Tom Lehrer - Poisoning Pigeons in the Park - with intro

Tom Lehrer on public domain (2020):
tomlehrersongs...
www.amazon.com/...
Use the above link and get the uninterrupted Lehrer TV-performance and The Tom Lehrer Collection from Amazon.com.
www.shoutfactor...
If you live in the United States you can also buy the collection from Shout! Factory, using the above link.
itunes.apple.co...
Use the above link to buy Tom Lehrer's songs on iTunes.
- - -
Enable 480p and use the arrow icon! "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park" is now REPUBLISHED yet another time to celebrate a lot of video views for the first two versions published to KZbin. Why? Well, to offer the song in (even) slightly better quality. The old version is still on the channel, but use HQ if possible and play back the video on a single KZbin page to get a bigger video window.
The song in this video was written by Lehrer as early as 1952 or 1953 (may be even earlier), years before an Austrian version appeared, for which Lehrer did not get any credit. Sometimes Lehrer himself would cover other people's songs, but they were always credited. "Poisoning Pigeons In The Park" is a true Tom Lehrer original. Use the link below to read more about the Kreisler/Lehrer discussion:
home.broadpark....
Some people have written messages to this channel, angered because of the posting of this song. They are "friends of all animals", which basically means that they didn't get it.
In 2008 Lehrer really said "OK" to "The Tom Lehrer Wisdom Channel" on KZbin, as long as the performance is not altered and as long as it's free in the KZbin flash video format.
Click on the user name and visit the channel's front page. The channel is Lehrer only. And here is a link to the channel's support page:
home.broadpark....
(The National) Audobon Society is here:
www.audubon.org/
© Tom Lehrer
Recording date: September 11th 1967
Format: Ampex Quadruplex PAL 4:3
Status: A very rare recording
Storage: Sony Digital Betacam
2009 KZbin Source: 720 X 576 mp4 with H.264 compression
Production and preservation: The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation - the NRK, Norway. More here:
www.nrk.no/info...

[@Reziac]

I used to keep pigeons. I would sing this to them every morning as they were being fed, to remind them how lucky they were to not be park pigeons.

[@maxkim7115]

+Rez Zircon lol nice

[@yaumelepire6310]

Ishh...

[@MADNIKstudios]

Of course the person who's crazy enough to own pigeons sings to them

[@Reziac]

True :)

[@Francis-ht5td]

I understand You have to keep the pigeons in check

[@TheNimshew]

Give a pigeon a handful of seeds, you feed it for the moment. Teach it to use a handgun and you feed it for a lifetime.

[@DreadBirate]

good joke you from 4 years ago

[@vzvdm]

Good taste.

[@noone-pl2gj]

@@DreadBirate good comment you from 1 year ago

[@doogandoggin2571]

😂🎆😂🎉🍗

[@christiandanielcaballero1896]

@@noone-pl2gj good comment from 7 months ago

[@shmales7023]

So. Amazing. My dad used to sing Tom Lehrer songs on road trips when I was a kid. Dude's a genius. Like fr. The fact that his songs are still hilarious decades later is a testament to just how much truth is in them. I just introduced my very angsty and sarcastic 14-year-old to his satire and got a genuine laugh. Just for that, I will not only be a fan but also eternally grateful. Lol.

[@firstlastington]

How's your kid doing

[@TheHutchy01]

Another Lehrer song that opens cheerfully but then gets really fucking dark

[@gregorsamsa9264]

TheHutchy01 It's kind of his thing.

[@DoncasterA1Music]

TheHutchy01 Why, oh WHY are people laughing at this?

[@Oodain]

because of the incoherence between tone and content? it breaks expectations, a big part of a lot of humour.

[@roberthill799]

Because they have a sense of humor. You should think about getting one too.

[@ReturnJaguar]

Pigeons severely lack cleanliness & omens as 🐀🐀🐁🐁🐀🐀🪳🪳🪳

[@involuntaryanalysis]

Tom Lehrer was doing the nihilistic comedy shtick before it was cool.

[@matthewsheldon3291]

It looks like the camera man shook the camera as if to say "yeah" when he asked if they liked spring.

[@noodleification]

This was played at my nans house the night she died, it really helped lift the mood because she liked the song and it was just amazing and will always have that memory with the song for me

[@patrickbourlett3680]

you ever get the feeling he's not joking?

