Dad’s Army Theme (Tab)

Dad’s Army Theme (Tab)

I’m hoping the silver lining to the cloud of shitty comedy in the UK will be plenty more memorable theme tunes. Most shows seem to take themselves far too seriously to have a theme tune capable of being hummed or played on the ukulele.

But you couldn’t accuse the Dad’s Army theme of taking itself too seriously. It’s a pastiche of the already self-mocking music hall wartime song. The even recruited WWII crooner Bud Flanagan of Flanagan and Allan. Although I would say the cover by Billy Childish is the superior version.

My version is a mish-mash of strumming and picking. The simplest way to play it is to set up your right hand the one-finger-per-string way with:

Thumb – g
Index – C
Middle – E
Ring – A

Once you’re confident doing that you can throw in strums where you see fit.

Links

Buy Music from Dad’s Army

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16 Comments

  1. mictoboy February 14th, 2013 9:30 pm

    Nice work! Very jaunty

  2. Woodshed February 14th, 2013 10:12 pm

    mictoboy: Thanks very much!

  3. Ron Hale February 15th, 2013 2:51 am

    “Who do you think you are kidding Mister Hitler
    If you think we’re on the run?”

    They don’t Make that that anymore, Al. How about
    “Are You Being Served?”? Make sure to announce the floors or it just wouldn’t be right.

    Speaking of British comedy… Saw a video the other day of Jayne Bickerton with uke as Mary Unfaithful.
    Never have found this schtick the least bit funny.

    But in this one she tried to wring laughs out of a song about Jimmy Saville. The audience laughed but I found the whole affair (as far as I watched) distasteful. Not to mention decidedly unfunny.

  4. Woodshed February 15th, 2013 9:22 am

    Ron: I think I’d need to buy a till to cover the Are You Being Served? theme.

  5. RobNY February 15th, 2013 2:26 pm

    I love it. Sounds like it was made for the uke. The mish-mash works perfectly.

  6. Woodshed February 16th, 2013 8:40 am

    RobNY: Glad you like!

  7. Kempo February 16th, 2013 7:03 pm

    A masterpiece of arranging there, Al.

    Miranda Hart ellicits the kind of anger ‘I normally reserve for when I’m flying with Ryanair’.

    A knowing look to the camera… and now she’s fallen over again!!

  8. Woodshed February 16th, 2013 8:45 pm

    Kempo: Thanks! You’re too kind! I couldn’t stand to watch Miranda for long enough to give a fully informed opinion.

  9. The Captain February 17th, 2013 1:38 pm

    As usual a great arrangement BUT what I liked most was the link for Billy Childish’s song. He has been on my to-listen-to-list for a long time and now I found a really great song to start with thanks to you. I found out he plays the uke from time to time, too. I think “Darcy Liver (Boogielicious)” is just great fun.

  10. Woodshed February 18th, 2013 10:50 am

    Captain: I’m similar. I occasionally hear something of his, decide he’s brilliant and should listen to more, then don’t.

  11. madmonk July 21st, 2014 3:24 am

    Can’t agree the B.Childish is superior, Bud Flanagan’s mellifluous tone is what is needed to make this song shine

  12. madmonk July 21st, 2014 3:52 am

    …but before you chew me out, and without sounding like I am pissing in your pocket you play it very well

  13. Woodshed July 21st, 2014 8:37 am

    madmonk: Don’t worry, I’m not going to chew you out for having an incorrect opinion!

    As it happens, I’m not sure if I still agree with myself on this one.

  14. Madmonk July 23rd, 2014 4:42 am

    …about your playing or B Childish?
    Uke Rules OK!

  15. Madmonk July 23rd, 2014 4:46 am

    Bugger where did that extra bit of comment come from ( from you). Wasn’t there when I penned my “o so witty” response :)Don’t undersell yourself, you have encouraged me to fingerpick and strum IN THE SAME SONG!!!
    Catchya

  16. Woodshed July 23rd, 2014 8:28 am

    Madmonk: Don’t worry about it! I was just referring to the Billy Childish comment. I’m not sure it is the best version any more.

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