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As readers may know from my bio page, I
went to Princeton University. By the most fortunate stroke of luck
I ended up living at Princeton Inn College (aka "PIC", now Forbes
College), possibly the most bohemian place you could be on the campus.
A large former luxury hotel, with its own history and traditions and
a population that more or less self-selected for the avante-garde, it
was my home for four years.
In the couple years before I got there, approximately 1975 to 1980,
a number of residents (or "innmates," as they called us) --
Michael Schiano,
Mark Lerer,
Paul Olowacz,
and others -- wrote a collection of song parodies mostly specific to
the Princeton University of that time. (If the citations I've
found on various webpages I've discovered are any indication, they
are doing quite well for themselves now and probably don't want
to be associated with the songbook now. <grin>) (Update, 13 May 2002. I have just discovered that Paul Olowacz passed away in 2000. I never met the man, unfortunately, but the stories I've heard about him describe someone whose company I certainly would have enjoyed. Here's to you, Paul.) (Further Update: In December 2003, Michael Schiano and Mark Lerer contacted me, putting the lie to my assertion above that they wouldn't want to be associated with the songbook any longer. They have, in fact, generously offered corrections, expansions and anecdotes, with which I will be supplementing this page.)
Some of the songs are mild social and/or political commentary. Others
are affectionate lampoons of various figures found on or around the
campus at that time. (Or vicious ones, depending on the specific
figure.) One entire block of songs was an inspired parody version of
the complete flip side of the Beatles album Abbey Road, all
about the Princeton Inn College Experience. Most of us who sang the
songs between 1980 and 1984 referred to it as "Alexander Road", the
street on which the Inn was found. Since 1982 or so I've jealously guarded a copy of this songbook, and even wrote a song for it myself. In Spring 2002 it came to my attention that nowhere on the Web was there a copy of the songbook; and I don't know if copies even survive in the hands of any current Forbes residents. I decided it was time to rectify this situation. Thus, this webpage. WARNING! Some of the songs herein -- particularly the parody of Billy Joel's "She's Always A Woman" -- are not politically correct. If you are likely to be offended by this kind of material, kindly go to a different page. Some Explanatory Glosses...For those who didn't reside in Princeton Inn College between 1975 and 1984, a few footnotes are in order. Firstly, according to the annotation on my copy of the Songbook, the following lyrics were written and copyright by 1975-1980 by Michael Schiano, Mark Lerer, Paul Olowacz, and others. (Except for the one song that I wrote, which is copyright 1985 by me, Robert M. Schroeck.) ThingsA "gut" is a ridiculously easy class. "Orgo" is Organic Chemistry, the course reputed to be Princeton's most difficult. Every senior must write a thesis in order to graduate, and it's usually a big sucker (mine was 250 pages). The USG is the Undergraduate Student Government, which published a review of courses and their difficulty every semester. People"Bilbo" refers to William "Bill" Bowen, then-President of the University. J. Anderson Brown was the Dean of Student Affairs. R. Manning Brown (no relation, as far as I know, to J. Anderson) was the legendarily-reactionary head of the board of trustees for the University. Anthony Cummings lived at PIC and worked as an Assistant Master of the college for many years as he earned his Ph.D. at the Grad College. He later became Dean of Admissions for several years. He's now at Tulane. Lou Ann Garvey was the Master of the college during the late 1970s and early 1980. Friendly, motherly, and possessed of an inimitable personal style and fashion sense, she was probably the only thing that stood between the Inn and the rampant bureaucracy up-campus. When she left the Inn, a lot of the light and life went out of the place. Joan Girgus was another dean. "Malichi", I am told, was the nickname of science fiction/fantasy author Lawrence Watt-Evans both times he went to Princeton and lived at PIC (he flunked out both times, too). Dave Schachter is a friend I haven't seen in years, from the class of, um, '82, I think. EECS major and notably (though very mildly) eccentric, he was also the first openly gay person I ever knew. From him I received both this songbook (he knew the creators, as evidenced by the "Schachterian" modification to a song below) and occasional romantic advice as I ineptly pursued a young lady of our mutual acquaintance. Hey, Dave, are you still singing John Adams? BuildingsThe names at the end of "This Paper's Flunking" are all buildings on the campus; the first line is of dorms, the second eating clubs (see below), and the third lecture/class halls. Fine Hall, aka Fine Tower, is the home of the math department and the tallest building on the campus. Firestone is the main library on campus; its basements are lettered, with "C" floor being the deepest underground. The basements are also the sites of seniors' study carrels, where many hide away to write their senior theses. Forbes College. In the fall of 1984, PIC was renamed; because he gave an obscene amount of money, the late Malcolm Forbes convinced the administration to rename PIC after his son, Malcolm S. "Steve" Forbes '62. (Yes, the geek who ran for president 16 years later.) Using that