDs

[@owenohara623]

Yes,the good Doctor played so many great songs!!

[@coolkidsdiscord]

The good doctor still does his show every week! drdemento.com

[@D4zz13R]

I'm 31, that's was my childhood...I had weird parents...no regrets

[@arkie74]

I found Dr D when I was 9, and I have listened to him ever since. RIP DR D!! YOU WILL MAKE US LAUGH FOREVER!

[@tsitracommunications2884]

Dr. D died?!?

[@robertorick6383]

@@tsitracommunications2884 I think @arkie74 meant that Dr. Demento's radio show had officially ended. He closed up shop in 2021 after 50 years on the air. If you want to know about deaths in the music business for the last two days, here are two: Duane Eddy died at age 86 on May 1, and ELO's Richard Tandy passed away at 74 on May 2, 2022. May they R.I.P..

[@dariowiter3078]

​@@robertorick6383The good doctor ended his radio show in 2010, not 2021.

[@colinchamberlain1068]

My dad use to sing this in his local club ,open mic 🎤 night long before karaoke! The b-side quite good too !

[@williambarry8015]

Your dad is cool.

[@MrJsRevels]

I was 12 years old when I got the album "Dumb Ditties" (K-Tel) in 1977. My mommy got it for me for Christmas as well as the classic 1st Foreigner album, I still remember every song and every word from every song, and I haven't heard this since 1983 when I went in the army and my sister "inherited" all of my albums. This still makes me smile so much. I still remembered every word since this song pops into my head from time to time 35 years later. Thanks. Love it. Really..............

[@henrydrake8463]

My friend had that the Dumb Ditties album.We used to listen to this and howl. Woke up thinking about it this morning and found this recording.

[@chetthehoss]

I miss my Dumb Ditties album. Wasn't "Seven Little Girls" on that album too?

[@--Canon--]

@@chetthehoss yes

[@mystorian]

I also had "Dumb Ditties" in the early 80's. The whole reason I came across this was because somebody said "pumpernickel bread". From that moment, my mind went straight to this song. I don't remember much of anything else on this album (except for "Here Come the Judge", "My Ding-a-ling", "I'm Gettin' Nothing for Christmas").

[@scottbubb2946]

Not too long ago I was just scrolling around and I happened upon an album I had when I was eight-years-old. I'm 55 now and I hadn't heard it in all those years. It was a spoken word double album, actually, with a story read by different voice actors. I had completely forgotten about the existence of this album, but I wanted to hear it to see how silly it sounded to me now. I looked it up on KZbin and clicked on it. To my great surprise and amazement, the narrator started talking and so did I. Just like that, it all came back to me - every word. It was almost like I had learned something subconsciously without knowing it and a switch was flipped in my brain that made it all pour out. It was a strange, nostalgic feeling. Lol. Now I wonder what else I might have secretly squirreled away up there. I wondered if that was kind of how people with blocked memories feel when they are unlocked. Without the trauma, of course. Anyway, that only happened the one time. Most of the time I can't remember my kid's names. 🤣

[@uVueD2b]

I first heard this on the Dr. Demento show...still funny thru the ages!!!!

[@dariowiter3078]

uVueD2b Me too! 😀

[@catcollector6195]

Same here!

[@glennhecker4422]

Me three (four?)

[@stephenmcguire7801]

The tune charted in '66, and I heard it on local AM Top Forty (in G'ville, FL) a few times. This old Cracker still loses continence when I hear it!

[@Fortwentt]

same here

[@geneclark3600]

Every sunday night when I was like 10-13 or so, I would never miss a Dr Demento show. Classic childhood memories.

[@jingle3]

KMET?

[@williamashton9235]

This was a Demento mainstay. Were you listening the first time he played "Weird Al" Yankovic?

[@mrs.g.9816]

"He was sitting there twirling his gun around and butterfingers Irving gunned himself down". I especially liked hearing a woman's raucous laughter in the background near the end of the song. I have the whole record album. Years ago I played it at a party and we all just about died laughing non-stop!

[@carolkahn8596]

I grew up on this! I can't believe its available! I'm floored.

[@gaylezaidel7486]

10.30 a.m. tuesday 3..10.2023. What an absolute pleasure to hear this song. I together with many other listeners loved the song which brought a big smile & much laughter to my person an absolute joy. Thank you thank you thank you would love more if possible.

