Bragi Boddason was a famous Norwegian skaldic poet who lived in the first half of the 9th century and composed poetry about the legendary Ragnar Lodbrok among others. But some people believe that Bragi Boddason is also Bragi the god, the Skaldic poet of Valhalla who lived among the Aesir gods and composed poems about their deeds.   But what do we know about Bragi the man, and what evidence is there that he is also Bragi the god? Read on to meet the most famous Skald in Viking history.   Bragi the Skald Bragi, from: Stofnun Árna Magnússonar í íslenskum fræðum, AM 738 4to, 40r, 1680. Source: My Norse Digital Image Repository   Skaldic poets were composers and reciters of Skaldic verses, one of the types of poetry popular among the Vikings. They were often attached to the courts of chiefs and kings and composed verses about the deeds of their king, his warriors, and ancestors, or about the legendary deeds of gods and heroes.   Bragi Boddason, also known as Bragil Hinn Gamli (Bragi the Old) was a famous Norwegian Skald from the 9th century. He was from a family of Skalds. He married Loptheona, the daughter of another famous Skald Erpr lutandi, who was a Skald at the court of the Swedish king Eysteinn Beli. Eysteinn was apparently made king of Sweden by Ragnar Lodbrok but then went to war with Ragnar’s sons. Among Bragi’s descendants was another famous Skald, Gunnlaugr Ormstunga (serpent tongue), who was a famous Skald in Iceland.   According to the Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson, Bragi was a Skald for the semi-legendary ruler Ragnar Lodbrok, Eysteinn Beli, and then Bjorn at Haugi, apparently the son of Bjorn Ironside. This suggests that he was active between 835-900. There are enough attestations of Bragi Boddason to confirm that he was a real person, but stories about him confronting a troll woman and identifying a changeling are probably fictitious.   The only work by Boddason that partially survives is the Ragnarsdrapa, a poem recounting the deeds of the eponymous hero, and describing the legendary scenes on a decorated shield that Ragnar gave the poet.   Thor’s Fishing Trip, by Jakob Sigurðsson, from Det Kongelige Bibliotek, NKS 1867 4to, 93v, 1760. Source: My Norse Digital Image Repository   Fragments quoted by Sturluson in his Prose Edda suggest that Bragi’s stories included the story of the heroes Hamdir and Sorli avenging their sister with the help of Odin, the cursed never-ending battle between Hedinn and Hogni, the story of the fishing trip on which Thor almost caught the Midgard Serpent Jormungandr on his line, and the story of the goddess Gefjun separating Zealand from the rest of Sweden with a plow.   According to Egils Saga, Bragi also composed a Skald to ransom his own head when he angered King Bjorn. The hero of the saga, Egil Skallagrimsson, followed his example when he found himself in trouble with Erik Bloodaxe.   Bragi of Valhalla Heidrun standing on the roof of Valhalla, by Jakob Sigurðsson, from, Det Kongelige Bibliotek, NKS 1867 4to, 99r, 1760. Source: My Norse Digital Image Repository   Bragi was also the name of the god of Skaldic poetry in Norse mythology, and some people have suggested that Bragi Boddason and Bragi the god were one and the same.   Bragi was the Skald of Valhalla, in Odin’s great hall in Asgard, where the bravest fallen warriors lived. There they train, fight, and feast until they are called on to fight again alongside the gods at Ragnarok. Bragi welcomed new warriors when they arrived in the hall and composed poems about their incredible deeds to entertain the group of dead warriors, collectively known as the Einherjar.   The earliest reference to the god Bragi comes from 954, in the Eiriksmal, which describes Bragi in Valhalla asking Odin why he has taken the life of the brave king Erik Bloodaxe. This timeline means that Bragi of Valhalla could have been Bragi Boddason, taken to Valhalla after his death to serve its warriors.   While individual fallen warriors were never treated as gods, Bragi is often described as being among them, suggesting a kind of apotheosis.   