Politicians

Several people have made comments on the political environment of today and asked for my opinion. I replied modern politicians were predicted in this song by Bricusse and Newley in the 1961 British play “Stop the World,” sung by the politician Littlechap. It is his political speech at his rallies.

Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb
Tickety bubarb yak yak yak,
Mumbo jum red white and bluebarb,
Poor Britannia’s on her back.

Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb
Nothing newbarb cha cha cha.
Mumbo Jumbo Castro’s Cubarb.
I think someone’s gone too far!

Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb
Voulez-vousbarb avec moi?
Mumbo Jumbo entrez-nousbarb
Bridget Bardot ooh la la!

Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb
Has Red China got the bomb?
Velly soon now if it’s truebarb
We’ll be blown to kingdom come.

Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb
Give the Democrats more cash.
Helps the nation, stops inflation.
How’s your father? Wall Street crash.

Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb
Prostitubarb off the streets.
We will fight them on the beaches
But we’ll lose between the sheets.

Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb
Common Market can’t go wrong.
Washday Mondays? Send your undies
Chinese laundry in Hong Kong.

Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb
Give the Africans their rights.
Colored people are free toobarb
Though not quite as free as whites!

Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb
Up your flubarb, Liberty Hall.
And, dear friends, if I’m elected,
I’m all right, Jack–screw you all!

In the play Littlechap wins the election with an overwhelming majority of votes.

So much for my answer. Since this was written in 1961 I am not making any explicit reference to any of the political candidates of today. But, if the shoe fits…