[@alcd6333]

I played this for my family back in high school. Everyone laughed, but my mother (who's a Japanese immigrant) didn't get much of the humor and remarked, "Oh poor Irving! I have a friend named Irving at work!" I gave her a tape recording of the song to play for him at work. She said she did and Irving thought it was the funniest thing he ever heard - especially the ending!

[@Escul1960]

Today I heard the sad news that Lou Jacobi died at age 95. I LOVED this album and listened to it all the time when I was a little girl. RIP Lou - you were a comic genius and you'll be sorely missed.

[@armorybrunotjr.3204]

Hilarious! For those of you don't know who Frank Gallop was, he was an accomplished television announcer for several television shows, namely Perry Como's. Also, "The Ballad Of Irving" is a parody of Lorne Greene's tale of "Ringo" from 1964. RIP,Frank.

[@glennhecker4422]

It was also a parody of "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean.

[@flowerchildsmile]

I adored this album but could NOT find a copy anywhere. Such brilliant comedy with brilliant artists from Yiddish theater! Loved Lou Jacobi! What a great thespian!

[@carlsapartments8931]

In elementary school in the early 70's My best friend and I loved listening to this record . At our school talent show the two of us memorized & acted out several tracks off the album on stage for the school. Imagine two little kids delivering this kind of humor like that, we loved it.

[@jimcoulter5877]

Long Live Doctor Demento! We need Doctor Demento Back on the Radio!

[@mikehealy1724]

Chicago Ed Schwartz played The Ballad of Irving frequently on his overnight radio shift on WIND and later on WGN. This remains a timeless classic. We miss you Chicago Ed !!

[@ChicagoAstronomer]

I spent too many nights listening to Schwartz instead of sleeping for school. No regrets. (His shine dimmed when moved to WGN...still have a T-shirt of his.)

[@toneduarte9126]

This song was when people really enjoyed ribald humour! And a HUGETHANK YOU to the one and only Dr. Demento for helping to form this young man into who I am today! Butterfinger Irving, indeed!

[@Philtration]

Searched for this due to sudden flashbacks of The Dr. Demento Show back in the 70s.

[@peterrees6406]

Best line ......Irving was looking for 143 !!!!!!!!!!

[@jack002tuber]

I'm with you, Peter, best line.

[@jack002tuber]

Yup

[@stephenmcguire7801]

Ranking up there is "Irving's gun was there, but Irving was gone."

[@stephenmcguire7801]

"When the train pulled in at the break of dawn Irving's gun was there, but Irving was gone"

[@perrywinkle8183]

"Shot himself in the belly, just outside the Frontier Deli."

[@dakotah1978]

I remember hearing this growing up. My dad had a friend named Mervin. They used to sing this to him.

[@nels7347]

I listen to this through my entire adolescence and it brings back so many memories

[@alanramsay2821]

I was on a flight in the mid 90s in Australia, bored by the movie playing and started cycling through the in-flight music channels and caught this just as it was starting on the comedy channel. It was the first time I'd ever heard it and I remember having to cover my mouth to stop from laughing out loud. The bloke next to me looked at me like I was nuts! Just what I needed to put a smile on my face at the time and I've loved it ever since.

[@hairyabbott7161]

This was one of my dad's favorite songs. I never heard it on Dr. D Been trying to find (out) this song for ages. I see why da d loved it. I was 9 when this came out. 2nd grade in Des Moines Washington. Big Grin!

[@CatalinaThePirate]

😳 Holy wow, I haven't heard this in a VERY long time! Thanks (a bit belatedly) for posting! 😄

[@IGrillEverything]

1st song I listened to in 2023. idk why.

[@jefflebowski918]

I grew up listening to this album, thanks for uploading.

[@jingle3]

Loved this one on the Dr. Demento show on KMET back in the early 70s!

[@megiloth3634]

Mom had this 45. Loved it as a kid and heard on Dr Demento years later.

[@rinadeych]

Boy, does this bring back memories! I was 11 when this came out! Still funny after all these years!

[@cateclism316]

Loved this classic! Heard it many times on the Dr. Demento show.

[@ArielsPhotog]

havent heard this song in like 35 years, on the old Dr Demento Show

[@augusthawks6576]

I first heard this about 50 years ago and it still makes me laugh.

[@onewhowaits7674]

Ancient history. Pure genius. Share with your grandchildren and realize we are a rare few left that can tell the tale of the wonders of the wireless.

[@rickoc3022]

May the gods chuckle along with Dr. Demento.

[@rickoc3022]

@Anita Bonghit For 50 years and proud of it.