Bragi the God Bragi and Idun, by Lorenz Frølich, from Ældre Eddas Gudesange, translated by Karl Gjellerup, 1895. Source: My Norse Digital Image Repository   According to the surviving sources for Norse mythology, Bragi was married to the goddess Idun, who tended to the magical orchards of Asgard that produced the golden fruits that ensured the youth and immortality of the gods.   Marrying Idun could have been enough to see the gods accept Bragi as one of them. This is seen in several cases. For example, when the giantess Skadi came to Asgard to seek vengeance for the death of her father Thjazi, rather than fight her, the gods offered to pay for the death. Payment included letting Skadi marry one of the gods.   Bragi at the Lokasenna The Lokasenna, by W.G. Collingwood, from Elder or Poetic Edda: Commonly Known As Sæmund’s Edda, translated by Olive Bray, 1908. Source: My Norse Digital Image Repository   Bragi may have served a similar role among the gods as he did in Valhalla. In another story, when Loki tries to invade a dinner to which he was not invited, Bragi is the first to try and turn him away. This may suggest that as the court Skald, this was his role. In the end, Loki is allowed to enter because he reminds Odin of the old blood oath between them to never eat unless it was together.   Loki is allowed to enter and goes on to insult all the gods in a story known as the Lokasenna. Loki initially greets all the gods but pointedly ignores Bragi. The Skald then tries to win his favor by offering Loki his sword, horse, and arm ring as gifts. Loki rejects these, calling Bragi a coward.   Loki’s treatment of Bragi could be because he was considered lesser than the other gods present in some way. He may have called him a coward because he earned his place in Valhalla with his tongue—which was apparently engraved with runes—rather than his sword.   When Idun comes to her husband’s defense, Loki accuses her of embracing her brother’s killer. This is probably a reference to Bragi, but whatever the story is, it is now lost.   With only this information available, we are left to speculate about Bragi’s status among the Norse gods.   God of Poetry Odin and the Mead of Poetry, by Jakob Sigurdsson, from Det Kongelige Bibliotek, NKS 1867 4to, 92r, 1760. Source: My Norse Digital Image Repository   While Bragi is listed in myths as one of the Norse gods, there is no evidence that he was ever worshiped by the Vikings as a god of poetry. He is never invoked in surviving poems for divine inspiration.   Odin may have played a more important role as a muse or source of divine inspiration. This is because Odin was associated with the Mead of Poetry, a magical drink that gave the drinker mastery over the spoken word.   The mead was made after the Aesir-Vanir War when the two tribes of gods mixed their spit to declare a truce. This potent mixture was then used to make a man called Kvasir, considered the most intelligent being in the universe. When two dwarves met Kvasir, they decided to kill him and use his blood to make the Mead of Poetry.   Dwarves who go around killing people for their blood tend to make enemies, and they soon fell afoul of a giant, who demanded the mead in payment. Odin then learned about the existence of the mead and came up with a magical plot to steal it.   At the end of his adventure, Odin drinks all the mead, and holds it in his stomach, and then turns into an eagle to fly back to Asgard with the mead. On the flight, while being chased, he either lets some of the mead fall from his mouth or expels some as urine over the world of men. This is the mead that gives human skalds their skills. The rest he spat into three giant drinking horns in Asgard.   The Apotheosis of Bragi Bragi the Elder, by Carl Wahlbom, 1833-1837. Source: Nationalmuseet Sweden   It is possible that Bragi Boddason was considered such a skilled poet that the Vikings believed that he was taken to Valhalla after his death to serve as the Skald of the fallen warriors there. Marrying the goddess Idun, he soon found himself among the gods.

