“I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” by Gilbert and Sullivan
An iconic patter song written for the 1879 comic opera The Pirates of Penzance, “Major-General’s Song” is one of the most famous (and parodied) pieces by the theatrical partnership of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.
Sung by the character Major-General Stanley near the end of Act 1, the lyrics fancifully boast about his knowledge in subjects like art, mathematics, and history, while admitting he has scarce military acumen.
The song is notably difficult to perform due to the fast tempo and tongue twisting nature of the lyrics. In rapid succession, singers must string several multi-syllabic words together, with long stretches of no punctuation.
Typically sold for $15.99, the sheet music for “Major-General’s Song” is FREE during March 2024. This arrangement is for piano and vocals. Claim your copy today!
Fun facts about “Major-General’s Song” by Gilbert and Sullivan:
- Biographer Michael Ainger claims the inspiration for the song came from Gilbert’s uncle-in-law, General Henry Turner, who Gilbert disliked.
- The song has been parodied numerous times in popular culture, from film and television to video games and books. “The Elements” by Tom Lehrer is based on “Major-General’s Song” but the lyrics recite the names of chemical elements.
- In the 1983 film adaptation of The Pirates of Penzance, the song incorporates contemporary references, where the Major-General sings, “Man, I’m older than The Beatles, but I’m younger than The Rolling Stones.”
This song was transcribed by Tunescribers team member Danisa A.
