Toad's Song

October 18, 2013 8:15 AM

By request, from The Wind in the Willows.

posted by swift (3 comments total) 3 users marked this as a favorite

The world has held great Heroes,
As history-books have showed;
But never a name to go down to fame
Compared with that of Toad!
"The clever men at Oxford
Know all that there is to be knowed.
But they none of them know one half as much
As intelligent Mr. Toad!

"The animals sat in the Ark and cried,
Their tears in torrents flowed.
Who was it said, 'There's land ahead?'
Encouraging Mr. Toad!

"The army all saluted
As they marched along the road.
Was it the King? Or Kitchener?
No. It was Mr. Toad.

"The Queen and her Ladies-in-waiting
Sat at the window and sewed.
She cried, 'Look! who's that handsome man?'
They answered, 'Mr. Toad.'
posted by swift at 11:27 AM on October 18, 2013


Ha ha! Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! Completely transformed from the rum-pum-pum, flagon-waving version I usually hear in my head. I love what you've done with it, the rattling bluesyness, the downplaying/undercutting of the pomposity, and the vocal delivery. From English riverbank to US riverboat! Really cool. Cheers very much, swift!

(It probably goes without saying that this was one of my requests).
posted by comealongpole at 2:35 PM on October 18, 2013


Thank you for requesting it! I never would have thought to do this on my own.
posted by swift at 9:59 PM on October 18, 2013


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