  The quotes of the Duke of Wellington, combined with his skills, attitude, and historical achievements, will continue to inspire generations of people for hundreds of years to come. What inspired Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, to deliver his most famous quotes, and at whom were they aimed?   The Quick Wit of the Duke of Wellington Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, by Thomas Lawrence, 1815-6. Source: The Museum of the Prime Minister   We’ve all heard of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, we have also all heard his witty comments and pearls of wisdom which were deemed valuable enough to be recorded. His words are unmistakably his own. After all, he is responsible for some of the most iconic quotes in British history.   Wellington’s words were not only amusing but also plentiful. He left us so many messages that, when it comes to selecting one to consider, history enthusiasts may wonder exactly where to begin.   “The only thing I am afraid of is fear,” “I never saw so many shocking bad hats in my life,” and “I believe I forgot to tell you I was made a Duke,” are all instantly recognizable to anyone with an interest in 19th century Britain.   On searching for “Duke of Wellington quotes,” either online or in literature, one will be immediately bombarded with hundreds of appropriate suggestions. But quotes, without background and without context, can lack deeper meaning and even lose their humorous elements.   From his famous “Publish and be damned,” to his lesser-known “Sparrowhawks, ma’am,” in this article, we will take a moment to explore the fascinating stories behind some of his words. What inspired Wellington to utter the phrases that have since become remembered as his most infamous quips?   What Do You Need to Know About the Duke of Wellington? Battle of Waterloo, by Jan Willem Pieneman, 1824. Source: The Rijksmuseum   There would be no point in examining the quotes of an unknown or unfamiliar figure. So, to truly understand and appreciate the meaning behind the Duke of Wellington’s quotes, we must first understand exactly who he was, what he did, and what made him worthy of becoming a national hero.   Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, was a British soldier and statesman who lived between the years of 1769 and 1852. He lived during the reigns of four Monarchs: King George III, King George IV, King William IV, and perhaps most importantly, Queen Victoria.   Wellington is famous for two reasons. Firstly, he is famous for his crucial role in the Napoleonic Wars and for leading the English army to victory at the Battle of Waterloo. Secondly, he is famous for becoming Prime Minister of Britain on two separate occasions, firstly from 1828 to 1830, and then again for a brief spell in 1834.   Although he enjoyed a successful political career, it was his capability in battle that ensured Wellington would be remembered forever. Even now, he is well known for his adaptive defensive style of warfare, and he is still regarded as one of the greatest military commanders of the modern era.   So esteemed is the Duke of Wellington that the Encyclopaedia Britannica describes him as “the conqueror of the world’s conqueror,” stating that there is still “widespread appreciation of his military genius and of his character as an honest and selfless politician, uncorrupted by vast prestige.”   Wellington continued as one of the leading figures in the House of Lords until his retirement and even remained Commander-in-Chief of the British Army until his death. In the 21st century, Brits are reminded daily of Wellington’s life and achievements. Monuments erected in his honor are dotted all over England, Ireland, and Wales.   Entrance to King’s Palace, Hyde Park Corner, by Thomas Hosmer Shepard, 1827. Source: British Library   Some of the most famous include the Wellington Monument (which stands on Park Lane in London), the Wellington Arch (which stands on Hyde Park Corner, also in London), and a monumental column and statue in his birthplace of County Meath in Ireland.   1. “Sparrowhawks, Ma’am!”: The Duke of Wellington to Queen Victoria  A Sparrowhawk, by Jacopo d’ Barbari, 1500s. Source: The National Gallery, London   “Sparrowhawks, Ma’am!” What can we immediately tell about this exclamation? Well, obviously, this famous pair of words were originally uttered in response to a direct question.   It was Queen Victoria who, at the very beginning of the 1850s, specifically requested the Duke of Wellington’s advice. Assuming he would come up with an appropriate and immediate answer, she asked something along the lines of, “ … how are we going to get rid of all these sparrows?”   