Run Rabbit Run
Encyclopedia
Run Rabbit Run is a song written by Noel Gay
and Ralph Butler
. The music was by Noel Gay and the song was originally sung by Flanagan and Allen
.
This song was written for Noel Gay's show 'The Little Dog Laughed' which opened on 11 October 1939, at a time when most of the major London theatres were closed. It was a popular song during World War II
, especially after Flanagan and Allen changed the lyrics to poke fun at the Germans (eg. Run Adolf
, Run Adolf, Run, Run, Run........)
The lyrics were used as a defiant dig at the allegedly ineffectual Luftwaffe
. On 13 November 1939, soon after the outbreak of the Second World War and also soon after the song was premiered, Germany launched its first air raid on Britain, on flying boats that were sheltering in Sullom Voe
, Shetland. Two rabbits were supposedly killed by a bomb drop, although it is suggested that they were in fact procured from a butchers' shop and used for publicity purposes.
Until recently, the song was a popular nursery rhyme
still sung by children in many parts of Britain, although its popularity has declined substantially over the past few decades.
The song later influenced one by the popular band Pink Floyd
. The first track on the album The Dark Side of the Moon
, "Speak to Me/Breathe", included the lyrics "Run, rabbit. Run". The same lyrics are also included in "Bankrobber
" by The Clash
.
Noel Gay
Noel Gay was born Reginald Moxon Armitage. He also used the name Stanley Hill professionally. He was a successful British composer of popular music of the 1930s and 1940s whose output comprised 45 songs as well as the music for 28 films and 26 London shows...
and Ralph Butler
Ralph Butler
Ralph T. Butler was a British songwriter, responsible for the lyrics of many popular songs of the 1930s and later, mostly with comic or novelty elements.He was active as a songwriter from the late 1920s until the mid-1950s...
. The music was by Noel Gay and the song was originally sung by Flanagan and Allen
Flanagan and Allen
Flanagan and Allen were a British singing and comedy double act popular during World War II. Its members were Bud Flanagan and Chesney Allen...
.
This song was written for Noel Gay's show 'The Little Dog Laughed' which opened on 11 October 1939, at a time when most of the major London theatres were closed. It was a popular song during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, especially after Flanagan and Allen changed the lyrics to poke fun at the Germans (eg. Run Adolf
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
, Run Adolf, Run, Run, Run........)
- On the farm, every Friday
- On the farm, it's rabbit pie day.
- So, every Friday that ever comes along,
- I get up early and sing this little song
- Run rabbit - run rabbit - Run! Run! Run!
- Run rabbit - run rabbit - Run! Run! Run!
- Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
- Goes the farmer's gun.
- Run, rabbit, run, rabbit, run.
- Run rabbit - run rabbit - Run! Run! Run!
- Don't give the farmer his fun! Fun! Fun!
- He'll get by
- Without his rabbit pie
- So run rabbit - run rabbit - Run! Run! Run!
The lyrics were used as a defiant dig at the allegedly ineffectual Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
. On 13 November 1939, soon after the outbreak of the Second World War and also soon after the song was premiered, Germany launched its first air raid on Britain, on flying boats that were sheltering in Sullom Voe
Sullom Voe
Sullom Voe is an inlet between North Mainland and Northmavine on Shetland in Scotland. It is a location of the Sullom Voe oil terminal. The word Voe is from the Old Norse vagr and denotes a small bay or narrow creek...
, Shetland. Two rabbits were supposedly killed by a bomb drop, although it is suggested that they were in fact procured from a butchers' shop and used for publicity purposes.
Until recently, the song was a popular nursery rhyme
Nursery rhyme
The term nursery rhyme is used for "traditional" poems for young children in Britain and many other countries, but usage only dates from the 19th century and in North America the older ‘Mother Goose Rhymes’ is still often used.-Lullabies:...
still sung by children in many parts of Britain, although its popularity has declined substantially over the past few decades.
The song later influenced one by the popular band Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
. The first track on the album The Dark Side of the Moon
The Dark Side of the Moon
The Dark Side of the Moon is the eighth studio album by English progressive rock band Pink Floyd, released in March 1973. It built on ideas explored in the band's earlier recordings and live shows, but lacks the extended instrumental excursions that characterised their work following the departure...
, "Speak to Me/Breathe", included the lyrics "Run, rabbit. Run". The same lyrics are also included in "Bankrobber
Bankrobber
"Bankrobber" is a song, and single by The Clash. The song was not released on any of their studio albums, instead appearing on their compilation Black Market Clash...
" by The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
.