The Beatles: Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite

A random video pops up in my YouTube feed, "Lennon's Poster". What's that? A gentleman by the name of Peter Dean set out to recreate the poster which inspired John Lennon to write this song. It was a lovely trip down memory lane, and I learned behind the scenes details of this iconic piece of music. (The video Lennon's Poster is at the end.)

Published on Jun 19, 2018 by The Beatles
YouTube: Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! (Remastered 2009) (2:37)

For the benefit of Mr. Kite,
There will be a show tonight
On trampoline.

The Hendersons will all be there.
Late of Pablo Fanque's Fair.
What a scene!

Over men and horses, hoops and garters,
Lastly through a hogshead of real fire!
In this way
Mr. K.
Will challenge the world!

The celebrated Mr. K.
Performs his feat on Saturday
At Bishopsgate.

The Hendersons will dance and sing
As Mr. Kite flies through the ring.
Don't be late!

Messrs. K. and H. assure the public
Their production will be second to none.
And of course
Henry The Horse
Dances the waltz!

The band begins at ten to six,
When Mr. K. performs his tricks
Without a sound.

And Mr. H. will demonstrate
Ten summersets he'll undertake
On solid ground.

Having been some days in preparation,
A splendid time is guaranteed for all.
And tonight
Mr. Kite
Is topping the bill!

References

Wikipedia: Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!
"Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!" is a song recorded by the English rock band the Beatles for their 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was written and composed primarily by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney.

Most of the lyrics came from a 19th-century circus poster for Pablo Fanque's Circus Royal appearance at Rochdale. It was one of three songs from the Sgt. Pepper album that was banned from playing on the BBC, supposedly because the phrase "Henry the Horse" combined two words that were individually known as slang for heroin. Lennon denied that the song had anything to do with heroin.

Published on Mar 26, 2019 by The HollyHobs
YouTube: How The Beatles Made "Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite" (5:45)

Published on Oct 15, 2012 by Make Productions
YouTube: Lennon's Poster (3:25)
A short film following the recreation of the Pablo Fanque circus poster that inspired John Lennon to write 'Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite' for the Beatles album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'. Using the traditional methods of wood engraving and letterpress printing, Peter Dean and his team of experts bring to life Lennon's poster. See the finished poster here: https://kiteprint.com

2021-03-25

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