Queen Victoria was talking about the many hundreds of sparrows that had seen fit to nest in the newly finished Crystal Palace, where the famous Great Exhibition was due to take place within the next few weeks. For this event, more than 14,000 exhibitors from around the world would gather to display the finest and most modern technology of the industrial revolution.   In Victorian Britain (and even had it been built in 21st-century Britain), the Crystal Palace would have been quite a sight to behold. It was nearly 2,000 feet long and nearly 130 feet high. It covered an enormous area of nearly 100,000 square feet. This made it three times as large as Saint Paul’s Cathedral.   An incredible 60,000 panes of glass were manufactured by the talented Chance Brothers and, shockingly, the construction was completed within 39 weeks. Once finished, it was said to have been the greatest area of glass ever seen in a single building. It amazed visitors with its clear walls and ceilings that, during the day, did not require interior lighting.   View from the Knightsbridge Road of The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park for the Grand International Exhibition, by Read & Co. Engravers & Printers,1851. Source: Wikimedia Commons   It seemed that the only problem with this Palace was the selection of uninvited guests that it had attracted. To say that the sparrows had made a nuisance of themselves would be something of an understatement. They not only nested in the elms but also perched on the trusses and girders, and made excellent use of the wide open space in which to fly. If they remained at the Crystal Palace, they were sure to make a severe mess of some of the world’s greatest artistic and scientific treasures.   Allowing them to continue to reside there was simply not an option, and as the Crystal Palace was made entirely of glass, attempting to shoot the sparrows would have been extremely ill-advised. Poison was tried but to no avail. The sparrows needed to be removed within two weeks. Help had been requested from some of the greatest minds of the era, including not only the Palace’s designer Joseph Paxton but also Robert Stephenson and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, all of whom had failed to find a solution.   When Queen Victoria caught wind of the problem, she immediately demanded: “Send for the Duke.” He was sent for, and when presented with the problem, the ever-capable and multi-talented Duke said, “Sparrowhawks, ma’am.”    The sparrowhawks were brought in and then left to do what came naturally. Since one sparrowhawk is capable of catching and consuming over 2,000 sparrows per year, there is little wonder that by the time the Great Exhibition was due to begin, the infestation had cleared entirely. No doubt some sparrows were caught; no doubt the majority flew away as soon as they realized their new home had been infiltrated.   Interior of the Crystal Palace, by J.McNeven, 1851. Source: The V&A Museum   The Great Exhibition opened, as planned and sparrow-free, on the first of May in 1851. It was the first World’s Fair exhibition of culture and industry and is now remembered as one of the most important events of the reign of Queen Victoria. Some of the highlights included a hydraulic press, a fire engine, and a 27-foot-tall crystal fountain.   The event made £186,000 (equivalent to £21,670,000 today) and the money was used to create several more museums; the Victoria and Albert, the Science Museum, and the Natural History Museum.   The Crystal Palace no longer stands. The astonishing building that took 9 months to complete was utterly destroyed by a fire within just a few short hours. This disaster occurred on the 30th of November in 1936. Although 80 fire engines and 400 firemen attended the scene, it was unfortunately inextinguishable.   The future Prime Minister Winston Churchill was one of the 100,000 people who gathered to watch the blaze. He is said to have commented that the loss of the Crystal Palace signified “the end of an age.”     Historians now joke that Wellington’s victory over the Crystal Palace sparrows was equal only to his victory at the Battle of Waterloo.     2. “The Battle of Waterloo Was Won on the Playing Fields of Eton!”  The Battle of Waterloo, by William Sadler, 1815. Source: Wikimedia Commons   “The battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton.” Perhaps due to the mention of his most famous victory, this quote has become one of Wellington’s most recognizable.   To put it simply, with these words, Wellington was declaring that the skills learned at Eton College directly contributed to the British successes at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.   