Songs from WW2

“Run, Rabbit, Run” is a song written by Noel Gay and Ralph Butler. The music was by Noel Gay and the song was originally sung by Flanagan and Allen accompanied by the Harry Bidgood orchestra.

Background

This song was written for Noel Gay’s show The Little Dog Laughed, which opened on 11 October 1939, at a time when most of the major London theatres were closed. It was a popular song during World War II, especially after Flanagan and Allen changed the lyrics to poke fun at the Germans (e.g. Run, Adolf, run, Adolf, run, run, Run……..)

The lyrics were used as a defiant dig at the allegedly ineffectual Luftwaffe. On 13  November 1939, soon after the outbreak of the Second World War and also soon after the song was premiered, Germany launched its first air raid on Britain, on flying boats that were sheltering in Sullom Voe, Shetland. Two rabbits were supposedly killed by a bomb drop, although it is suggested that they were in fact procured from a butchers’ shop and used for publicity purposes.

In popular culture[edit]

• In a 1992 advert for Weetabix, the song is sung by Elmer Fudd as he chases Bugs Bunny.
• In the 2003 movie, House of 1000 Corpses, one of the villains sings this song.
• In 2004, the song was used in an advertisement for Tourism Victoria (Australia), which depicted the Yarra Valley.
• The 2014 television series opener of “Outlander” used the song.^{[citation needed]}
• The book series and 2016 film Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children uses this song on a number of occasions.
• The 2017 horror film Get Out, written and directed by Jordan Peele, uses the original version in the opening scene and once again near the end.

On the farm, every Friday On the farm, it’s rabbit pie day. So, every Friday that ever comes along, I get up early and sing this little song Run rabbit – run rabbit – Run! Run! Run! Run rabbit – run rabbit – Run! Run! Run! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Goes the farmer’s gun. Run, rabbit, run, rabbit, run. Run rabbit – run rabbit – Run! Run! Run! Don’t give the farmer his fun! Fun! Fun! He’ll get by Without his rabbit pie So run rabbit – run rabbit – Run! Run! Run!

Chattanooga Choo Choo

Think about the emotional impact of these lyrics, with a meandering melody. The gaps (intervals) in the melody are like question marks (?) – Will we meet again?

People on either side of the Wireless (radio), at home missing their Forces or In the actual fighting fields: would be heartened and supported by Miss Lynn’s voice and lyrics.