Gilligan's Island Theme

TV Theme Music

Gilligan's Island was a television situation comedy starring Bob Denver (and six others). It ran in prime time for three seasons (1964-1967).

The theme was written by Sherwood Schwartz to 'jumpstart' the show -- to get around having to make any shows about how the castaways got to the island, very like "The Ballad of Jed Clampett" was used by "The Beverly Hillbillies". It was recorded by "The Wellingtons", a folk-singing group (who also record "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" for Disney, and appeared on the show as "The Mosquitos", the rock group that came to the island to get away from civilization).

The original lyrics, "... and the rest" were used because of clauses in Tina Louise's (Ginger the Movie Star's) contract (her name/face had to appear last in the opening), were replaced by "... the Professor and Mary Ann" after the first season, though this time the song was sung by another folk group, "The Eligibles" as the Wellingtons were unavaiable due to work in Las Vegas at the time.

The Music
Gilligan's Island
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The Song
The song in this book which is sung to the tune of
"Gilligan's Island"

1. Swilligan's Island

Gilligan's Island Theme

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
  a tale of a fateful trip.
That started from this tropic port,
  aboard this tiny ship.

The mate was a mighty sailin' man,
  the skipper brave and sure.
Five passengers set sail that day,
  for a three hour tour, a three hour tour.

The weather started getting rough,
  the tiny ship was tossed.
If not for the courage of the fearless crew,
  the Minnow would be lost; the Minnow would be lost.

The ship set ground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle,
  with Gilligan, the Skipper too,
  the Millionaire, and his Wife,
  the Movie Star, and the rest,
  (the Movie Star, the Professor and Mary Ann,)
  here on Gilligan's Isle.

So this is the tale of our castaways,
  they're here for a long long time.
They'll have to make the best of things,
  it's an uphill climb.

The first mate and his skipper too,
  will do their very best,
to make the others comfortable,
  in the tropic island nest.

No phones, no lights, no motor cars,
  not a single luxury.
Like Robinson Crusoe,
  it's primitive as can be.

So join us here each week my friend,
  you're sure to get a smile.
From seven stranded castaways,
  Here on Gilligan's Isle.