Monty Python Codexery

The Lumberjack Song

The Python song that grew out of an unfinished barbershop sketch.

"The Lumberjack Song" is a Monty Python comedy song written and composed by Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Fred Tomlinson. It first appeared in the ninth episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus, "The Ant: An Introduction", broadcast on BBC1 on 14 December 1969.

Quick Facts

Artist
Monty Python
B-side
"Spam Song"
Released
14 November 1975
Recorded
3 October 1975 at the Work House, London
Genre
Comedy
Label
Charisma
Writer
  • Michael Palin
  • Terry Jones
  • Fred Tomlinson
Producer
George Harrison

Facts from the source article.

Background

Palin told NPR in 2007 that the scene and song were made in about 15 minutes at the end of a day when the team could not find an ending for the barbershop sketch before it. The song has since been performed on film, on stage and on record, each time leading out of a different sketch. It was released as a UK single on Charisma Records on 14 November 1975, backed with "Spam Song" and produced by George Harrison.

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