The Whiffenpoof Song
Ray Conniff · Other Songs - Ray Conniff
To the place where Louie dwells
To the dear old Temple bar we love so well
Sing the Whiffenpoofs assembled with their glasses raised on high
And the magic of their singing casts it's spell
Yes, the magic of their singing of the songs we love so well
"Shall I Wasting" and "Mavourneen" and the rest
We will serenade our Louie while life and voice shall last
Then we'll pass and be forgotten with the rest
We're poor little lambs who have lost our way
Baa, baa, baa
We're little black sheep who have gone astray
Baa, baa, baa
Gentleman songsters off on a spree
Doomed from here to eternity
Lord have mercy on such as we
Baa, baa, baa
The Whiffenpoof Song - Ray Conniff
Ray Conniff's rendition of The Whiffenpoof Song stands as a masterclass in arranging traditional American collegiate music for a sophisticated jazz audience. Originally a spirited anthem from Yale University, the piece was transformed by Conniff into a lush, orchestral composition that showcases his signature ability to blend classical precision with swing. His recording captures the intricate interplay between woodwinds and strings, elevating the source material into a timeless piece of big band repertoire. This work exemplifies Conniff's broader contribution to the genre, demonstrating how he could adapt folk and academic traditions into elegant, commercially viable recordings that defined the mid-20th-century jazz landscape.