King Leonardo And His Short Subjects Theme Song Lyrics
Here comes Leonardo Leonardo Lion
King of Bongo Congo the hero lion of iron
Where Leonardo travels his subjects all go too
There’s Odio Cologne who’s loyal and true blue
I say there’s a booming Hunter a wily witty Fox
And Tooter who brings fun to you from Wizard’s magic box
Good King Leonardo has his enemies
Biggie with his pistols there’s Itchy with his fleas
They fought against the kingdom to overthrow the king
Looks like Leonardo has had his royal fling
But Odio Cologne steps in to change the play
That loyal skunk with skill and spunk comes through to save the day
You’ll find adventure and thrills
Laughter a minute too
You mustn’t miss excitement like this
Or Hunter may hunt you
Let’s watch Leonardo all his subjects too
Odio Cologne the Fox and Hunter too
Tooter and the Wizard they’re ready set to go
So everyone come join the fun on King Leonardo’s Show
Behind the Music: Meaning & Story
The King Leonardo theme song is a quintessential example of the 1960s “variety-style” cartoon opening. Composed for the Total Television production company (the same creative team behind the iconic Underdog theme song and Tennessee Tuxedo), the song acts as a rapid-fire introduction to the entire cast of characters. The lyrics establish the setting of Bongo Congo and introduce the kind-hearted but dim-witted King Leonardo along with his competent valet, Odie Cologne (the “loyal skunk”).
Because the show was a “short subjects” variety hour, the theme song had the heavy lifting of explaining the different segments. This is why the lyrics mention the Hunter and the Fox (The Hunter) and Tooter Turtle. The villains, Biggie Rat and Itchy Brother, are also highlighted, setting up the conflict that drove the main King and Odie segments.
Historically, this show was significant for being one of the first Saturday morning cartoons sponsored by General Mills. The catchy, rhythmic nature of the theme was designed to grab the attention of children during commercial breaks. The voice of King Leonardo was provided by Jackson Beck, who famously voiced Bluto in Popeye and later served as the narrator for the Underdog series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the main villains in King Leonardo?
The main antagonists are Biggie Rat and Itchy Brother (who is actually King Leonardo’s own brother). They are constantly plotting to overthrow the King and seize the throne of Bongo Congo.
What other cartoons were part of the “Short Subjects”?
The show featured various segments, most notably The Hunter (a detective hound chasing a fox) and Tooter Turtle (a turtle who visits a Wizard to experience different lives).
Was the show in color?
Yes, King Leonardo and His Short Subjects was one of the earliest animated series produced specifically for color television, though many viewers in the early 60s still watched it in black and white.