[@hank1519]

Actually, the song is about the city of Boston's policy of pigeon control using poisoned bait. www.nytimes.com/1964/02/27/archives/boston-kills-6000-pigeons.html

[@hank1519]

@not an ai Thanks! Wiki says the policy was used in the Boston area in the 1950s

[@hank1519]

@Rayna Ramsay It is! I know that they are messy, but I do love them.

[@squiglemcsquigle8414]

all his words are true its only said in a joking manner

[@jontone7866]

@@squiglemcsquigle8414 satire

[@benk6737]

When they see us coming, the birdies all try n' hide But they still go for peanuts when coated with cyanide His rhymes, I'm telling you.

[@roberthill799]

That is the greatest line in the history of American music.

[@angellynn7104]

⁠@@roberthill799idk, “it’s not against any religion to want to dispose of a pigeon” is also immaculate

[@multiio1424]

The applause at the end is interesting. No whooping or cheering, even though it's evident that the audience loved the song. Things do change somewhat in 50 years.

[@holden190]

I think it’s in Norway.

[@jennifercavenee7572]

This is the most sick, vile, disturbing thing I have ever seen. 10/10, immediately subscribed.

[@BisexualPlagueDoctor]

Wait until you see the masochism tango 😀

[@6funswede]

Er....well, if people take the time to read the whole video description, they can actually visit (The National) Audobon Society. I´d never post a single video on KZbin without a proper video description.

[@therealzilch]

Tom Lehrer is a treasure.

[@SwagnemiteXD]

[Lyrics] Spring is here, spring is here Life is skittles and life is beer I think the loveliest time of the year Is the spring, I do, don't you? Course you do But there's one thing that makes spring complete for me And makes every Sunday a treat for me All the world seems in tune on a spring afternoon When we're poisoning pigeons in the park Every Sunday you'll see my sweetheart and me As we poison the pigeons in the park When they see us coming The birdies all try and hide But they still go for peanuts When coated with cyanide The sun's shining bright Everything seems all right When we're poisoning pigeons in the park We've gained notoriety And caused much anxiety In the Audobon Society With our games They call it impiety And lack of propriety And quite a variety of unpleasant names But it's not against any religion To want to dispose of a pigeon So if Sunday you're free Why don't you come with me And we'll poison the pigeons in the park And maybe we'll do in a squirrel or two While we're poisoning pigeons in the park We'll murder them all amid laughter and merriment Except for the few we take home to experiment My pulse will be quickenin' With each drop of strychnine We feed to a pigeon It just takes a smidgin To poison a pigeon in the park

[@meganewing2607]

I would have loved to see him live

[@jdgindustries2734]

Maybe the next time he goes out in public?

[@JackDaniels2535]

this man was pooped on one too many times lol

[@howtube61]

I have always liked this song and play it every year to celebrate the first day of spring.

[@mynameismynameis666]

The Song in german is called "Taubenvergiften im Park" and was sung by one of the original historical "inglorious Basterds" GEORG KREISLER

[@Funaru]

actually, Georg Kreisler (the austrian comedian) released his poisoning-pidgeon-waltz also in the mid-50s, about at the same time as Lehrer. It is not clear who plagiarised whom or if they maybe just both had the same idea... melody and texts are also rather different. Have a look at the Wikipedia article about Kreisler if you want to know more.

[@stevendimmock4791]

There really haven't been many people in history that you really could say was a one off, but Tom was one. He gave so much to this world, love Him.

[@6funswede]

@headlessrd, heh heh, yes. Lehrer didn't need to look at the keyboard, because (quote) "when he was sitting at the piano it was automatic...." And of course he is an accomplished pianist as well as a satirist ;D

[@doogandoggin2571]

We need this man now.

[@MikesOrganicVideos]

I didn't know if I would find "actual footage" or Lyrics over music when I searched for Tom Lehrer. what a treat! Growing up in my house, my Mom played her 2 or 3 Tom Lehrer albuns constantly...I became quite a fan of his wry, intelligent, sometimes sardonic humor. I will of course give this a place of honor on my KZbin Channel; MikesOrganicVideos!

[@roberthill799]

“Sometimes”? 😉

[@searchingly]

this is for all those who have been 'bombed' by the pigeons in the park. you go, tom lehrer!

[@d-brothers3112]

This guy is amazing

[@jonhu4127]

Sounds like he spent too much time in the parks on Wilshire Blvd. On the other hand, I introduced a coworker to his music with this song. She hated pigeons so she loved this track.

[@sillyone52062]

Spring is almost here!

