One Toke Over The Line - Lawrence Welk - WTF! (1971) 

For their next Lawrence Welk performance, Gale and Dale performed "Heroin" by the Velvet Underground. Larry loved it!

"a modern spiritual by Gail and Dale". Preach, Brother Welk!

No matter how many times I watch this it is absolutely hilarious

I bet Brewer and Shipley laughed their asses off when they got the request to use their song on the Lawrence Welk sure.

Thank goodness the algorithm finally showed me this.

My Dad was a drummer in the 30s and 40s and saw this performance when it aired on TV. Because of his association with so many musicians over the years, he knew full well what this song was about and laughed out loud as he watched. Our relationship reached a turning point that evening and we became much "closer" from that point forward.

Just good wholesome family entertainment as the bong gets passed around.

My sister's high school chorus sang this for a school production in 1971 or 72. The chorus director knew full well what it was about, as did virtually all the kids singing it. The parents heard the part about Jesus and Mary and came to the same conclusion Welk did.

I have now seen EVERYTHING.

Can't wait to see the Lennon Sisters doing The Pusher. lol

So wholesome!

They knew EXACTLY what they were singing... and Lawrence Welk didn't.

Parents and older adults were clueless in the early 70's. In 1971, when i was in 11th grade high school, my mother helped me grow a pot plant. told her it was a biology class project. I came home from school one day and my mom was so excited, she was so happy my plant had a flower! Good times, good times.

The greatest thing that ever happened on The Lawrence Welk Show.

“Some radio stations refused to play this song because of the drug references, but not everyone got this meaning. In 1971 the song was performed on the Lawrence Welk Show by the wholesome-looking couple Gail Farrell and Dick Dale, who clearly had NO clue what a toke was. Welk, at the conclusion of the performance of the song, remarked, without any hint of humor, "there you've heard a modern spiritual by Gail and Dale." “ Brewer and Shipley spent 35 years trying to find the performance. They finally found a woman in Branson, Missouri who had one. Shipley posted the clip to his RU-vid account in 2007, and ever since that moment, he says he's been trying to find a way to stop the automatic notifications that come in every time a comment is left on the video's page. "It just keeps filling up my email (inbox). But at the same time, I'm reticent to pull it down because so many folks like it."

I loved how the accordian player who introduces the tune is choking and having trouble keeping the smirk off his face.

40 years ago I worked at an IGA grocery store that ran "IGA Radio" over the store's overhead speakers. It once ran a Public Service Announcement saying something like "IGA is proud of our hometown young people that say 'no to drugs'" This was the very next song that came on.

This will never not be the best thing ever broadcast on Lawrence Welk.

you get the feeling Myron Floren knew PRECISELY what the song was about, and was suppressing a laugh during his intro

Seems like Myron had a toke right before introducing this song! Lol...

I was looking for this song, and came upon this . I cannot believe that this song was on this show . I used to watch this show live with my grandmother back in the 60's . I come from a time when you had to sift through your pot to get out the stems & seeds . having a seed pop always freaked me out . this is the first time that i've seen this clip and it just made my day.

Both singers were flawless on that key change, wow that was smooth

Tank you Gail and Dick--wunnerful,wunnerful--and now we have the Andrews Sisters singing--I can't get no satisfaction (said in my best lawrence Welk impersonation)

Lol… you guys knew.. I was only 10 when the song came out and until today I thought it was ‘one TOE’ 😬😂😂. Yep old Lawrence had No Idea…. That show was so straight laced it could make Disney squirm!… thanks for saving a cool part of history

I have this image in my head of it being 197?, theres a fifteen year old kid, who needs a haircut, watching Lawrence Welk with his parents, bored out of his mind when this number comes on. Then I picture this same kid, on the floor laughing his ass off and his parents not having a clue as to why hes laughing.

I kept thinking of Robin Williams doing his Welk impression---"play that funky music,white boys !"

What I would give to go back in time 50 plus years and watch Lawrence Welk with my Grandparents.

This is the only song that was recorded by both Lawrence Welk and Jerry Garcia.

Wow. Just wow. My parents watched this every fricking week, and I often did too, when I was like 8. This explains why I am the way I am...

