Never Be Rude to an Arab

Monty Python

About Never Be Rude to an Arab

"Never Be Rude to an Arab" is a satirical song by the members of Monty Python's Flying Circus, originally appearing on the 1980 album Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album. It appears as sung by Terry Jones in the theatrically released concert film Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl and was included on the compilation album Monty Python Sings. The song dispenses advice about not resorting to xenophobic insults, beginning with Arabs and moving on to other races not to be insulted—"an Israeli, a Saudi or Jew" and an "Irishman". The song then becomes offensive in its own right as it declares that one should never poke fun at a "nigger", a "spic" or a "wop" or a "kraut". Jones starts to sing "And never put...", but gets no further as he is suddenly blown up. In the Hollywood Bowl version, he is immediately dragged offstage by a costumed frog. At the Hollywood Bowl, Jones returned on the other side of an intervening sketch to sing "Never be rude to a Polack..." before being blown up again. He is again dragged offstage, this time by a Christmas tree. more »

Year:: 1989
: 1:00
: 728 Views

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Never be rude to an Arab
An Israeli, or Saudi, or Jew
Never be rude to an Irishman
No matter what you do

Never poke fun at a N*gger
A Spick, or a Wop, or a Kraut 
And never put down
(Explosion)

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Monty Python

Monty Python (sometimes known as The Pythons) was a British surreal comedy group that created Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series. The Python phenomenon developed from the television series into something larger in scope and impact, spawning touring stage shows, films, numerous albums, several books and a stage musical as well as launching the members to individual stardom. The group's influence on comedy has been compared to The Beatles' influence on music. more »

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Written by: TERRY JONES

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

13 facts about this song

Song Category "Never Be Rude to an Arab" is a comedy song, a genre which involves humorous lyrics set to music.
Released By It was released by the British comedy group known as Monty Python, known internationally for their surreal sense of humor, often involving innovative and absurd sketches.
Album Appearance The song is a part of the album "Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album", which was released in 1980.
Controversies The song, due to its controversial lyrics, was frequently pulled from the BBC radio and television broadcasts.
Performance The song was performed by Terry Jones during Monty Python's live shows.
Theme The song uses irony as its main humorous device, contrasting a pretense of respect and tolerance with gradually escalating offensive statements.
Return of the Song It was brought back for the group's reunion performances titled "Monty Python Live (Mostly)" at the O2 Arena in London, in July 2014.
Highlander Connection In an amusing connection, the song's lyrics were sung by actor Christopher Lambert in the movie "Highlander" in a bar scene.
Banned Despite being a comedy song, it was indeed banned by both the BBC and commercial radio in the UK due to explicit lyrics, proving too controversial even for a comedy piece.
Purpose Like much of Monty Python's work, the song's controversial tone and lyrics were intended to satirize and expose bigotry, providing stark contrasts between the polite rhetoric and the offensive language used.
End of Song The song famously ends halfway through, halted by an explosion sound effect, underscoring the volatile nature of the topic being satirized.
Sketch Framework It is framed as a sort of public service announcement, which adds to its satirical flavor.
Message Though the song contains offensive language, it is meant to point out the hypocrisy of politeness disguising deep-seated prejudice, a common theme in the group's work.

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"Never Be Rude to an Arab Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1921944/Monty+Python/Never+Be+Rude+to+an+Arab>.

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