OH MY DARLING REGISTRAR
( Song to the Tune of "Oh My Darling Clementine" )
VERSE ONE,
In a courtyard, deep in London, by the Inns and near the bar;
Full of knowledge, Gresham College, and its charming registrar.
CHORUS A,
Oh our darling, oh our darling, oh our darling, Barbara!
You are Gresham’s one and only Academic Registrar.
VERSE TWO,
Not replete with core professors, they sought speakers from afar;
Should have vexed her, dozens extra, “That sounds great,” said Barbara.
CHORUS A,
Oh our darling, oh our darling, oh our darling, Barbara!
You are Gresham’s one and only Academic Registrar.
VERSE THREE,
Then one evening, after lectures, she told Rod, beneath the stars;
“B’fore expiring, I’m retiring, find another registrar”.
CHORUS B,
Oh our darling, oh our darling, oh our darling, Barbara!
Please don’t leave us, please remain our Academic Registrar.
VERSE FOUR,
Some days later, Council meeting, Rod he told them how things are;
Spoke that lost and languid provost, “We’ve been dumped by Barbara.”
CHORUS B,
Oh our darling, oh our darling, oh our darling, Barbara!
Please don’t leave us, please remain our Academic Registrar.
VERSE FIVE,
Then Tim Connell, had a brainwave, “The Society can con-fer”
At the right time, for her lifetime, Honorary Registrar
CHORUS C,
Oh our darling, oh our darling, oh our darling, Barbara!
You’re forever the Society’s Honorary Registrar.
[a parody in honour of the retirement of Barbara Anderson, Gresham College Registrar 2000 to 2012]