I'm Henry The Ape, I Am
I was 19 when this song came out in 1965 by Herman's Hermits. Never liked the song, but a friend of mind had a son of four who loved it. He thought it was a song about a gorilla - and did a superb gorilla impression, too!
I have always liked gorillas, and did a fantastic gorilla impression. But one day when I was in my mid-20's I was jumping up and down doing my gorilla impression for some English dame... wasn't wearing any shoes... and almost broke both heel bones doing it.
Always wanted to rent a gorilla costume, and just before I left England, I had the chance when the company I worked for had a sports and fun day at some fancy rugby club and grounds. There were 'looks' when I announced that I had changed my mind about attending the event, but only if I could come as a gorilla.
'What are you going to do?' was the only question asked. 'Gorilla things,' I replied. Nobody ever knew what the 'Mad Yank' might get up to next, but it WAS a fun day as well as a sports day, and it was agreed I could be a gorilla.
I knew exactly where I could rent the gorilla costume. This married couple had a joke shop in a side street of Reading, Berkshire, and a friend and I used to spend our whole lunch period looking at all the super stuff there. I got countless bags of those little plastic ants - always had lots in my pockets and would sprinkle them around here and there. Even managed to get an exterminator called in for ants at the company's customer service center! What fun a person can have if he really applies himself!
The couple who owned the joke shop also owned the costume shop right next door. They both listened attentively as I described what I wanted and they fixed me up with a great gorilla costume.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself during the event, and it was the second best thing I accomplished on the job. So many things happened that day that a proper story is warranted. My crowning achievement was my going away speech - given with a real pig's head. But that's another story. I'll tell you about that one soon.
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I'm Henry The Eighth, I Am
Herman's Hermits
(Murray/Weston)
- written in 1911
- popularized in England by Harry Champion
I'm Henry the eighth I am
Henry the eighth I am, I am
I got married to the widow next door
She's been married seven times before
And every one was an Henry (Henry)
She wouldn't have a Willy or a Sam (no Sam)
I'm her eighth old man, I'm Henry
Henry the eighth I am
Second verse same as the first
I'm Henry the eighth I am
Henry the eighth I am, I am
I got married to the widow next door
She's been married seven times before
And every one was an Henry (Henry)
She wouldn't have a Willy or a Sam (no Sam)
I'm her eighth old man, I'm Henry
Henry the eighth I am
------ lead guitar ------
I'm Henry the eighth I am
Henry the eighth I am, I am
I got married to the widow next door
She's been married seven times before
And every one was an Henry (Henry)
She wouldn't have a Willy or a Sam (no Sam)
I'm her eighth old man, I'm Henry
Henry the eighth I am
H-E-N-R-Y
Henry (Henry)
Henry (Henry)
Henry the eighth I am, I am
Henry the eighth I am
Yeah!
Graphics Acknowledgement:
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