The Election and Gilbert and Sullivan

With the presidential election coming up again (it seems like we just had one), the political heat has been turned up a notch. As the lone liberal at the conservative McDonald family table every Sunday, I try to stay quiet. I figure we are all products of our upbringing and since my parents were dyed-in-wool FDR Democrats, the chances of me turning out conservative were pretty slim. I'm not outspoken, but I'm firm in my stance and I'm certainly not going to piss off a whole tableful of Romneyites over roast beef. Wouldn't be prudent...would it?

Anyway, I often think of a classic Gibert and Sullivan song from the comic opera Iolanthe (something else my parents owned was a complete set of G&S albums). Iolanthe's story concerns a band of immortal fairies who find themselves at odds with the House of Peers. The opera satirises many aspects of British government and law. Iolanthe was Gilbert and Sullivan's fourth hit in a row, and the first of the operas to premiere at the new Savoy theatre. It goes without saying that it was hugely popular and continues to be performed to this day.

Very little has changed since 1882 when the ditty "When All Night Long" was performed for the first time in London. Here's an excerpt of the lyrics:

Charles Manners and Alice Barnett in Iolanthe, 1882

When all night long a chap remains
On sentry-go, to chase monotony
He exercises of his brains,
That is, assuming that he's got any.
Though never nurtured in the lap
Of luxury, yet I admonish you,
I am an intellectual chap,
And think of things that would astonish you.
  
I often think it's comical--Fal, lal, la!
How Nature always does contrive--Fal, lal, la!
That every boy and every gal
That's born into the world alive
Is either a little Liberal
Or else a little Conservative!

--From Iolanthe by Gilbert and Sullivan, 1882





For your listening pleasure, here's a recording of the song made by the D'Oyly Carte company featuring Sydney Granville as Private Willis. Enjoy!