[@chan-l9298]

This was and continues to be a staple for many decades on the Dr. Demento radio show…

[@irasherman3308]

Omg, I have this album... Was my parents. Still one of the best comedy albums ever!!!

[@TralfazConstruction]

"Butterfingers Irving gunned himself down" it's in Frank Gallop's delivery of that line.

[@GeorgeWoodruff-v9l]

I did this song at my high school rock n roll talent show in 1978 I killed it, I was so nervous but I overcame, and they ask me to do it the students in the afternoon then again for the parents at the evening show, I was famous for 10 mins lol...

[@joeybonin7691]

Irving and Ringo are both part of my vinyl collection. Love the 60s.

[@kenfxj]

I remember listening to Dr. Demento on my old Panasonic AM radio (the one that was shaped like a donut) and just laughing my ass off.

[@philly452009]

I remember his show on now the extinct KMET FM94.7

[@philly452009]

on FAcebook there is apage called bring back the mighty met, KMET

[@Houdini774]

Philip Dickey"Little bit of heaven 94.7 KMET tweedle dee...".

[@kennethkahn7913]

You can still stream repeats of his show at www.drdemento.com/

[@raymccarty4612]

The yellow one that twisted?

[@rockland6674]

Recorded in a studio with the audience laughter and applause recorded later. Still funnier than most of the stuff being released today.

[@macro1958]

I remember my parents having this album. I still remember it to this day and I still love enjoy laughing with it.

[@thomaslauffenberger5795]

Now, if only he'd done a follow-up: "Gunfight at the Oy Vey Corral"...

[@alanbradbury7778]

That has to be the funniest comment I've heard in ages!

[@glenbonura6149]

lol lol lol

[@Stoogewriter]

Roflmao!

[@davidbrown7432]

Your hilarious!!!😂😂😂😂😂

[@flowerchildsmile]

Very good!

[@wrongwaypete]

The 45 rpm single, which was also the one played on local radio in my area, had an alternative line in the second verse, instead of, "He came from the old Bar Mitzvah spread With a 10-gallon yarmulke on his head..." It went: "He came from the old Bar Mitzvah spread A schlepping of salami on pumpernickel bread..."

[@stephenmcguire7801]

Yes, I heard that version as well.

[@CoCotheTurtle]

@@stephenmcguire7801 On Dr. Demento

[@WUZLE]

I'm in Reno at the moment and just heard a mechanic commercial that i would swear is inspired by this song

[@willieholmes1483]

I first heard this back in the Eighties on Dr. Demento’s show. I didn’t realize just how old it was. Love the line about the “10-gallon yarmulke”!

[@radioman970]

Was just listening to this on an old Dr. D show. What a hoot! "Irving's gun was there but Irving was gone......big HELP Irving..." LOLOLOL!

[@garysmith1759]

The version I remember said "He came from the old Bar Mitzvah spread, schelping a salami and a pumpernickel bread".

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

*"He came from the old bar mitzvah spread, with a 10-gallon yarmaulke on his head"* 😂😂😂😂

[@17Watman]

Just found out that Frank Gallop was my grandfather's aunt's husband. So he's related to my family by marriage.

[@spoonsk227]

Steve Carlson LOL

[@TralfazConstruction]

Cool.

[@hexl702too5]

The 142nd cousin once removed…. He’s the best!

[@Cheesegrater9000]

He was his Father’s Mother’s Sister’s Brother’s Nephew’s former Roommate.

[@tron3entertainment]

As a kid we had this song on an album called "Dumb Ditties". In that version the line went, "He came from the old bar mitzvah spread, schlepping a salami on pumpernickel bread..."

[@frankkolton1780]

Well this afternoon I'm stopping at the Frontier Deli and then when I go home, I'll be schlepping some nova lox, onion bagels, and cream cheese.

[@1atomicblond1]

" gunned himself down ". That's just too funny. Lol. 👍

[@davemartin9557]

What makes “The Ballad of Irving” even funnier is it’s a parody of the spoken word western ballads like “Ringo” by Lorne Green or “Big Bad John” by Jimmy Dean which were popular during the 60s.

[@jimbafaro8144]

Listen to Lorne Greene's The Ballad of Ringo, then listen to this, to really appreciate the humor.

[@jimhynes7039]

A real comedy classic!! I never got the two sets of dishes joke until years later.I know now folks who adhere to eating kosher sometimes use two sets of dishes.

[@scrapplepig]

And the joke is that gunslinger Irving would even use dish sets.

[@l33tsamurai]

Jim Hynes oh is that what it means?

