The incredible animation/musical extravaganza Fantasia was released in 1940. Among the classical songs performed was Ponchielli's Dance of the Hours. The dancing ostriches, hippos, and other cartoon fauna to the catchy tune made many a youngster a fan of the song.
One grownup noticed the potential of the timeless tune for possibly the greatest gag song ever written.
Allan Sherman was a familiar figure behind the scenes in Hollywood. He created and produced I've Got a Secret, a familiar show to us Boomers. At least he did until 1958, when he was unceremoniously dumped from the series.
Sherman didn't let it get him down, though. Instead, he started freelancing in a completely different direction.
He loved producing silly song parodies just for kicks. And soon, friends in high places noticed. Well-connected in Hollywood, Sherman was encouraged by pals like Harpo Marx and George Burns to get a recording contract.
Friends with clout like his soon arranged it, and he recorded a well-received album called My Son, the Folk Singer in 1962. More than anything else, he lampooned his own Jewishness, and it was hilarious.
The next year, he wrote a ditty to be sung to the tune of Ponchielli's masterpiece. It reached number two on the charts. And the definitive novelty song became a part of history.
Afterwards, anyone who would dare record a funny song, from Ray Stevens to Weird Al, would face having their work being compared to the greatest of all, Camp Granada. In fact, the song overshadows many other great novelties that were hits for Sherman. This guy was no one-hit-wonder, make no mistake.
It's just another great little thing about being a Baby Boomer, remembering when Camp Granada was originally hot on the charts.
Comments (5)
And here are the lyrics (courtesy of http://www.bussongs.com/songs/camp_grenada_short.php) with one small spelling correction:
Hello muddah, hello faddah
Here I am at Camp Granada
Camp is very entertaining
And they say we'll have some fun if it stops raining.
I went hiking with Joe Spivy
He developed poison ivy
You remember Leonard Skinner
He got ptomaine poisoning last night after dinner.
All the counselors hate the waiters
And the lake has alligators
And the head coach wants no sissies
So he reads to us from something called Ulysses.
Now I don't want this should scare ya
But my bunkmate has malaria
You remember Jeffrey Hardy
They're about to organize a searching party.
Take me home, oh muddah, faddah
Take me home, I hate Granada
Don't leave me out in the forest where
I might get eaten by a bear.
Take me home I promise I will not make noise
Or mess the house with other boys.
Oh please don't make me stay
I've been here one whole day.
Dearest faddah, darling muddah,
How's my precious little bruddah
Let me come home, if you miss me
I would even let Aunt Bertha hug and kiss me.
Wait a minute, it's stopped hailing.
Guys are swimming, guys are sailing
Playing baseball, gee that's better
Muddah, faddah kindly disregard this letter.
Posted by Katydragon | February 6, 2007 10:20 AM
Posted on February 6, 2007 10:20
THIS IS A SONG NEVER TO FORGET OR HOW COULD WE? I CAN REMEMBER HAVING SUCH FUN SINGING THIS WITH MY FRIENDS. AND ALSO HAVING ATTENDED CAMP! TOM SHAW
Posted by TOM SHAW | February 17, 2007 9:29 AM
Posted on February 17, 2007 09:29
Sherman always reminded me of the bald guy, Allan Brady, on the Dick Van Dyke show....
about the Jewiest commedian in history outside of Woody Allen and Richard Lewis....
Posted by scott | July 21, 2007 3:56 PM
Posted on July 21, 2007 15:56
My husband and I, while watching TV, saw a commercial and the music that was playing was "Dance of the Hours." We laughed and commented that every time we heard that music, the only thing that came to mind was "Hello Mudda, Hello Fadda." Some things never change.
Posted by Tomi Jackson | March 18, 2008 2:49 PM
Posted on March 18, 2008 14:49
This was classic! It was too funny! But it did give me second thoughts about going to summer camp which I hated anyway! The laugh track always cracks me up!
Posted by Rivers End | May 29, 2009 10:11 PM
Posted on May 29, 2009 22:11