Harley Hahn Quotations

The Unix Sysadmin Song

The Unix Sysadmin Song was written by Harley Hahn for his book "The Unix Companion" (see page 253).

The song is sung to the tune of the "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General" from the Gilbert and Sullivan play Pirates of Penzance.

Unix Sysadmin:

I am the very model of a modern Unix Sysadmin,
I've information relevant to programs in slash usr bin,
I know the tricks of emacs and the vi bugs historical,
From a to ZZ upper case, in order categorical;
I'm very well acquainted too with matters of the interface,
I understand commands of pine, and how they hurt the human race.
About the pico editor I'm teeming with a lot o' bosh —
With many cheerful facts of how it's dumber than a Macintosh.

Chorus:

With many cheerful facts of how it's dumber than a Macintosh.

Unix Sysadmin:

I'm very good at showing users how to pick the best of tools,
I know I should avoid the nerds who hang out in the vestibules;
In short, in matters relevant to programs in slash usr bin,
I am the very model of a modern Unix Sysadmin.

Chorus:

In short, in matters relevant to programs in slash usr bin,
He is the very model of a modern Unix Sysadmin.