"Abdul Abulbul Amir" is the most common name for a music-hall song written in 1877 under the title "Abdulla Bulbul Ameer" by Irish songwriter Percy French, and subsequently altered and popularized by a variety of other writers and performers. It tells the story of two valiant heroes—the titular Abdulla, fighting for the Turks, and his foe, Ivan Skavinsky Skavar, a Russian warrior—who encounter each other, engage in verbal boasting, and are drawn into a duel in which both perish.
Ivan Skavinsky Skavar (Stephen Fry) and Abdul the Bulbul Emir (Tony Cosmo), as depicted in a "Whitbread Best Beer" advert of 1982.
"Mr Ameer! Now, put up your hands and fight!"
William Percy French was an Irish songwriter, author, poet, entertainer and painter.
Bronze figure of Percy French in the main square of Ballyjamesduff
Percy French's grave at St Luke's Church, Formby
Mayo Mermaids