Ballad of The Sneak
From Homestar Runner Wiki
File:balladofthesneak.png
A little song and dance
The Ballad of The Sneak
Performed by Da Vinci's Notebook.
The 1936 equivalent of The Cheat Theme Song, sung by The Barbershop Trio.
Cast (in order of appearance): The Barbershop Trio, The Sneak, The Guy at the Depot, The Strong Bad, The Homestar Runner, Fat Dudley, Sickly Sam, 1936 Marzipan, Strong Man, The Football Player, Mr. Shmallow(sort of), The Kaiser.
Page Title: The Ballad of The Sneak
Contents |
Lyrics
I know a lively fellow,
who is really quite unique.
He's small and smart and yellow,
with a rodent-like physique.
He doesn't play the cello,
and he never deigns to speak.
He's The Strong Bad's Leporello,
and they just call him The Sneak!
If you've got a caper
then you know who to call.
It's the Sneak!
It's The Sneak!
Who's the Dapper Swindler
out of Tammany Hall?
Mo-mo-lo-de-oh-do
It's The Sneak!
That charming little whatzit
who's The Strong Man's greatest pal?
It's The Sneak!
It's The Sneak!
Who did the Hully-Gully
on the Panama Canal?
Doo-wacka-doo-wacka-doo
It's The Sneak!
{instrumental}
Who's that jaunty jackanapes
with moxie and pizazz?
It's The Sneak! (Yes, sir!)
It's The Sneak!
Who's been drinking bootleg hooch
and listening to the jazz?
Mo-mo-lo-de-oh-do
It's The Sneak!
Who captures all the flapper girls' affections?
Who made off with my Fluffy Puff confections?
He's dastardly!
He loves catastrophe!
His schemes are masterly!
Takes tea at half past three!
That sneaky sneak is sneakin' all over town!
Who dropped The Homestar Runner
from his flying machine? (Humdinger!)
Is it The Sneak? (28 skidoo!)
It's The Sneak!
Who put a bengal tiger
in The Kaiser's latrine? (Ach du lieber!)
It's The Sneak! (What's the rumpus?)
You know it's The Sneak! (Take it home!)
The Sneakity Sneak all day long!
{THE HOMESTAR RUNNER: What?}
Fun Facts
- The Sneak being shilouetted and going across hills is probably a reference to the 2nd or 3rd intro.
- "Leporello" is a reference to the Mozart opera Don Giovanni. In it, Leporello is a side-kick to the Spanish legend.
- "Tammany Hall" was a political society in New York City (19th/early 20th century), known for its corruption and power. William Tweed was a strong figure in Tammany. (see below)
- A political cartoon appears briefly which features The Sneak getting booted out of a door by a foot that says "PROHIBITION?" The Sneak has dropped a paper that says "HOOT-SMALLEY TARIFF" and the caption reads "Boss Tweed gives The Sneak what-for!"
- The "HOOT-SMALLEY TARIFF" is a play off of the "HAWLEY-SMOOT TARIFF" that was enacted during the depression, largely considered to be one of the most inept pieces of legislation ever passed by congress.
- The Hully Gully was a hit in the 1960's, but wasn't around in 1936.
- Seeing as the Sneak is the 1936 parallel of The Cheat, the scene of the Sneak's head being blown back and turned black by the phonograph is probably a reference to one of the several occasions on which the Cheat's head has exploded, like The House That Gave Sucky Treats.
- Ach du lieber "Oh you dear/darling", a reference to the Viennese folk song "Ach du lieber Augustin."
- A jackanapes is a whippersnapper. An upstart. A rascal.
- Bootleg Hooch is alcohol.
- Just a little history lesson for everyone who doesn't know about Prohibition:
- Prohibition was Constitutional amendment passed in 1919 that outlawed the sale, manufacture, and transportion of alcoholic beverages. It was eventually repealed in 1933. It's considered to be the most unsuccessful law ever.
- "The Ballad of the Sneak" also appears on the album "Shame and Cookie Dough" by Paul and Storm, two former members of Da Vinci's Notebook. The CD includes the original H*R.com version and one with commentary.
- "28 skidoo" is a play on "23 skidoo," a bit of slang popular during the Roaring Twenties. It generally meant to leave quickly, sometimes specifically meaning to "get out while the getting's good" (very appropriate for the Sneak). Webster's Online Dictionary offers a number of possible origins for the phrase.
- This is effectively the 1936 version of The Cheat Theme Song.
