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Jilly_in_VA

(12,709 posts)

38. When I was in college at UW-Madison

Sun Jul 27, 2025, 04:22 PM

Jul 27

the group I hung out with were insane Tom Lehrer fans. A couple of the guys were taking the first semester of Art History which featured pre-Columbian art, and they actually parodied "national Brotherhood Week"! What I remember is:

Oh, the Olmecs hate the Toltecs,
And the Toltecs hate the Zapotecs,
And the Mayans hate the Aztecs,
And everybody hates Peru!
But during Meso-American Week,
Meso-American Week,
Tlaloc and Quetzalcoatl are dancing cheek to cheek!
It's fun to sacrifice
Someone you despise
And let the others hang around and drool!

I told you we were crazy back then. Too much pot.

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Highlight:

Tom Lehrer, Musical Satirist With a Dark Streak, Dies at 97 [View all] WhiskeyGrinder Jul 27 OP

Lehrer was a terrific satirist PJMcK Jul 27 #1

He was brilliant FalloutShelter Jul 27 #3

And, of course, Who's Next? PJMcK Jul 27 #9

Yes.👍🏻 FalloutShelter Jul 27 #14

Started listening to him, more than 60 years ago. Paladin Jul 27 #2

"We will all go together when we go" Walleye Jul 27 #4

Rest in peace, Tom. greatauntoftriplets Jul 27 #5

A much greater loss than Hulk Hogan! Jilly_in_VA Jul 27 #6

RIP Tom Jean Genie Jul 27 #30

This full concert is so awesome JT45242 Jul 27 #7

Yes, thank goodness it was recorded! He was a great influence on me, and on many, many others. TheRickles Jul 27 #20

Filks! Loved Star Wars filks, ha! electric_blue68 Jul 27 #39

97. He's been around forever. Thanks. NT mahatmakanejeeves Jul 27 #8

. regnaD kciN Jul 27 #10

Tom Lehrer was probably the most brilliant American musical satirist of the 20th century. DFW Jul 27 #11

I agree with your assessment. Lionel Mandrake Jul 27 #19

Thanks for the comments on Lehrer's piano playing. Pinback Jul 27 #31

These are still topical as all get out, and a wry pleasure to listen to! Hekate Jul 27 #42

A few years ago he released all his compositions to the public domain Fiendish Thingy Jul 27 #12

"political satire became obsolete when kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize." niyad Jul 27 #13

From Weird Al Yankovic mahatmakanejeeves Jul 27 #15

Still have some of his CDs edbermac Jul 27 #16

The quote that you have used in your post made me laugh. Funny, but also a perfect example of Lehrer's humor. FadedMullet Jul 27 #34

RIP (and CNN) CloudWatcher Jul 27 #17

Didn't know he was still around Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jul 27 #18

heard his songs on dr demento AllaN01Bear Jul 27 #21

One of his better ones - Poisoning Pigeons in the Park Gimpyknee Jul 27 #22

Good one! jmbar2 Jul 27 #24

Flawless. Pinback Jul 27 #33

"And maybe we'll do in a SQUIRREL or two..." Paladin Jul 27 #36

I saw him once, I think twice but MuseRider Jul 27 #23

Had all his LPs at one point Warpy Jul 27 #25

We did Vids to "Masochism Tango" and "Be Prepared" Deep State Witch Jul 27 #26

Dammit. Susan Calvin Jul 27 #27

Tom Lehrer has graciously gifted us with lyrics and scores to his music. usonian Jul 27 #28

I got into trouble for singing National Brotherhood Week in the 5th grade lol yliza Jul 27 #29

I've quoted from one of his songs lately. . . DinahMoeHum Jul 27 #32

The Irish Ballad struggle4progress Jul 27 #35

Loved what I heard of Lehrer back in high school in the '60s. Finally bought his collection when I saw it on CDs ... Hekate Jul 27 #37

When I was in college at UW-Madison Jilly_in_VA Jul 27 #38

RIP. Vatican Rag, National Brotherhood Week are the two I remember... electric_blue68 Jul 27 #40

Another one of the greats from my college days has gone. Liberal In Texas Jul 27 #41

Although TFT are parodists instead of cabarestists, we unashamedly claim Tom Lehrer as one of our main inspirations DFW Jul 27 #43

At least he went peacefully. Peacefully. Peaceful-l-y MurrayDelph Jul 28 #44