I remember that for me, this was a difficult song to get radio exposure for ( and therefore profit$ ) when it was released in 1971. I was West Coast promotions manager for the record label that Brewer and Shipley had signed with. I met and liked the guys but most radio stations in rural areas were socially conservative, and very reluctant to alienate listeners with this " hippie lyrics " type music. Top 40 radio stations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, etc, only aired true " hits ". For the record label it was a minimal performer saleswise. Brewer and Shipley have smartly made a livable income off of " One Toke "'. The song's controversial lyrics and the Lawrence Welk gaffe have given them the exposure needed to continue to tour and appear at smaller venues to this day.

The performance that drove states to legalize grass. "If Lawrence is good with it, we all should be too."

Goes to show you that The Lawrence Welk show is indeed one of the few shows that was on the cutting edge of music...and the bubbles came from the bong, too.

"Next we have a-Bobby and a-Cissy dancing to "The Needle and the Damage Done."

"A modern spiritual" Said Lawrence Welk... he didn't realize how right he was!

I actually saw this show when it first aired. (See * below.) Lawrence Welk had no idea what the lyrics were really talking about, which was common for rock-pop songs in the late 60s & early 70s. They heard the phrase "Sweet Jesus" and, thinking it was a religious song, decided that it was good enough for them. Yes, note how Welk describes it as a "Modern Spiritual" at the end of the song. He really thot that's what it was! It also makes you wonder why Myron Floren almost looses his voice at the beginning. Did he know the truth? Had he been toking backstage himself? If anybody had told Welk what a 'toke" was, ahead of time, he wouldn't have allowed the song to be performed. He found out later on, much to his embarrassment, and was more careful to have someone check all lyrics of outside material from then-on. * The only reason why I saw this show was that I had became familiar with Welk's show from visiting my grandmother (my dad's mom) on Sunday evenings when we visited her. She was a huge Welk fan and watched him every week, with the volume on her TV set turned up to rock-concert levels, cuz she was hard of hearing by then, but refused to use a hearing aid. We'd sit and watch the show with her to keep her company for awhile. None of us ever toked as we watched the show, but we should have.

OMG this is just so hilarious; I hadn't seen it in years. I'm in tears here from laughing, at not only the video but all these hysterical comments. 👏I agree that the song was obviously chosen because it has "sweet Jesus" in it. I'm so glad this priceless gem is preserved here for posterity.

WHAT A WONDERFUL OLD HYMN - SUNG BY PENNYCOSTICS AND STONERS EVERYWHERE!

awunnerful, awunnerful, now let's listen as our lovely champagne lady norma zimmer performs her rendition of "eight miles high." an'-a-1 an'-a-2 . . .

That poor guy who announced them was about to die laughing.

There is a story about when Maybelle Carter heard this song, and liked it. She thought it was one 'toe'. When she was told it was 'toke', she asked her grandchildren what a toke was. When they told her, she laughed and laughed and laughed. Why people thought the Carter Family were innocent and dour is beyond me. ;)

And you just know the band were sitting there, desperately trying to keep a straight face the whole time.

Don't you see? This song had that "sound". Classic true country sound that crossed over. When a song is really good, it crosses over. It's awesome 😎👍

I grew up watching Welk with my grandma. This, this is absolutely fabulous. I just peed my pants laughing.

This song always reminds me of a time.. my buddy and I were way than one toke over the line, he had to catch a bus, so we're sittin in the shade up next to the bus station outside. Some old drunk was messin with us, and I couldn't stop laughing. More I laughed, the more the drunk messed with us. It just got hysterical to me. Finally the bus showed up and I bid my friend goodbye. I didn't see him again for many years. Oddly I was in need of a car part, a guy I knew said he knew a guy that might have one, so we went over there, the next town over like 7 miles away. The guy told me "this guy's kinda funny, he don't like people much, don't say too much." well lo and behold who comes out of the house, but my old friend. We talked a lot, as old friends that hadn't seen each other in a while tend to do, I asked about his sister and little brother, so on and so forth, yes he had the part I need and gave me a sweet deal on it. The guy I was with couldn't or wouldn't say a thing until on the way back. "How do you know that guy, I've never seen him sell anything that cheap before." "Oh we go way back and I mean way back. We used to run together." He just shook his head, still in a bit of disbief I guess.

Wow! Dick Dale went from being King of the Surf Guitar to singing in a folk duo. The man's talents never cease to amaze me.

I love how Lawrence called it "a modern spiritual".lol. Unfortunately, this was their last year on ABC before they would go into first run syndication. It really would be funny if the one of the singers began singing "White Rabbit" or "Mother's Little Helper".

