The Yip! Song
Written by: Robyn Hitchcock
Version 1 (1992 - live version)
Notes: Recorded July 31 in Cambridge.
Version 2 (1992 - studio recording)
Notes: Standard studio version.
Version 3 (1996 - live version)
Notes: Recorded July 31 in Cambridge.
Version 2 (1992 - studio recording)
Notes: Standard studio version.
Version 3 (1996 - live version)
- Storefront Hitchcock issues 1, 2, 3, promo
Development of the lyrics, February 1992
It is well documented that Hitchcock wrote this song around the time of his father's death, and that the lyric is specifically about this. In a fantastic piece of research, the guys behind the website Robyn Hitchcock is God, OK? have studied ten different tapes of Hitchcock performing the song at various gigs in February, 1992, noting down changes in the lyrics with each performance. It seems Robyn was still writing the song at this point, and exploring a range of lines, which were swapped in and out until he settled on something resembling the final text.
We don't want to reproduce their work here - visit their website to see the full version. But what we have done, is select alternative lyrics for each line in the song, so as to construct a hybrid version assembled from the scraps. Some of these lines are similar or identical to the familiar studio version - others are entirely different. The point to note is that where, for example, we have a line 11 below, that will have been presented as line 11 in at least one of the live versions. We haven't moved things around for convenience.
We don't want to reproduce their work here - visit their website to see the full version. But what we have done, is select alternative lyrics for each line in the song, so as to construct a hybrid version assembled from the scraps. Some of these lines are similar or identical to the familiar studio version - others are entirely different. The point to note is that where, for example, we have a line 11 below, that will have been presented as line 11 in at least one of the live versions. We haven't moved things around for convenience.
This old man a-came on in
He was wheeled in upon a trolley Vera Lynn, Vera Lynn Draw a window on his chin, now Vera Lynn n-nin nin nin nin nin nin nin Vera Lynn nin nin nin nin nin nin nin This old man, he lay down He was first to face the volley Vera Lynn, Vera Lynn Cleanse me with your healing grin Plant your freesias next to him, now Vera Lynn nin nin nin nin nin nin nin nin Vera Lynn n-nin nin nin nin nin nin nin This old man, he persevered In his mind he lay with Molly Vera Lynn, Vera Lynn Why do all our ends begin? What the hell did this to him, now? Vera Lynn n-nin nin nin nin nin nin nin Vera Lynn nin nin nin nin nin nin nin nin Coma high, coma low Blood is precious, yes or no? I believe in surgery, and that's a fact I believe in makin' it easy I believe in surgery, but I never act I believe in makin' it easy. Easy (Easy) Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip This old man he was gone He was gone, and I was sorry Vera Lynn, Vera Lynn Forces' Sweetheart, I'm your twin Dig a hole and put me in, now Vera Lynn n-nin nin nin nin nin nin nin Vera Lynn nin nin nin nin nin nin nin nin Extra verse originally included, but subsequently dropped: This old man, he was mulch He was roses, ash and holly Vera Lynn, Vera Lynn She played punk rock with her fin Who collects our dying skin, now? Vera Lynn nin nin n-nin nin nin nin nin Vera Lynn nin n-nin nin nin nin nin Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip |