I’m not sure whether this one ever saw the light of day in the show – Michael Eriera did used to use a lot of mine, even if they weren’t overtly funny.
But on re-reading this lyric 25 years later I am quite taken by some of the rhymes and in particular by the strength of sentiment I wanted to get across and, I think, managed to get across within a very sparse word pattern.
YUGO YUGO
(To the Tune of “Iko Iko”)
VERSE 1
My Grand Duke told your Grand Duke, the Balkan scene is dire;
My Grand Duke said to your Grand Duke, we’ll let them wallow in the mire.
CHORUS 1
Talking ’bout Yugo {Yugo} Yugo {Yugo}
Yugoslav-ee-i-ay; {Oh, oh}
Cannot interfere with Balkan ways, never mind the folks they slay.
VERSE 2
Look at those troops with blue berets, Boutros Boutros Ghali;
I bet you five dollars they do nothing today, UN troops will keep away.
CHORUS 2
Talking ’bout Boutros {Boutros} Boutros {Boutros}
Boutros Boutros Ghali; {Oh, oh}
Fails to save the Bosnian Muslims, fails to save the Somalis.
VERSE 3
My envoy told your envoy, Radovan’s a liar;
My envoy told your envoy, he’s goanna set Tuzla on fire.
CHORUS 3
Talking ’bout Cyrus {Cyrus} Cyrus {Cyrus}
Cyrus Vance and Owen; {Oh, oh}
When will the UN do anything, when will the UN go in?
VERSE 4
Look at those Serbs all dressed in green, Boutros Boutros Ghali;
They’re not just men they are killing machines, goanna rape and loot and slay.
CHORUS 4
I suggest you go {you go} you go {you go}
You go to Gorazde, {Oh, oh}
I shall keep a safe distance away, I shall stay at home and pray,
Yes, lets just stay at home and pray, lets just stay at home and pray;
{Boutros!!}
Below is a little vid with The Dixie Cups singing Iko Iko and the lyrics on the screen: