Poetry Wednesday

By Judith

PBS was replaying a documentary about Groucho Marx the other night; included was a clip from the classic 1932 Marx Brothers movie Horse Feathers, featuring one of Groucho's most famous songs, "Whatever It Is, I'm Against It." While the lyric is clever in the same way that a Gilbert and Sullivan song is, you really have to hear it to appreciate it. The lyrics are by Bert Kalmar, music by Harry Ruby.

Whatever It Is, I'm Against It

I don't know what they have to say,
It makes no difference anyway --
Whatever it is, I'm against it!
No matter what it is or who commenced it,
I'm against it.

Your proposition may be good
But let's have one thing understood --
Whatever it is, I'm against it!
And even when you've changed it or condensed it,
I'm against it.

I'm opposed to it --
On general principles I'm opposed to it!

Chorus: He's opposed to it!
In fact, in word, in deed,
He's opposed to it!

For months before my son was born,
I used to yell from night till morn,
Whatever it is, I'm against it!
And I've kept yelling since I commenced it,
I'm against it!