"Gee, Sir Graham Brady" - Marsh Family adaptation of "Gee, Officer Krupke" from West Side Story
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Having watched our recent parodies age so quickly into irrelevance, we decided to throw down for one last take on the political crisis that is gripping the UK at the moment. And to sing not about people but about the process that is failing to give us stability at the heart of government.
So here is our half-term version of “Gee, Officer Krupke” - an absolute favourite of ours from Leonard Bernstein’s magnificent West Side Story (1957) with original lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Instead of singing about the trials of juvenile delinquents in New York, we are singing about the system of bringing down a Prime Minister and then appointing a new one according to the Conservative Party - which relies on a rather opaque process determined by the 1922 Committee of backbench MPs (chaired by Sir Graham Brady). MPs submit letters of no confidence in the leader, which then prompts a nomination process for new leaders (which we’re in the middle of now), followed by a ballot of a small number (less than 0.1%) of the population who are Party members and who often differ in their preferences from the Parliamentary factions.
Like West Side Story, in late Tory leadership shenanigans there have been elements of love, betrayal, back-stabbings, gang warfare, and criminal behaviour. But unfortunately in this real-world version we’ve tended to end up with scraping the barrel of talent and integrity rather than any sense of learning from mistakes and tragedies.
And in case you think this is a party-political bias, then here’s how the Conservative MP Charles Walker accurately characterised the situation this week: www.independen.... We will happily dish it out to the other side if they plumb similar depths in our eyes.
Having made as clear a plea as we could for a general election to allow the whole population to have a say, we’ll be leaving politics aside for a while.
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Thanks as ever to the people who support our musical antics through Patreon (where you can see extras like out-takes and podcasts): / marshfamilysongs Do join us there, or just leave a tip at our tip jar at: paypal.me/mars....
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LYRICS:
Dear kindly Graham Brady, you gotta understand
Mistrust about us MPs is getting out of hand
They see us all as flunkies
Or predators or drunks
Start the process: something must be done!
See, Sir Graham Brady, we're very upset
We never had the leader that we thought we should get
We ain’t all delinquents
Just misunderstood
Please can you find us someone good!
Someone good?!
Someone good, someone good for our livelihoods!
Like decide, which one of us is good!
[Assemble the MPs who are Tory!
Not the rest of the world?
Just a few of us will judge…]
Dear kindly Tory MPs
My upbringing was rough
I started from the gutter
That private school was tough
You didn't wanna have me
But somehow I am back
Healing fissures in the Party’s crack!
Conservative MPs, I really do care
And if I get your pledge, you get a Cabinet chair!
Liz Truss was atrocious, I’m better than her
They’re, like, absurdly self-absorbed
Self-absorbed!
Self-absorbed, self-absorbed!
They’re the most disturbed
Like they’re psychologically disturbed!
[Hear ye, Hear ye, in the opinion of this made-up process
These candidates will go forward to the Members’ vote online
Hey, it’s depraved on account of it’s contrived!]
Her Daddy was a commie,
His Mum was SDP,
I nearly joined the army,
I own a company.
I’ve got a three-word slogan,
I’m wearing Thatcher’s dress!
Cardboard cut outs - why we’re in a mess!
Yes! Sir Graham Brady, we shouldn't be here.
Just squabbling because they all have second careers
Society pays them, they get quite a fee
No real accountability!
Don’t you see?
Hefty fee, unattached to ability
Like they’re sociopath celebrities!
[In my opinion, this process does not seem fair at all!
Prime Ministerial selection is purely for Party Grandees
Hey, I won the ballot with ease!
So take him to the civil servants. Which way? That way!]
Dear kindly Civil Servants
You’d better do your job
I’ll need some wonder workers
To bully, blame and shop
We’ve started having sweepstakes
He’s hardly Edmund Burke
Tory Party! Stop sending us jerks!
Um, Sir Graham Brady, we’re writing again
This boy can’t do the job
We need another PM
It ain’t just a question of misunderstood
Deep down inside him he’s not good!
I'm no good!
