"Oom-Pah-Pah" is a lively and somewhat risqué show tune with music and lyrics by
Lionel Bart
Lionel Bart (1 August 1930 – 3 April 1999) was a British writer and composer of pop music and musicals. He wrote Tommy Steele's " Rock with the Caveman" and was the sole creator of the musical ''Oliver!'' (1960). With ''Oliver!'' and his wor ...
and appearing in the 1960 musical ''
Oliver!'', when it is sung by
Nancy and the crowd at the "Three Cripples" tavern. The word "oom-pah-pah" is seemingly used euphemistically to refer to both
intoxication and
fornication. Although not an original
music hall song, it recalls that genre well and, in terms of both its tempo and suggestiveness, shares characteristics with such late 19th century songs as "
Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay
"Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay" is a vaudeville and music hall song. Its first known public performance was in Henry J. Sayers' 1891 revue ''Tuxedo'' in Boston, Massachusetts. The song became widely known in the version sung by Lottie Collins in London music ...
".
In the stage musical, the song opens Act II and does not contribute to the storyline. For the 1968
film version
A film adaptation is the transfer of a work or story, in whole or in part, to a feature film. Although often considered a type of derivative work, film adaptation has been conceptualized recently by academic scholars such as Robert Stam as a dia ...
it was moved to near the end and given a dramatic purpose: Bill Sikes has refused to let Nancy take Oliver out of the pub and, unknown to him, to Mr Brownlow and rescue. He orders Bullseye to guard Oliver while he immerses himself in discussion with Fagin, so Nancy starts the song and gradually works the pub crowd into a raucous singalong, hoping their noise will drown out Bullseye's barking long enough for her to get Oliver away.
{{Oliver Twist
Songs from Oliver!
Songs written by Lionel Bart
1960 songs