Gilbert was a lawyer first

Andrew M. Greene

(To the tune of "Oh, I'm the celestial drudge" -- um, er, no.
To the tune of "When I, good friends, was called to the bar"...)

When I, good friends, was hauled to the bar,
'Bout a copyright violation,
Yes, I was, as many young Savoyards are,
Unclear on the situation.

I thought, since over fifty years had passed,
Since nineteen hundred and eleven,
That all the copyrights had lapsed
With Gilbert up in Heaven

(Chorus: He thought the copyrights had lapsed, &c.)

In theaters and halls I danced and sang,
My confidence growing firmer,
Until I received a call from the gang
Representing old G. Schirmer.

"Their royalties are what they sent us for.
(Though the law is rather murky,
It seems that the piano-vocal score
Is considered derivative work, see!)"

(Chorus: It seems that the &c.)

Thus chastened, I found the antidote
To the threat of litigation,
I'd restrict myself to what Gilbert wrote,
And to Sullivan's orchestration.

Since they've both been dead for over fifty years,
And the operas are almost all one hundred,
I'll set aside all legal fears:
And I'd do like the shows they'd done did.

(Chorus: He'll set &c.)

At length I became convinced I was safe
From the traps in the Berne Convention,
But I added a number after "Why poor, Ralph?"
Based on Sullivan's diary's mention.

They interrupted our opening night,
And they served us with a subpoena.

(Chorus, spoken: No!)
(Soloist, spoken: Yes!)

"`Unpublshed works' retain copyright,
And dina d'malkhuta dina/."

(Chorus: "Unpublished works" etc.)

So, should I claim copyright? Sure... copyright (c) 1994 Andrew M Greene; republication in electronic form or in any publication with a circulation of under one thousand is permitted provided this copyright notice remains attached.

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