[@LordSkudley]

Every year, at spring time, I sing this little ditty!

[@hannak.5628]

I love this song soooooooo much!!!!!!!

[@Mathematician2]

This is my all-time favorite Tom Lehrer song. As I've mentioned before, I lip-synced this song in Theater class and people at school still remember it.

[@Documentts]

Shame this guy never married or had kids. Imagine being related to or Tom being your grandfather, would be one lucky person

[@marianikulina7663]

Ballet music and a really Nice dance and such a lovely song

[@6funswede]

warren52nz, yes, you're absolutely right. Not that I'm objective here, but in reality the world has rarely seen a musical satirist comparable to Tom Lehrer. Keep playing the song(s :-)

[@6funswede]

Nicarambas, yes, Hicks was (is) a favorite. But Lehrer´s piano playing and his clever lyrics -- without any F-words -- puts him in a league of hos own :-)

[@warren52nz]

It doesn't get much better than this when it comes to musical satire. Is Tom still around? I play this song on guitar at parties and it always gets a laugh. Still have to work out the right chords in the middle, it's more complicated than it sounds. Such a great pianist.

[@momatomic]

Hahahahahahahahahaha! Tom, you are the original funny guy..and with no real knowledge, on my part, I'll bet Wierd Al and Ray Stevens are some of your top fans. You are a musician with impeccable timing, with superb and sublimely rhyming. Love ypur timeless humor with great big sprinkes of truth!!! Wowweewoo! You are the coolest of the cool!

[@BEFinAR]

This man was brilliant!

[@msfyn]

I love this man!

[@inkycat5542]

Me too!

[@joannakruger5596]

This song would make Nikola Tesla cry :p

[@lovelyfairy27]

That was funny, but at the same time his voice is wonderful!

[@Jess420bitch]

Thank You...You have the answer to a question no one asked.

[@brendendielman3150]

the first time i heard " and maybe we'll do in a squirrel or two" i lost my shit

[@jackgrant9301]

Not sure if its the same concert, probably is, but i used to have a cd that was a collection of live songs from 1959 and 1960 and it included a lot of talking in between, which if anything was even funnier. Some of the stuff he said just wouldnt get on mainstream media in ANY generation, but cracked me up, having a dark sense of humour.

[@tommorganti1254]

tom lehrer, tom waits

[@SlugMcSlug]

We sang this song at a full moon celebration at our church last night so I looked it up and found this. Awesome.

[@6funswede]

@milsani1991, you are wrong. Please open and read the video description under the video window.

[@sallylowe8488]

Wow learning some new history here.

[@needmorebrain]

@VelvetChain also not correct. While the theme is identical Kreisler goes for his own approach to the subject. He would spare the squirrels - also in german-austrian society Audubon does not exist so he won't mention it. Instead in his german version he minds the careful listener to be aware of sparrows which could interfere the pigeon killing. Also Kreisler discusses several types of poison like cyanide and arsene. His tune is different too.

[@user-bk3bp5yy7m]

Like minds

[@Swishyhead]

I once saw a guy with an opened bag of Lays being chased by a flock of geese.

[@6funswede]

This video is now out on DVD. Please read the updated video description or visit the channel page!

[@notveryrea1]

16 pigeons dislike

[@something.icantrememberany1365]

and a squirrel.

[@anothertalkingmonkey]

...or two

[@mrpigeo]

yes

[@6funswede]

@feckingbillgates, yes, I agree, but to get an uninterrupted performance buy the new DVD.

[@TheDreadfulDrifter]

The allure of brilliance no-doubt

[@krudmonger]

Perfect song for this fine spring day. ':)

[@Longuncattr]

This song is excellent for karaoke.

[@PhilipKonrad]

Well spring is finally here. So I guess it's time to get those little ... birds. P.S. this song is why i'm not aloud to have be in parks. jk

[@KoolTunes4Daze]

Pigeons are nothing but Rats with Feathers!

[@griffin3964]

That puke milk and have wings.

[@yuno9121]

@INTERNETWORK what's wrong with you

[@TripinFL]

Dr. Paul Bearer,used to lip sync this on Creature Feature on WTOG in Tampa when i was a kid.

[@benchmarknerd123]

He's 92 years old now 😳

[@GoatBeach]

I learned this song at age six in the early '60s....

[@polkjmsb]

This guy is where 4chan people went before 4chan

[@6funswede]

@wmc98, as a matter of fact Tom Lehrer isn't dead. He is very much alive ;D

[@LeopardInTheMist]

Shale +15 approval.