[@indy_go_blue6048]

I think it's part of the Deuteronomy laws: You don't mix meat and dairy on the same plate, something like that.

[@PatriciaK55]

The great thing is that it doesn't matter if you understand about keeping Kosher -- it just seems so fussy-prissy-sissy to have two sets of dishes out on the range!

[@nunyabizznizz7326]

dr demento was mandatory listening for kids in 70's southern california...

[@indy_go_blue6048]

Back when people still laughed at themselves (almost all of the cast is Jewish, including two soon to be famous comediennes Valerie Harper and Nancy Walker of "Rhoda" fame) and they didn't have to drop the f-bomb every 5th word.

[@minermike61]

The older crowd didn't much go for the cuss words which meant you actually had to be funny. Don't get me wrong, when Pryor, Murphy or Carlin curse, it's funny but that can't be your whole act.

[@get-the-lead-out.4593]

indy_go_blue60 You hit the nail dead square on the head

[@kennethkahn7913]

Even though she almost always played a Jew from the Bronx, Valerie wasn't actually Jewish.

[@SteveStalzle]

Yes, Valerie wasn't Jewish, in real life.

[@paulgiglia7526]

Betty Walker. Not Nancy.

[@ogredad55]

I've always loved this song.......ha-ha-ha-ha......... Love it!

[@randb4865]

Perfect hybrid of the songs Ringo by Lorne Green and Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean, without sounding like either of them enough to be sued! LOL

[@hotrodhouse]

This is magic, its just what Benny Hill borrowed from in the UK with "Ernie, the fastest milk cart in the West". A great tune from my childhood and about 6 weeks at the No 1 spot. So cooool....

[@tanyamckinnon5376]

Loved Dr. Demento

[@catcollector6195]

Don't know why but "ordered 3 fingers of 2 cents plain" popped into my head this morning. This is still funny as heck.

[@MrSwedjen]

I haven't hoyd dat since the '60's. Good one.

[@SammyReed-cd4cu]

The "10-gallon yarmulke" line was on the single version. On the album, the line was "shlepping a salami on pumpernickel bread".

[@danielmcmullan4901]

"141 could draw faster than he, but Irving was looking for 143.." That line has stuck with me since I was a kid. Kinda like, "With 75 consecutive losses, I am due for a win.."

[@indy_go_blue6048]

Lol, I was posting a comment on another video a few days ago that mentioned 142 deaths. After my main comment I added, "like Irving the cowboy, I'm looking for 143" then erased it because I figured nobody would get the reference.

[@loop66]

"Walked into Sol's Saloon like a man insane, And ordered three fingers of two cents plain." lol

[@runly1]

I didn't understand this line when I heard it as a kid, but now I know that only a sissy would walk into a bar and order a little bit of seltzer. LOL!

[@LadyDeirdre]

@@runly1 I didn't understand it until just now; I had no idea what "two cents" was.

[@ChicagoAstronomer]

Today - 18 July 2021...I learned what "Two Cents Plain" meant....after decades of wondering. Solid.

[@leehuff2330]

I think I still have my father's old 45 of this!!

[@kb6kgx]

The lyrics change, from “with a t0-gallon yarmulke on his head” to “schlepping a salami and a pumpernickel bread” was because the record company thought that the first comment might be lost on the non-Jewish listeners.

[@kenfxj]

I think the second line might be funnier anyway.

[@cadjobster]

It has been genetically proven that several American Indian Tribes are decendants of the Dan Tribe (from the 10 Lost Tribes).

[@greggmoeller6307]

I agree--to be honest, the "schlepping" line change is funnier.

[@InnocenceExperience]

well they were right...it was totally lost on me.

[@scottbordelli177]

Good catch!

[@JennyBenFoldsFan421]

Heard this on Dr. Demento in the early 90s… Hilarious! Now when somebody is not helpful, I’m like thanks big help…

[@dariowiter3078]

I first heard this on Demento's show in the '80s. 🙂

[@TheMistermuppet]

thanks for posting for this. brings back memories

[@jeremyyff3632]

I just hear this tonight for the first time played by the Vinyl King on KOWZ Fm out of Owatonna MN. I just about died laughing.

[@chicagojeff]

Just genius...so miss this type of humor

[@diggydude5229]

My stepmom had this album when I was 6. My sister and I played it all the time, although we didn't get most of the Jewish jokes. I have it on CD now.

[@Fan_Made_Videos]

God this brings back memories. The laughing lady in the front row really captures it all!