We're no good, we're no good, we're no earthly good
Like the rest of us is no damn good
The trouble was with Cameron
The trouble was with May
The trouble was with Johnson
The trouble’s back again!
The last one’s barely going
The next one overthrown
MPs: we've got troubles of our own!
Gee, Sir Graham Brady, we're down on our knees
'Cause no one wants a country run by useless MPs
Gee Sir Graham Brady, what are we to do?
Let’s have an election - real soon!
How you all manage to write, learn and flawlessly perform these parodies in one take, and still keep the content current & relevant, is beyond me. Another stellar job.
And have so much fun with it. The Marsh family is a true blessing to the entertainment with purpose field.
You took the words out of my mouth! So current yet so polished.
completely agree
It’s a skill, a talent, they are born with. It’s not something you learn but natural talent.
A talent that, in this case, is encouraged and honed through constant use.
And dang do they have talent.😀😀😁😁
I was just lined up to ask exactly the same question 😉
That looks like one take .. but how many were there before it .. and how ON EARTH do you all write it and learn it so quickly ??
It’s JUST after the Truss video for gods sake 😮😳
I'm learning all about British politics from the Marsh family🤣
Well that's better than from the Daily Telegraph, Mail or Express. Mind you anything's better than them.
Right I'm now very invested in British politics because of their songs
I was just thinking that! Thanks, Marsh Family!!
me too and I'm a Brit!
So am I and I live in the UK haha.
A one-family satire machine.
Perfect lyrics, perfectly performed by every member . . . and not an MP in sight.
BRILLIANT! I have tears in my eyes from laughter. Officer Krumpe is one of the great patter songs of Sondheim.
The genius Marsh family never disappoints!
Edited to add - just listened again and noticed the "healing fissures in the party's crack" line; I honestly say on the sofa laughing out loud like a loon at that - Chapeau!!!
I thought I heard something like that but had to go right back and look again. Loved it.
Try germaloid cream... marvellous stuff!!
I think this is the best so far! Such a talented family, I love all your voices!
Utterly brilliant again Marsh Family. The writing, the singing, the acting [ even the moonwalking ! ] And of course you've perfectly summed up the times here in the UK again.
Absolutely brilliant guys....and here we are again.....😖🤥😵💫😳🤯
Here we are
Here we are
Here we are again
We're Pat and Mac and Tommy and Jack and Joe........
That was fantastic. Thank you The Marsh Family.
It's nice to hear truth told with good cheer, even when there's every reason to be livid and outraged at our incompetent and immoral governments (whichever country we're in).
It takes real talent to produce this so quickly and perform it flawlessly with no, or little rehearsal. As usual, great singing, acting and humour.
Can see Ella In Broadway her voice is so stunning,, but then again, they all could, one talented family
I so agree with every word of those lyrics, well done Marsh family !
That is just pure brilliance.
👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Right on family.😊You have a great ability to tell it as it is 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
How you are coming out with these so quickly and for them to be so amazing is beyond me. It is fantastic well done.
Every new offering I think is the best ever and then you top it. This is yet again absolutely brilliant and does provide some cheer to the depressing happenings in Westminster.
Utterly wonderful! Congratulations.
Yet another fantastic video from the super talented Marsh Family! I need to start thinking of more words to describe the videos, as I keep repeating myself... brilliant, fantastic, superb, funny, topical, spot on.......
Oh my gosh- perfection!
Loved it. Of course I am clueless about how your candidates are chosen and elections are run, but
the you have got to be kidding me feeling is amusing. Thanks.
even a parody song this good cannot show the true ineptitude of the Tory party. The Marsh family is magnificent as always.
Hit the nail on the head again...wonderful.
Another masterpiece
Big fan of all your songs and the talent in the family, but really love these 'mini stage productions' you do.
Had a massive grin watching this, really entertaining.
Sondheim would applaud - as usual, superb! - thank you all
One of your best! Brilliant writing, singing and acting.
Absolutely brilliant - well done guys - such talent -so much more than our MPs!!
