Oom-Pah-Pah (song)
Encyclopedia
"Oom-Pah-Pah" is a lively and somewhat risqué song from Lionel Bart
's musical Oliver!
, sung by Nancy and the crowd at the "Three Cripples" tavern. The word "oom-pah-pah" is seemingly used euphemistically to refer to both intoxication and fornication
; however, as the song points out, the word's meaning is only as dirty as the listener interprets it. Although not an original music hall
song, it recalls that genre well and, in terms of both its tempo and suggestiveness, shares characteristics with such late 19th century songs as "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay
".
In the show the song is not even integrated into the plot; it is merely "plunked into" the beginning of Act II of the musical, after which the actual storyline resumes. In the film Oliver!
(1968), it is moved to very late in the film and given a dramatic purpose; Nancy begins the song and encourages the crowd to sing and dance it with her to distract Sikes and Fagin from her attempt to help Oliver.
Lionel Bart
Lionel Bart was a writer and composer of British pop music and musicals, best known for creating the book, music and lyrics for Oliver!-Early life:...
's musical Oliver!
Oliver!
Oliver! is a British musical, with script, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The musical is based upon the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens....
, sung by Nancy and the crowd at the "Three Cripples" tavern. The word "oom-pah-pah" is seemingly used euphemistically to refer to both intoxication and fornication
Fornication
Fornication typically refers to consensual sexual intercourse between two people not married to each other. For many people, the term carries a moral or religious association, but the significance of sexual acts to which the term is applied varies between religions, societies and cultures. The...
; however, as the song points out, the word's meaning is only as dirty as the listener interprets it. Although not an original music hall
Music hall
Music Hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
song, it recalls that genre well and, in terms of both its tempo and suggestiveness, shares characteristics with such late 19th century songs as "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay
Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay
"Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay" is a vaudeville and music hall song, copyrighted by Henry J. Sayers, and introduced in Boston, Massachusetts in Tuxedo in 1891. The song was best known in the version sung by Lottie Collins in London music halls in 1892....
".
In the show the song is not even integrated into the plot; it is merely "plunked into" the beginning of Act II of the musical, after which the actual storyline resumes. In the film Oliver!
Oliver! (film)
Oliver! is a 1968 British musical film directed by Carol Reed. The film is based on the stage musical Oliver!, with book, music and lyrics written by Lionel Bart. The screenplay was written by Vernon Harris....
(1968), it is moved to very late in the film and given a dramatic purpose; Nancy begins the song and encourages the crowd to sing and dance it with her to distract Sikes and Fagin from her attempt to help Oliver.