Eton College was originally founded by King Henry VI in the year of 1440. However, by the 18th century, Eton had already become widely renowned for its rigorous program of physical exercise and for its variety of sports. Here, Wellington was suggesting that participation in an Eton education was solely responsible for providing the courage, strength, discipline, bravery, and strategic thinking required on the battlefield.   Henry VI, 1540. Source: National Portrait Gallery   With this quote, Wellington was complimenting not only the College itself, but also his own upbringing, education, and life experience. As you might expect, Wellington himself attended Eton during his school days. He began his education there in 1781, at the age of 12, and left three years later, in 1784.   Eton College has a rich history and prestigious reputation, both of which would certainly have prepared the young Arthur Wellesley for later life as a statesman, politician, military commander, and Duke. In the past, Eton was described as “The nursery of England’s gentlemen,” or “The chief nurse of England’s statesmen,” and has always been associated with the British ruling classes.   It seems feasible that Wellington felt it necessary, on the spur of the moment, to compliment Eton, but there is actually much doubt among historians regarding whether this quote was genuine or fabricated. Even Eton College itself has expressed doubt over whether these words were ever spoken by Wellington at all.   According to the historian Sir Edward Shepherd Creasy (1812-1878), Wellington actually said—while passing an Eton cricket match many decades after the Battle of Waterloo—“There grows the stuff that won Waterloo.” Other variations on the quote, which suggest Wellington was present on the grounds of Eton rather than on the Battlefield when he spoke these infamous words, include “It is here that the Battle of Waterloo was won.”   Arms of Eton College. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Even if Wellington did say “The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton,” realistically, the statement could hardly be further from the truth. Wellington led what has since become known as a multinational army.    More than half of Wellington’s force consisted of Hanoverians, Saxons, Dutchmen, Belgians, and Prussians. Only a quarter of the 120,000 soldiers were British, and it is estimated that one in eight of these soldiers were English.   The political journalist, Colin Brown (1950-2020), stated that “Victorian jingoism fuelled one of the most persistent myths about Waterloo; that it was a British, or even more inaccurately, an English victory.” Nonetheless, the original quote will likely be connected to Wellington’s name for the foreseeable future.   We know that Wellington thought very well of his time at this ancient and distinguished College. His children, Arthur Wellesley 2nd Duke of Wellington, and Lord Charles Wellesley, were both provided with an Eton education.   3. “I Have Seen Their Backs Before!”: To King Louis XVIII of France King Louis XVIII, by Robert Lefèvre, 19th century. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Like many of Wellington’s quotes, this one has some notable variations. “I have seen their backs before, Your Majesty,” is also cited in some records as “I have seen their backs before, madam.” This leaves the reader wondering exactly who the Duke was addressing with this statement — either King Louis XVIII of France or an unidentified young lady.   The only thing we know for certain is whose backs Wellington was referring to, in particular. Apparently, either the King or the Lady had apologized for the rudeness of some French soldiers, who had purposely turned away from Wellington as he entered the room.   After receiving the apology for their behavior, as calmly as ever, Wellington assured either the King or the Lady that the incident was “of no matter,” and that he had “seen their backs before.”   According to the Anecdotes of Wellington, this event is likely to have taken place at a ball in Vienna, during the spring of 1814. Wellington’s response is just one example of his cool, confident, uncaring, and unflappable nature.   4. “She Has Grown Ugly, By Jove!”: To His Brother, Gerald Wellesley  Catherine “Kitty” Pakenham, wife of the 1st Duke of Wellington, after Thomas Lawrence, before 1900. Source: Wikimedia Commons   “She has grown ugly, by Jove!” This is certainly the most cutting of Wellington’s comments. The words are made worse given who they were aimed at: Kitty Pakenham, the woman he was soon to marry.   In their youth, this couple had been very much in love. He had asked twice for her hand and had twice been denied by her family, who considered the debt-ridden 23-year-old an inappropriate match. In 1796, the two were conveniently separated when Wellesley and his regiment were sent to India. This meant that, at the point of their engagement in 1806, they had not laid eyes on each other in eleven years.   