Genius. I loved it. You are all so fantastic 👏
Absolutely amazing, brilliant well done 👍👍👍
Simply Excellent!! Well done and I can't believe how quickly you finished this one.
This is simply BRILLIANT!
Wow! Another masterpiece out of the bag so quickly. You sum up our British government so superbly. Over the last two years, your family have not only shown they are great singers but fantastic actors too! As usual, I really look forward to seeing your videos. Thank you Marsh family. 👏👏👏
What a talented family. Bravo!
Absolutely magnificent. I have only just got around to listening to it. Your diction and timing is impeccable, as always. Thank you.
Stunning - singing, lyrics, moves! Hope you get an Oscar soon! 👍😀❤️
Fabulous! And tragically accurate 😭
Luv you guys! You lift me up when I'm feeling down - thank you!
Choreography and acting in this one are 🌟Writing is clever ^2 considering the pace of this shambles. We must have a GE.
You guys just keep getting better and better!!!! I'm a Canadian, "Guardian reading, tofu eating, member of the wokerati" and I LOVE you!!!!!
Another stunning rendition. Finger on the pulse as always. Kudos.
Superb. Marsh Family rule!!!
This was brilliant! I still don’t know how you do it so quickly…and you always get it so right! Thank you Marsh Family ❤
Superb! Performance, wit, social commentary, enunciation-ah, and those voices!
I just want to say I worship the whole lot of you. I cannot imagine the thrill of being in a family with such astounding musical talent. Thank you for every you tube you make, they make my day!
I bet even the sewing machine is a singer.
I really love you guys xxxxxxx
Ditto 😁
Amazing.. every song just gets better! Love watching these!
You guys are amazing, thank you
Yes, Tess for prime minister, she would do a better job than the last ones. fantastic job yet again. I love all of your songs
So grateful for all of you! What wondrous creativity! And important messages! Thank-you!
Gotta love you guys for your humor, dedication, musicality and all your wonderful ideas!
You’re all just so brilliant
I adore watching what’s next with you guys!!!
Always exciting!
You're all so talented. Excellent performance!
Brilliant. Great writing again and performing again. This brightened my day 👍🏻
Genius, yet again you produce an amazing performance that is hilarious and bang on the button. This should be on prime time news! Love you guys, keep 'em coming. X
Love it! ❤
You guys are so creative and clever in adapting your witty, well-judged lyrics to the rhythm and pace of the song. I'm in awe and sending you much love!
That was AMAZING 🤩 👏👏👏
So relevant and yet so true to the original song, which is tricky in itself 👍😉😊👏
Just brilliant! Lovely to be able to find a crumb of comedy and comfort in this awful, ongoing nightmare we are all living through! It's the dreadful fact that this is all being done to us, and we have no say, and no recourse to fairness. Call this a democracy? I don't think so. But thank you to this wonderful talented family for doing what they do SO well - and doing it together!
Outstanding!!! One of your best ever! And, of course, the message so pertinent...
Keep em coming, Marshes!
Brilliant. The Holderness Family / Randy Rainbow of the UK.
The voices are the icing on another work of genius!
Beautifully written,really enjoyed this.
Thank you guys, this was brilliant as always. You really brighten up my days with your humour, thank you for sharing your wonderful family with us
You guys hit the nail on the head with that song Particularly the end line 👍
Brilliant! 💖 I am Australian-born with British blood. I am crying out in pain for you all! 😤
Thank you. It's become very embarrassing to be British atm.
Thank you
YOu've outdone yourselves - this was absolutely marvelous!!!
You sing what we all think. Brilliant.
Absolutely brilliant xxx
Just fantastic thank you! One of my fav songs from musicals. Yes I fell about laughing at the ‘healing fissures…’ line, but my prize for under the radar comedy goes to the boast ‘I nearly joined the army’ (should def be in the KPIs for aspiring PMs). Congratulations on another stellar performance- always so good to see you having fun as well as singing so wonderfully..thank you for continuing to let us into your lives… ❤😘
This one was great!
That was utterly brilliant. 😄
Brilliant yet again 👍🏻👏
Whomever wrote the lyrics should get a gold star..🏆
What a MAJOR accomplishment this is!