[@6funswede]

@feckingbillgates, yeah, well, you know, if you visit the channel (click on my stupid username) you'll see that the versions posted in 2007 don't have much intro credits. But I reposted the stuff to get 480p and that was when I used these endless text stuff. I hope people go for the 2007 versions rather than this "better" one ;D

[@hugo1089]

A true musical subversive! and a classic!

[@MsSarjen]

Great humor :D

[@editorangel59]

It’s still very legal in the USA to poison pigeons today

[@marcusallard8626]

Life is skittles and life is beer

[@CrankyRayy]

taste the rainbow

[@GaryBall-vb2jk]

When you're poisoning pigeons in park make sure the squirrels are there to everybody knows that it can get their food also we don't want the squirrels to know that they are being poisoned in the park also

[@0ShadowG0]

He still lives. Hi's 81 now.

[@6funswede]

@SimuLord, needless to say, I loved this comment.

[@nickr753]

lol, the piano at 2:00... hilarious anticlimax

[@coopw6365]

Did anyone else notice that this was recorded 34 years before 9/11? :(

[@6funswede]

@feckingbillgates, look, I don't disagree with you, because those endless intro and end credits are horrible. But I wanted to use them just in case a DVD would be coming, so that people would get fed up with the cred's and buy the DVD instead. It's only a few dollars and now the DVD is out. People should get it instead of being annoyed by the KZbin versions.

[@potterx98]

Those who have adds before seeing the video, there's a dance song which is sometimes advertised before the clip. What is it?!

[@LordKingKamiGuru]

The specific advertisement shown on your computer is based on the cookies you currently have, and those are based on your online habits, and what country your IP is allocated to. Chances are most people see a completely different advertisement. I'm currently studying abroad in the Czech Republic, and all of my videos are in Czech about electronics, whereas they in past time have been in English about electronics.

[@potterx98]

Ah... That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for clarifying!

[@corvettevalentine4480]

Man the animal rights activists would have a field day with this song

[@cillyhoney1892]

Why can't I find a man like this?

[@TheHutchy01]

Ask around at Harvard. Someone in the maths department must have his address

[@cillyhoney1892]

TheHutchy01 I want a 1967 era Tom Lehrer-esk man not the actual current present day one. Not a Grandpa chaser.

[@prodigysingh1]

10 pigeons watched this video and disliked!

[@UnrelatedArchives]

I thoroughly agree with the above statement of a Miku fan. Heh, I guess Tom Lehrer can attract all audiences. ALL of them.

[@benjaminschmidlkofer9339]

This reminds me of one of phone boufays songs but at the same time it's the exact opposite and she would be super opposed by killing pigeons 😂😂

[@Frogiful]

classy.

[@CasualObserver02481]

Poisoning Presidents in the Park?

[@ShaimaElMabsouta]

Richard Somers I love you 🤣

[@Usayasha]

...yes, because judging people based on heritage and religion is TOTALLY valid.

[@summerbum86]

It's true. I probably WOULD go home with a guy who did that.

[@The.lady.in.green.Penelope]

im an evil disny princess in the woods with the tied up bird hero.

[@LadyBirdieBop]

it's not plagiarizing, it's "research" :P

[@roberthill799]

And he STILL lives, turning 94 this Saturday, April 9, 2022!

[@Mccampbellthomas]

well looks like i know what i'll be playing next high school talent show

[@heathcliffO_o]

Fun fact: this man claims to have invented the jello shot....and I believe him.

[@peng226]

I love singing this in the shower.

[@Languslangus]

🎵

[@VelvetChainOfficial]

@milsani1991 Incorrect. As the uploader already stated, your "Austrian satirist" actually stole it from Lehrer.

[@csurname]

Rick Wakeman took that opening figure for Changes by David Bowie

[@TheAnubisDrake]

LOL Singing a secularists song at a church meeting :D

[@MrFcStPaulifan3]

lol, how i arrive here? 0.0

[@E-102_Gamma]

What about starlings?!

[@swordfish1929]

I'm free to go any day

[@microchoc]

Dont do the squirrel they at least sound tasty

[@Daelyah]

Their meat is quite delicious! But make absolutely sure to get those tiny bones out, if you plan on eating them.

[@snakesheddingskin]

I think it was Georg Kreisler, wasn't it?

[@Membrane556]

Sounds like fun what about geese? I hate fraking geese.

[@Alanthewhite]

sorry thanks