The Shakespeare on the Lawn drinking song, “(May Heaven Save) Poor William’s Grave,” was written by Mike Dindoffer and Vincent Barbatti in the early 2000s. It is traditionally performed shortly after midnight at each SotL party.
So you say that you put on a play
And no-one hardly came
But the tiny crowd was plenty loud
With booing just the same
A Shakespeare show you murdered so
Your dear sweet mother cried
It’s times like these you get on your knees
And ask God why you tried
Or…
Have a drink! Don’t stop to think,
It’ll only slow you down.
May Heaven save poor William’s grave,
He’s spinning in the ground.
From Bedlam’s lot the director brought
The other cast and crew
When the set would start to fall apart
You were sent to buy more glue
The lighting wires set the stage on fire
And the cops slapped you with fines
The costumes worn were ripped and torn
And no-one knew their lines
But…
Have a drink! Don’t stop to think,
It’ll only slow you down.
May Heaven save poor William’s grave,
He’s spinning in the ground.
Did Romeo or O-thello
Make you treat the Bard unkind?
When Bill Shakespeare wrote old King Lear
He hadn’t you in mind
Was it comedy or tragedy?
‘Cause no-one there could tell
They laughed, they cried, they wished they’d died
They’d have had more fun in Hell
So…
Have a drink! Don’t stop to think,
It’ll only slow you down.
May Heaven save poor William’s grave,
He’s spinning in the ground.
The critics said they want you dead
And your house burned to the ground
They wished someone had brought a gun
But there were none around
Have you read the news? Such bad reviews!
Your career’s already through
You’re not a star, but pretend you are
And do what actors do!
And…
Have a drink! Don’t stop to think,
It’ll only slow you down.
May Heaven save poor William’s grave,
He’s spinning in the ground.
A witch’s curse could do no worse
To make a good show bad
Don’t fret at all, it’s just a fall
From grace you never had
So c’mon you ass, and raise your glass
To Shakespeare on the Lawn!
For this old ham don’t give a damn
So let the show go on!
And…
Have a drink! Don’t stop to think,
It’ll only slow you down.
May Heaven save poor William’s grave,
He’s spinning in the ground.