Âhttp://www.the-lambs.org/history.htm
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 The history of The Lambs extends back to  early 19th Century England when a group of lively folk of the theatre and arts frequently visited their friends, Charles and Mary Lamb. In the spring of 1869, a menâs theatrical and dining club was formed in London and named in their honor.
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ At Christmas time 1874 a companion club was formed here in New York by one of the London Lambs, Henry Montague: That first meeting was at the original Delmonico's Blue Room, on 14th Street (photo left). Portraits of this popular, handsome matinee idol hang in our Clubhouse. In 1877, The Lambs incorporated and began a journey which continues today.
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ The motto of the Club is Floreant Agni - May The Lambs Flourish, which with many ups and downs, it has done so for nearly 130 years. Changing times in the early 1970's led to the sale of its landmark building on West 44th Street. Since then, the Fold has been pleasantly situated here at 3 West. Originally restricted to gentlemen only, todayâs club, attuned to modern sensibilities, has emerged and thrived as a society for both ladies and gentlemen.
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ The roster of past and living Lambs reads like a Who'sâ Who of American Theatre and includes Fred Astaire, Red Barber, Maurice Barrymore, and his sons John and Lionel, David Belasco, Ed Begley, Ralph Bellamy, Edgar Bergman, Irving Berlin, Joe E. Brown, Earl Carroll, George M. Cohan, Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks, Eddie Foy (Sr. & Jr.), Sir Cedric Hardwicke, William S. Hart, Victor Herbert, Bert Lahr, Alan J. Lerner, Frederick Loewe, Ring Lardner, Alan Mowbray, Conrad Nagel, Elliot Nugent, Pat OâBrien, Will Rogers, Charlie Ruggles, Otis Skinner, John Philip Sousa, Fred Waring, David Warfield, Bert Wheeler, Ed Herilhy, James Montgomery Flagg, Gene Autry, Howard Chandler Christy, and Hon. Robert Wagner. A searchable listing of past members is available.
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ The Lambs is proud of its continuing contributions to charitable causes which The Lambs Foundation administers and funds. An early Shepherd of The Lambs was a leader in the founding of The Actorsâ Fund of America; a close association between the Fund and The Lambs continues today. Lambs' Shepherd Emeritus Tom Dillon is the President of The Actorsâ Fund, and numerous Lambs serve as Trustees of the Fund. Lambs were also instrumental in the founding of both ASCAP and Actors' Equity Association.
ÂÂÂÂÂÂ A comprehensive monograph on the history of The Lambs has been completed by Lewis J. Hardee, Jr., , Boy and Historian of The Lambs. For more information on the history, contact our Historian
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http://www.the-lambs.org/song.htm
The Song
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ Since 1874 many songs have been written about The Lambs, by Lambs, for The Lambs. The Whiffenpoof Song has been embraced by the Club and is sung after each event and gathering; We join our hands, raise our spirits and voices to the refrain.
 The The Whiffenpoof Song has been used since the earl 1900's by a group of a capella singers borne from Yale, called The Whiffenpoofs (aka The Whiffs). The song was written in 1909 by Meade Minnigerode, George S. Pomeroy and Judge Todd B. Galloway. The original words were, in part, based on Kipling's poem "Gentlemen Rankers"; and the name 'Whiffenpoof' is based on a fantasy creature fromÂVictor Herbert's 1908 operetta, Little Nemo. Folklore has it that collegiate a capella singing in the United States began at Morey's Temple Bar, a private club on the Yale Campus founded in the 1840's, where Louie, the proprietor, rewarded choral singing by Yale students with a round of drinks. The lyrics memorialize Louie, and the still operating Morey's. Note: a capella is Latin for 'of the chapel' where harmony singing was most prevalent. Collegiate a capella singing is making a big comeback, with the Whiff's leading the way still singing The Whiffenpoof Song at the end of every concert; and still singing weekly at Morey's. The Whiff's have had some impressive members over the course of time including Vincent Price and President George W. Bush's grandfather. See the Whiffenpoof's web-page for a more detailed history on the Whiffs.
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ This Baa! Baa! Baa! song was recorded by many including the Fred Waring Glee Club with Bing Crosby (the Waring group was a hugely popular chorale group for 30 years), and by Perry Como, Tex Beneke, Robert Merril, Rudy Vallee, Elvis Presely and Louis Armstrong. Vallee first sang the song while at Yale and later popularized it in 1936. It was also featured in Winged Victory in 1944. Since Victor Herbert, Fred Waring and Rudy Vallee were all Lambs it's no wonder why the song was adopted by our Fold. To see the lyrics and hear the Fred Waring/Bing Crosby recording, click on the flock.
 Copyright  2003/2004, The Lambs, Inc. - Special thanks to Al Kohn and Scott Glascock to their contributions to this article.
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http://www.the-lambs.org/about.htm
What is The Lambs ?
ÂÂÂÂÂÂ The Lambs is America's First Professional Theatrical Club, established in New York in 1874. The Lambs was named after a club by the same name in London, England, which flourished between 1869-1879. The Club name honors the essayist Charles Lamb, and his sister Mary, who -- during the early 1800's -- played host to actors and literati at their famed salon in London.
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ The Lambs is a social gathering place for persons in the entertainment industry. Performers, directors, writers and technicians of the performing arts gather to celebrate their commonality. The Club is a place where members come to enjoy each others' company, to display and hone their crafts in an atmosphere of creativity and support.
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ Since its founding, there have been more than 6,000 Lambs including such greats as Fred Astaire, Irving Berlin, George M. Cohan, W.C. Fields, Will Rogers, John Philip Sousa, Fred Waring and Albert Hague. Current luminaries include David Huddleston, James Karen, Don Pippin, Abe Vigoda and Joyce Randolph ('Trixie' of The Honeymooners).
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ Historically, The Lambs has been the spawning ground of plays, friendships and partnerships. Mark Twin Tonight (with Hal Holbrook) and Stalag 17 were first performed at The Lambs prior to their national success. Alan J. Lerner and Frederick Loewe first met at the Club and teamed to make theatrical history, often trying works-in-progress on their fellow Lambs.
For more information on the history of The Lambs, contact our Historian.
Copyright  The Lambs, Inc., 2001
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Onwards to the utmost of futures!
Om
K
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Aloha, He'Ping,
Om, Shalom, Salaam.
Em Hotep, Peace Be,
All My Relations.
Omnia Bona Bonis,
Adieu, Adios, Aloha.
Amen.
Roads End