cash, they hired alumnus and well-known "innovative" architect Robert Venturi to redesign the Inn's public areas, effectively obliterating the comfortable environment that we had come to love in order to replace it with a very "artsy" but less-than-functional showpiece. I, along with a number of other former and current PIC residents, attended the rededication wearing black armbands. Nassau Hall is the oldest building on campus, a former capital of the USA, and the administrative seat of the University. New South is an administrative office building in the southwest corner of the campus, about 200 yards away from the Inn. It is distinguished (for the purposes of the songbook) by a spacious dining facility on its top floor, which was regularly used by the campus gay and lesbian organization for its parties and dances. Prospect Street is the site of the Eating clubs, Princeton's subsitute for fraternities until very recently. They originated about a century ago as bands of upperclassmen who went out together to local restaurants. Eventually, these grew more organized (and financially solvent) and built their own private restaurants/social clubs. At the time that these songs were written, about 2/3 of the clubs accepted members on a random draw method. The remainder were "selective", meaning they chose their new members in a process (similar to a frat rush) called "bicker". The remaining selective clubs tended to be bastions of particularly snobbish types, by their structure. You can find a brief history of Princeton's eating clubs here. Okay, now that that's taken care of... The Princeton Inn SongbookThese lyrics were (mostly) written at the Princeton Inn College between 1975 and 1980, by Michael Schiano, Mark Lerer, Paul Olowacz, and others of the PIC Old Guard. Transcribed by those who remember. -- Original inscription on the songbook
(to "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles)
This paper's done (doodle doo doo)
This paper's done and I say, "It's all right."*
Smith Corona, it's been a long dull dreary paper.
Smith Corona, it seems like years since we began.
This paper's done. This paper's done.
And I say, "It's all right."
Smith Corona, I've been awake for thirty hours.
Smith Corona, it seems like days since Chapter One.
This paper's done. This paper's done.
And I say, "It's all right."
Done, done, done, finally done.
Done, done, done, finally done.
Done, done, done, finally done.
Done, done, done, finally done.
My preceptor is just a petty young grad student.
My preceptor will probably give me a "C".
This paper's done. This paper's done.
And I say, "It's all right."
*"It's all right" should be half-spoken in an "I guess it's okay"
sort of tone.
(to "Because..." by the Beatles)
Because the food is vile, it brings me down.
Because the food is vile uuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhh........
Because the pie is blue, it makes me cry.
Because the pie is blue uuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhh........
Ask the whole kitchen crew.
Food is older than you.
The cost is so damn high, it blows my mind.
The cost is so damn high uuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhh........
(to "You Never Give Me Your Money" by the Beatles)
My parents give you their money.
Why can't you give me an education?
Or in the middle of my degradation, I'll break down.
My friends are making me wonder
Is Princeton worth all this aggravation?
And in the middle of my desperation, I break down.
Out of college, money spent.
See no future, pay no rent.
All the money's gone; nowhere to go.
Every grad school got the sack.
Four years here I broke my back.
All the money's gone; nothing to show.
But once I've graduated,
Where will I go?
But once I've graduated,
Where will I go? Where will I go? Aaaaaahhhhh.....
One sweet dean
Pick up a pen and wipe my record clean.
All I need's a three point two
Then they'll forget the year I threw away.
One sweet dean came through today
Came through today...
AB or a BSE,
Either one sounds fine to me.
AB or a BSE,
Either one sounds fine to me.
<repeat and fade out>
(to "Here Comes The Sun King" by the Beatles)
This paper's flun-king.
This paper's flun-king.
My preceptor's laughing.
My professor's happy.
This paper's flun-king.
Cuyler, Walker, Holder, Patton, Jolene, Witherspoon and Princeton Inn
Charter, Cottage, Cloister, Ivy, Terrace, Tiger, Tower, Cap and Gown
Woolworth, Jadwin, Palmer, Guyot, Eno, Prospect Garden and McCosh.
(to "Mean Mister Mustard" by the Beatles)
R. Manning Brown has lotsa bucks.
He really sucks like an old trustee.
Juggles University dollars
Even though the People's Front hollers.
Money isn't just for the scholars.
Such a mean old man.
His buddy Bilbo will go far,
Owns NCR, he's an ass-kisser.
Hides away in old Nassau Hall;
Manages to waver and stall.
Doesn't really do much at all.
Such a clever young man.
(to "Polythene Pam" by the Beatles)
Look at J. Anderson Brown.
He's so devoted but he acts like a clown.
He's the kind of a fool
They put in charge of a school
And yes, he's running it right into the ground.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Get dose of him at Student Affairs.
He's in the office at the top of the stairs.
He'll keep you waiting for years
And then he'll drive you to tears
'Cause he's as boring as the clothing he wears.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
(to "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window" by the Beatles)
Don't let me flunk out now.
She came in through a fancy prep school,
Encouraged by her SATs.
Applied to Princeton Early Action
And for sure, she got in with ease.