[@flowerchildsmile]

Loved these albums "You Don't Have to Be Jewish" and "When You Are In Love the Whole World is Jewish". Priceless and no longer available anywhere. Such talent!

[@stephenowen124]

I once read an interview with Valerie Harper in which she said she was Jewish in her heart, but was not actually Jewish. I'm just saying what zI read. I liked her a lot.

[@nutballgazette]

I grew up on this album. Fathers side is Jewish, I found it on CD several years ago and bought 15 of them and gave them yo all of the family foer what else. (Christmas)

[@Floridafisherman5000]

Funniest song ever!! I actually have this album from way back. It was my parent's album. LOL

[@postatility]

We will dedicate this to Jimmy Dean and Frank Gallop.R.I.P. This is one of the greatest song parodies ever! Didn't Soupy Sales play this a few times on his show?

[@eddiel2531]

Had this album Dumb Ditties when i was a kid, loved it

[@ayokay123]

MAN, does this bring back the memories!

[@paulsheehan5010]

He wasn't fat, he was blind as a bat.

[@JeffryHeise]

The single release had a different line: "He came from the old Bah Mitzvah spread/smelling of salami and pumpernickel bread." I remember because I had the 45 and played it a lot.

[@scottburton9701]

Great song that Dr.Demento has played a time or two on his show.

[@Dion1957]

I love the "2 cents plain" line. Very NYC

[@royvaladez4051]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SONG!!

[@gfoursux9]

The Morning Zoo in the early 80's in Philadelphia

[@Angel9912221]

I first heard this song in the 1970's - my sister's boyfriend had it

[@Fortwentt]

so incredible

[@TheFofotron]

He was short and fat, and rode out of the West With a Mogen David on his silver vest He was mean and nasty right clear through Which was kinda weird, 'cause he was yellow too They called him Irving Big Irving Big, short Irving Big, short, fat Irving The hundred and forty-second fastest gun in the West He came from the old Bar Mitzvah spread Schlepping a salami and pumpernickel bread He always followed his mother's wishes Even on the range he used two sets of dishes Irving Big, fat Irving Big sissy Irving The hundred and forty-second fastest gun in the West A hundred and forty-one could draw faster than he But Irving was looking for one forty-three Walked into Sol's Saloon like a man insane And ordered three fingers of two cents plain Irving Big, fat Irving Big sport Irving The hundred and forty-second fastest gun in the West The James Boys was comin' on a train at first sun And the town said, "Irving, we need your gun" When that train pulled in at the break of dawn Irving's gun was there, but Irving was gone Irving Big, fat Irving Big help, Irving The hundred and forty-second fastest gun in the West Well, finally Irving got three slugs in the belly It was right outside the Frontier Deli He was sittin' there twirlin' his gun around And butterfingers Irving gunned himself down Irving Big, fat Irving Big dum-dum Irving Big dum-dum dead Irving The hundred and forty-second fastest gun in the West Really

[@zoppie]

That's the version I remember. Where did that ten-gallon yamulke verse come from?

[@michaelclendenen4005]

This is one of those silly songs that just makes myself just love it. So lm just silly myself. Who will help Ole me

[@luckyirvin]

in my life, not many i've actually met with my name irving my mother was old finnish lutheran apostolic laughed my ass off to hear this once again since the 60's

[@stebaer]

Yes this Brings back Memories of Dr.Demento and on which Prior to this I'd heard Irving The Indian boy and after this I heard The Hey Irving The shake shake song.

[@JOEYP1970]

+Stephen Baer Amen,at 45 today this album brings me back to the best of times!!

[@TheLimePopsicle]

@JubalCalif You're very welcome! Thanks for commenting!

[@armorybrunotjr.3204]

Bob McFadden voiced Lovable Truly in the Alpha-Bits ads of the 1960s. His character replaced Jack E. Leonard's The Friendly Post Man in those spots around 1963.

[@Setebos]

The audience laughter helps make this song.

[@the503creepout7]

ok i'll admit - the line about getting shot outside the deli made me smile.

[@mastersadvocate]

I got the 45 record in 1966 when I was just a little girl. I loved that song, and played it often, much to my Mother's annoyance. I enjoyed listening to the flip side of that record, too. Do you have the other song: When You're in Love the Whole world is Jewish ? I hope so. ~Janet in Canada

[@smittykins]

“Irving…big fat Irving…big dum-dum Irving…big dum-dum DEAD Irving…” 😂

[@TheLimePopsicle]

Very interesting!