I TRUSS that this small contribution will ensure that you MAY continue to make videos that never BORIS.
(Please never BORIS!)
Bravo from Queensland Australia
Hysterical - that's the only word that sums up your performance (hysterically funny!) and the current state of the Tory party and their 'government' (hysterically mad/bad🤬) Thank you Marsh family 👏🥰
BRAVO! The Marsh's strike gold again! Not only is the music improving as always, but I'm digging the theater added as well. Hmmm May need to come up with a play for the West End one of these days 🙂
Brilliant! I know you are all busy people (or you could never do all this, so well - it takes practice and ingenuity to sing and play to the standards you do and to write lyrics), but I am thinking you may just have to write a musical or pantomime for the Marsh family, one day. You just keep setting the bar higher!
Congratulations to all of you. Superb.
Haha yes. But they wouldn't have time to write that atm, there's so much British politics to keep them busy 🤣. And I believe they have real jobs too in their spare time?
Love you guys...❤️ Fabulous performance... Kudos..
family von trapp + excellent satirical writing = the marshes - thank you!
Great performance you guys show one more and show another one and another one and that is definitely a good one you work well together
Oh excellent, you have such great voices and acting for these musical style numbers, keep it up!
Awesome! Loved it
We all see the end superb performance, but how much creativeness and patience is needed to actually write the words, arrange and practice both singing and moves, lighting, and not fall out with each other, in this song there's so much going on, it's giddying!!! I am in total awe!!💐💐
Fantastic sums the situation up perfectly.
Fabuloso as always
That is so good. Well done the Marsh family.
I love to watch this talented family; I am so pleased they are still finding time to write and perform these clever parodies...
Excellent!
Utterly brilliant! Loved it and exactly how I feel! Please keep them coming, it certainly helps to leven the gloomy mood! Many, many thanks.
Fabulous - I’m loving the acting - so good🤩we really need Marsh Family the Musical...
I totally agree with the idea of a Marsh Family Musical.
The original West Side Story Bernstein, Sondheim and Robbins , is my favourite film and led to my lifelong appreciation of Sondheim’s work. This is a great tribute to a man who wrote exceptional lyrics ( unlike modern popular songs , where they rarely have any) You always write clever lyrics but how you wrote this and mastered the choreography of it whilst coping with the difficult musical structure of the song in the short ‘political’ time you have had, is absolutely amazing!!! Thank you! Thank you!
This was JUST BRILLIANT and I’m an American and don’t even understand y’all’s political system lol. Wow. Truly incredible!
We certainly live in interesting times. On a positive note it's never boring. 🙄 I'm haven't discussions with my cat Angel about putting her name forward as the best candidate. She sleeps about 18 hours a day so she wouldn't have time to be too destructive.
@@janemuir3269 I did once put Oscar Black's details on a response card looking for local MP candidates... We never got a response, I presume it is because Oscar didn't turn up on the electoral register, what with him being my cat 🐈 and all 🤣
Brilliant! We need 'someone good' .... please apply Marsh Family members - so much more talented than the UK MPs.👏 GeneralElectionNOW 🙏
at last, the poppy curtains make their big comeback!!! so happy to see them and to know youve not got rid of them!!! Wondered if they would make a cameo appearance during a Liz Truss song, but so relieved to see them here. West Side Story is my all time favourite musical so thank you for picking this song, one of my favourites, great composition and production as usual. Dont worry about being political, next subject has to be Rishi, politics affects life so theres nothing wrong with doing the odd political song, makes it a lot easier to bear too!!! ETA I think musical theatre is beckoning!!!!????? acting skills were out of the park!!!
As usual you nailed the details in lyrics!
But it is crazy how big (and amazing singers) the kids have gotten in those past 2,5 years!
Great stuff! 👏👏👏👏 And yes please to the final request.
Excellent…as ever, you guys are totally amazing, learning the songs and words so quickly, but what I love most of all is that you do it as a family ❤❤❤
I was wondering when you'd do a West Side Story song. I knew it would be as brilliant as ever.