A Modern Majorgeneral lyrics translation: SULLIVAN SIR ARTHUR A Modern Majorgeneral song texte and letras SULLIVAN SIR ARTHUR A Modern Majorgeneral tab, paroles and testo SULLIVAN SIR ARTHUR A Modern Majorgeneral Karaoke and Music Video - none yet
I am the very model of a modern major-general,
I`ve information vegetable, animal and mineral,
I know the kings of England and I quote the fights historical,
From Marathon to Waterloo in order categorical.
I`m very well acquainted, too, with matters mathematical,
I understand equations, both the simple and quadratical,
About binomial theorem, I`m teeming with a lot o` news --
With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse.
[Dolichurus on last line]
I`m very good at integral and differential calculus,
I know the scientific names of beings animalculous,
In short, in matters vegetable, animal and mineral,
I am the very model of a modern major-general.
I know our mythic history, King Arthur`s and Sir Caradoc`s,
I answer hard acrostics, I`ve a pretty taste for paradox,
I quote in elegiacs all the crimes of Heliogabalus,
In conics, I can floor peculiarities parabolous.
I can tell undoubted Rafaels from Gerard Dowes and Zoffanys,
I know the croaking chorus of the Frogs of Aristophanes,
Then I can hum a fugue of which I`ve heard the music`s din afore,
And whistle all the airs to that infernal nonsense Pinafore;
[Dolichurus on last line]
Then I can write a washing-bill in Babylonic cuneiform
And tell you every detail of Caractacus` uniform.
In short, in matters vegetable, animal and mineral,
I am the very model of a modern major-general.
In fact, when I know what is meant by `mamelon` and `ravelin`,
When I can tell at sight a Mauser* rifle from a javelin,
When such affairs as sorties and surprises I`m more wary at,
And when I know precisely what is meant by `Commissariat` --
When I have learnt what progress has been made in modern gunnery,
When I know more of tactics than a novice in a nunnery,
In short, when I`ve a smattering of elemental strategy,
You`ll say a better major-general has never sat agee.
[Dolichurus on last line]
For my military knowledge, though I`m plucky and adventury,
Has only been brought down to the beginning of the century.
But still, in matters vegetable, animal and mineral,
I am the very model of a modern major-general.
*`Chassepot` may be substituted for `Mauser`.
ADDITIONAL VERSES (These three stanzas are often included as encores
in modern productions.)
I`ve knowledge in all areas artistic and didactical,
From the utilitarian to totally impractical;
I know the dates of great events both wonderful and sinister,
I even know how short a time John Turner was prime minister.
I know the laws of motion, theoretic and mechanical,
In many ways I am Encyclopaedia-Britannical,
With knowledge as gratuitous as . . . how an ancient lute is played,
I`m always in demand whenever Trivial Pursuit is played!
[Dolichurus on last line]
The one thing I don`t understand in anything Shakespearean,
Except it`s played in theaters that I get very weary in.
But, still in matters vegetable, animal and mineral,
I am the very model of a modern major-general.
(Credits to JAMES E. F. LANDAU for the following additional verses.)
I have acquired prowess at communicating verbally,
I know how to personify and blow up with hyperbole,
I`ve mastered all devices entertaining and rhetorical,
From strict, anaphoristic speech to highly metaphorical;
I form ingenious pangrams, I`m a stickler for synecdoche,
I understand all accents, matters not how dialecticky,
I know our planet`s history, from ammonites and belemnites,
To hippies, beatniks, and such current-century-type thelemnites.
[Dolichurus on last line]
The only thing I just don`t get is dialects Ebonical,
Except they get debated in the San Francisco Chronicle,
But still in matters vegetable, animal and mineral.
I am the very model of a modern major-general! Send " A Modern Majorgeneral" Ringtone to your Cell