Kitty still adored Wellesley and had even called off other engagements in the hope that he would remain faithful to her. Feeling bound by his initial promises (having lessened his debt and elevated his own position) Wellesley sent another formal proposal of marriage.   Kitty was delighted. However, she still didn’t instantly accept this offer. Instead, she expressed doubt that Wellesley would still find her attractive when he returned home and saw her for the first time in over a decade. She warned him that “in so many years I may be much more changed than I am myself conscious of. If when you have met you can tell me that you do not repent having written the letter I am answering now, I shall be most happy.”   Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, by Robert Home, 19th century. Source: Wiki Art   When Wellesley arrived home in Dublin in 1806, he realized that she was right. How exactly Kitty had changed is not specified. We may naturally imagine that, at the age of 30, she appeared older and larger to Wellington than she had when she was 19.   Whatever had happened to her must have been immediately noticeable. Wellesley was horrified by the supposed transformation and, with disapproval, informed his brother “She has grown ugly, by Jove.”   But he was a man of his word; he kept his judgments to himself and went through with the wedding on the 10th of April of the same year. Although the union produced two legitimate male children, it produced very little in the way of happiness.   Harriet Arbuthnot, Wellesley’s closest female friend with whom he had no romantic attachment, heard much about his marital woes. In response, Harriet described Kitty as “the most abominably silly and stupid woman that ever was born.” However, she did appear to have some sympathy, for she scolded Wellesley, saying that “it would be much better if he would be civil to her, but he is not, for he never speaks to her and carefully avoids ever going near her.”   Wellesley confided in Harriet that Kitty “made his house so dull that nobody would go into it,” and that her demeanor “drove him to seek abroad that comfort and happiness that was denied at home.”   5. “Publish and Be Damned!”: To Harriette Wilson Harriet Wilson, 1806. Source: The British Museum   We know by now that Wellington hated his wife but he also adored female company and could not do without it. Naturally, this led to the taking of many mistresses. Just a handful of the ladies who were rumored to have enjoyed a romantic liaison with Wellington included Lady Frances Wedderburn-Webster, Lady Frances Shelley, Lady Caroline Lamb, Lady Charlotte Greville, and Marianne Patterson.   Some of his more notable relationships with more prominent historical figures included brief affairs with the Italian opera singer (Giuseppina Grassini), and Marguerite Georges (a French actress), both of whom were former lovers of Napoleon Bonaparte. Mademoiselle Georges later claimed that Wellington was “by far the stronger” of her two lovers, but perhaps, the less said about that the better.   Strong or otherwise, women from all over Europe were quite willing to throw themselves at Wellington’s feet.   Giuseppina Grassini Playing Zaire, by Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, 1800s. Source: Musee des Beaux-Arts de Rouen   The Countess Granville described her encounter with the Duke of Wellington, which occurred in Paris during 1817. “The fact is,” she began, “that I really believe the Duke finds so few women who do not make up to him. Granville will be pleased to hear of my successes, for an ugly good sort of woman to be attended to by a man into whose good graces beauties force themselves by dint of servility.”   However, as many men throughout history have discovered, some mistresses cause more trouble than others. One such lady was Harriette Dubouchet, who is now more commonly remembered as Harriette Wilson. Harriette lived between the years of 1786 and 1845, and (like three of her sisters) lived as a Courtesan. She is best known for her relationship with the Duke of Wellington.   Later in life, having been abandoned by her lovers, Harriette Wilson found that she was down on her luck and that her personal finances were lacking. To remedy this problem, she decided to secure an income by some other means. Having written her own memoirs, mainly detailing intimacies with former lovers, she contacted each one individually and offered them the chance to escape the embarrassment she was about to inflict.   We do not know what sums of money were demanded by Harriette, but we do know that many letters were distributed among the British nobility; probably one for every man she had welcomed into her bed throughout her career. Some men responded favorably, paid up, and were removed from the memoir.   