Original version(s)

• Premiered in Liverpool, 1901

 

FZ album(s) in which song has appeared

• Zappa '66 Vol. 1: Live At TTG Studios (2026), quoted in FZ Directs The Freaks and Pomp And Circumstance Sequence, recorded at TTG Studios, Los Angeles, CA, early October 1966
• The Mothers 1971 (2022), quoted in Billy The Mountain, performed in Scranton, PA, June 1, 1971 & Harrisburg, PA, June 3, 1971
• The Mothers 1971 (2022), quoted in Billy The Mountain, performed in New York, NY, June 5, 1971, early show
• The Mothers 1971 (2022), quoted in Billy The Mountain, performed in New York, NY, June 5, 1971, late show
• The Mothers 1971 (2022), quoted in Billy The Mountain, performed in New York, NY, June 6, 1971, early show
  • same version on Playground Psychotics (1992), as part of Billy The Mountain
• The Mothers 1971 (2022), quoted in Billy The Mountain, performed in New York, NY, June 6, 1971, late show
• Just Another Band From L.A. (1972), quoted in Billy The Mountain, performed in Los Angeles, CA, August 7, 1971
• Carnegie Hall (2011), quoted in Billy The Mountain—Part 1, performed in New York, NY, October 11, 1971
• Halloween 78 (2025), quoted in Watermelon In Easter Hay, performed in New York, NY, October 31, 1978

 

Tour(s) on which song is known to have been performed (main source: FZShows, v. 7.1)

• September-October 1966 (MOI)—known quotations: 1
• May-July 1971 (MOI)—known quotations: 9
• August-October 1971 (MOI)—known quotations: 6
• November-December 1971 (MOI European Tour)—known quotations: 2
• January-February 1977 (Europe)—known quotations: 1
• August-October 1978 (Europe & North America)—known quotations: 1
• May-July 1982 (Europe)—known quotations: 1
• October-December 1984 (North America)—known quotations: 1

 

Comments

Charles Ulrich, January 25, 2024 & July 4, 2026

Edward Elgar used the same melody in three compositions: Pomp & Circumstance March No. 1, Coronation Ode, and Land Of Hope & Glory. In addition to the familiar shared section, each of these three compositions contains music not heard in the others. And each of the two vocal compositions contains lyrics not heard in the other.

The eight measures quoted by FZ are from the section shared by the three compositions.

But on Zappa '66 Vol. 1, he can be heard referring to Pomp & Circumstance (which in the United States is the best known of the three, being widely played at graduation ceremonies).

A partial list of Pomp & Circumstance quotations, compiled by Charles Ulrich

66/10/ Los Angeles (as heard on Zappa '66 Vol. 1: Live At TTG Studios)
1971: regularly in Billy The Mountain (as heard on JABFLA, Playground Psychotics, Carnegie Hall, and Mothers 1971)
77/02/09 London: Titties & Beer
78/10/31 New York: Watermelon In Easter Hay
82/06/26 Munich: King Kong
84/11/17 Pittsburgh: Penguin In Bondage

Any more?