The Yale Whiffenpoofs are the oldest collegiate a cappella group in the United States, established in 1909.

Their traditional closing number is "The Whiffenpoof Song". The chorus of "The Whiffenpoof Song" is taken from Rudyard Kipling's "Gentlemen Rancors".

In 1943, one of the pilots that flew with VMF-214 took the Yale "Whiffenpoof Song" and changed a few words to fit the Black Sheep. This was nothing new. Different organizations during the war adopted this song and made it thier own.

Here's ours:

From the Ground team out there searching,
To the Scanners way up high,
And the dear, old Squadron House we love so well,
See the Black Sheep all assembled,
With their heads held proud and high!
And the magic of their singing, casts a spell.

Yes the magic of their singing,
Of the songs we love so well:
"Wild Blue Yonder" and "Black Sheep" and the rest!
We will serenade our Pappy,
While Life and Voice shall last,
And we'll pass and be forgotten with the rest.

We are poor little lambs
Who have lost our way,
Baa! Baa! Baa!
We are little, black sheep
Who have gone astray!
Baa! Baa! Baa!

Ladies and Gentlemen proud are we,
Remembered from now to eternity.
Lord! Have mercy on such as we,
Baa! Baa! Baa!

Click the play button below to hear Bing Crosby sing the Yale "Whiffenpoof Song" (1947)