However, others didn’t. When Wellington received this threat, he gave a definite answer. “Publish and be damned.” We may assume, from this firm response, that he did not even entertain the idea of weakening.   But, publish she did.   Frederick James Lamb, 3rd Viscount Melbourne, by John Partridge, 19th century. Source: National Portrait Gallery, London   Her 1825 publication is entitled Memoirs of Harriette Wilson, Written By Herself, and is widely celebrated for its opening line, “I shall not say how and why I became, at the age of fifteen, the Mistress of the Earl of Craven.” It was reprinted by the Navarre Society in 1924, as was a follow-up title Paris Lions and London Tigers, in 1935.   Like Wellington, Harriette’s name has also been connected with a variety of other high-profile gentlemen of the era, including William Craven Earl of Craven, Frederick Lamb 3rd Viscount Melbourne, the Duke of Argyll, Lord Ponsonby, and even Prince George of Wales (the future King George IV).   It should be noted that Harriette Wilson never made any mention of bedding or even meeting the Prince of Wales in person in her memoirs. In fact, there are a large number of other politicians and nobles whose names do not feature at all. However, it is worth noting that many of these men would have been willing to do what Wellington was not.   It is perfectly reasonable to suggest that they did have a relationship with Harriette but were spared humiliation after responding to her blackmail. We can assume these threats would have worked on a small selection of her prestigious lovers; especially those who wanted to protect their own dignity, and had the funds required to do so.     The Words of Wellington: A Lasting Legacy  Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, by John Jackson, 1830-1. Source: National Portrait Gallery, London   Although we have looked at five of the Duke of Wellington’s best-known quotes, there are a wealth of others to consider. A few of the most interesting quotes to research include “Habit is ten times nature,” “A great country cannot wage a little war,” and “My rule was always to do the business of the day in the day.”

A deeply serious problem for Americans. The post The Heartbreak of Trump Derangement Syndrome appeared first on Frontpage Mag.

Weird Al Yankovic came screaming on the scene in the 1980s with a crazy sense of fashion and unusual music style. Complete with an accordion and wicked sense of humor, he’s been the undisputed parody king for more than 40 years. Weird Al has an enormous catalog of music that includes familiar songs like Eat It, Like a Surgeon, and Amish Paradise. His shows are truly unique, and something that concert-goers will never forget.  While he’s parodied many artists, he doesn’t often cover current hits. But when he does, it’s something extraordinary. Weird Al and Will Forte performed a duet of Hot To Go! on November 9 in Kansas City. It was incredible. Weird Al and Will Forte Sang “Hot To Go!” At Jason Sudeikis’ THUNDERGONG! Charity Event The pair teamed up on stage, and Will asked Al about singing a song as it’s written. “Not change the lyrics,” he asked. “That’s what I’m talking about,” Will agreed. “What a novel concept—that’s a great idea,” Al said right before the band began to play one of Chappell Roan’s huge hits. When the crowd heard Hot To Go! begin, they knew they were in for a Weird Al treat. And, as always, he was on fire. A fan shared a clip on YouTube that racked up more than 100,000 views in a day. “Someone in the crowd probably murmured ‘I hope they play hot to go, to themselves as a joke and damn near had a stroke when they actually played it,” a fan joked. This person pointed out something pretty cool. “It’s rarified air to have Weird Al parody your song, but to have him cover your song? She’s in a league of her own, truly.” “Weird Al covering Chappell Roan is the making me all kinds of happy. Forget the 6 Grammy nods. This is the true sign that she’s made it,” another fan shared. “Okay, she has officially made it. Weird Al did a straight cover of one of her songs,” Someone wrote. We love Hot to Go!, but we love Weird Al even more. This is a match made in heaven. And this person’s suggestion would be a dream come true. “All we need now is the Pink Pony Club Polka!!” You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Weird Al & Will Forte Surprise Crowd With Epic Cover Of Chappell Roan’s “Hot To Go!” appeared first on InspireMore.

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to bless others and show gratitude.

It's hard to find joy when you're struggling, especially when everyone around you seems so full of it.