Didn't anybody tell her? Didn't anybody see?
She could have some serious problems
At this university.
They said she'd always been precocious.
She never got below an A.
But then the coursework got ferocious
And her brain finally snapped one day.
And so I quit the math department
And took myself a bunch of guts
And though it might not look impressive,
God, it beats being driven nuts.
Didn't anybody tell her? Didn't anybody see?
You could have some serious problems
At this university.
Oh yeah...
(to "Golden Slumbers" by the Beatles)
Once there was a way to do my homework.
Once there was a way to be alone.
I've got a roommate; wish he'd die
So I could get some peace and quiet.
Housing office, hear my plea;
Someone else should live with me.
I've got a roommate; wish he'd die
So I could get some peace and quiet.
Boy, you're gonna have a long wait,
Have a long wait 'til springtime.
Boy, you're gonna have a long wait,
Have a long wait 'til springtime.
(to "The End" by the Beatles)
I never go to a party.
I never get any recreation
And in the middle of my isolation, I break down.
Boy, you're gonna have a long wait,
Have a long wait 'til springtime.
Boy, you're gonna have a long wait,
Have a long wait 'til springtime.
Oh, no... oh, my...
Don't you see I'm kissing my youth good-bye?
Hate this. Hate this. Hate this....
And in the end, the grade you make
Is equal to the shit you take.
(to "Her Majesty" by the Beatles)
Dean Girgus is a pretty nice girl
But she has an awful lot to say.
Dean Girgus is a pretty nice girl
But she changes from day to day.
I want to tell her
That I want a year off
But I gotta get her belly full of wine.
Dean Girgus is a pretty nice girl;
Someday I'll push her off of Fine.
Oh, yeah, someday I'll push her off of Fine.
<bang>
- - - -
(to "YMCA", by the Village People)
FRESHMAN, you have entered the race.
I said FRESHMAN, wipe that smile off your face.
I said FRESHMAN, 'cos you're in a new place,
There's no need - to - think- it's - ea - sy,
FRESHMAN, if you think it's a treat,
I must WARN YOU, there's a man you will meet.
He's a LOSER, and I'm sure he will find
Many ways - to - mess - up - your - mind.
You're gonna learn to ask, "Where's my R.A.?
I've got a razor blade. Where's my R.A.?"
If the school gets you down or your roommate is gay,
He will tell you that it's okay. "Where's my R.A.?
I need some help in French. Where's my R.A.?"
When your life is a mess, he will tell you it's cool,
He is what you might call a tool.
FRESHMAN, just to add to your fears,
I say, FRESHMAN, you must choose your careers.
For re-MEMBER, you have only four years
And it's hard - e - nough - with - out - some
DIPSHIT who is pleased with himself
And thinks FRESHMEN are like toys on the shelf
He can PLAY WITH while he gives them advice
'Cos he's got - it - set - up - so - nice.
You're gonna shout it out. "Where's my R.A.?
I've got some sleeping pills. Where's my R.A.?"
He'll make out with your girl, he will steal her away,
And he'll tell you that it's okay. "Where's my R.A.?
I flunked my physics quiz. Where's my R.A.?"
If you're sinking in work, he will leave you to drown,
'Cos he's working for Andy Brown.
FRESHMAN, I was once in your plight.
I said, I KNOW that this jerk isn't right.
I think that I'LL GO talk to Dean Andy Brown;
I'm sure that - man - can't - be - no - clown.
THAT'S WHEN Andy answered my call.
He said, "FRESHMAN, take a walk up your hall.
There's a MAN THERE and he's called your R.A.
He can show - you - what's - the - right - way. Hahahaha..."
"I gotta know one thing. Where's my R.A.?
I'm soaked in kerosene. Where's my R.A.?
I gotta take-home exam that was due yesterday
And he tells me that it's okay. Where's my R.A.?
I'm gonna hang myself. Where's my R.A.?"
When you're on your last leg, when your face is in tears,
That's when he disappears.
FRESHMAN, there's an old friend of mine
Who said, "PRINCETON'S giving me a hard time.
I think I'LL GO take a walk up to Fine
Maybe that's - the - way - I'll - end - it."
THAT's WHEN I went up to my man
And said, "FRESHMAN, we all do what we can."
I said, "YOU SHOULD go to see your R.A.
I'm sure he - can - help - you - today."
He left a note that said, "Where's my R.A.?
You'll find me under Fine. Where's my R.A.?"
When it really looks bad, he'll invite you to tea.
He will show you how nice a preppie senior can be.
"Where's my R.A.? I'm drinking turpentine. Where's my R.A.?"
He took this job 'cos he gets a free room.
Look out, look out, he will lead you to gloom.
"Where's my R.A.? I'm ten stories high. Where's my R.A.?"
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This web page is Copyright © 2002- 2004 by Robert M. Schroeck. The Lyrics on this page are Copyright © 1975- 1985 by their respective authors. |
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