It's got "Jesus" in it. That makes it a "spiritual." OMG LOL

0:04 Myron Floren with "One Choke Over the Line". Wunnerful!

One toke? You poor fool. Wait'll you see those goddamn bats!!

This is one of the top 3 most awesome things I have ever seen.

To me, the greatest tragedy about all of this is the fact that the people who would typically have been listening to this song would NEVER have watched "The Lawrence Welk Show," so they all missed out on the biggest laugh of their lives, unless they're finding it now, right here on YT!

I'm sure the singers were clueless. Bet the musicians were hysterical.

Who could possibly give this thumbs down? 🤣😂🤣😂 It's hysterical

There is actually a verse Missing and it goes "I sail away a country mile And now I'm returning and showing off my smile I met all the girls and I loved myself a few And to my surprise Like everything else I've been through It opened up my eyes"

This is so surreal, It's like hearing Pat Boone covering Nine Inch Nails' "Closer."

I'm 72 , I've never seen this before. But my grandparents watched the show religiously every Saturday night. I'm sure they know what it was about!

My grandparents never missed an episode. I have no doubt this song went right over their heads... as it obviously did with Lawrence Welk. 😂😂😂 So sweet that they were that old... and yet still so naive. 💕☺

Who knew that Raggedy Ann and that server from Baskin Robbins got high?

I am so old I remember this show and the actual song ... To see this is freaking hysterical.. Good ol' wholesome Lawrence Welk

That was a real toe tapper, that one. Thank you boys and a thank you boys.

'a modern spiritual". Good one Larry.

This is the definition of SURREAL.

This is the most wholesome thing I've seen in a long time.

I just got out of the hospital, and watching this video, I came way too close to busting my stitches. Truth is, this is actually a great country song, and Gail probably thinks she can turn it into gospel. Brewer & Shipley must be smiling today, too.

Fucking hilarious. Just what I needed today.

As a little girl, I loved all the bubbles, flouncy dresses, Lennon Sisters, accordians & tap dancers. Sing Along with Mitch was also a favorite. But with much older sibs I also became enamoured with folk music, then added in rock & roll and pop. So I had stopped watching LW by this time and I still have the Brewer & Shipley album. Thanks for sharing!

Saw 'lawrence welk one toke" come up on search. Naaaw cant be.... aw shit it sure is! Best welk performance yet!!!! 😂

i bet lawrence had no idea what this song meant! this is like a SNL parody!!

Oh, dear lord. LW, Myron and the Lennons. The bane of my youthful existence. There is absolutely no way they knew what this was about. My sister and I played it all the time. Parents didn't have a clue (half the fun) and were happy we were listening to songs about Jesus (the other half). They never did figure out why the garage smelled funny 😂☮😂

4-20-2020 coronavirus pandemic lockdown playlist~ Thank YOU for this on 4-20! and EVERYDAY!

I remember when this was on. We laughed and knew they didn't know what they were singing about. It's still hilarious!

The "don't you know that we're-a" at the 1:47 mark made me laugh so hard. A friend and I try to jam a "don't you know it's a..." into every song we hear.

2:11 "Get your left hand off my tit, you creep" Seriously though - my grandparents on my Mom's side were big LW fans. Back in the day I remember thinking how corny the show was and that I had to leave the room to stop myself from laughing at it. Right now though, I'd give my eyeteeth for one more hour with them, even if we were watching Lawrence Welk.

This was the gateway performance that introduced so many of us toddlers of the 60’s to drugs. Thanks a lot, LW....I’ll always blame you for those lost decades on heroin, meth, and crack. Half my 3rd grade class OD’ed at recess once.

Such a gem. Glad that the stuffy older Generations didn't get what the song was about. Otherwise we would never have had this version. Thank you Gayle and Dale. Honestly, I thought this was a fake.......

My long deceased Grandparents loved this show. I think of them every time I see it on TV, or in this case, the interweb. . Personally, the The Midnight Special was more to my liking.

Accordion guy at the beginning was hip. You can see him trying not to laugh, like "oh, we're putting one over on ol' Larry, BIG time..."

Lord, this is hilarious knowing what I know about the song now. 🤣🤣

The guy introducing gail and dale, he's hip. He knows what this tune is really about. 😄

(The following week, in a meeting with Lawrence and the production team): "What songs shall we include in this week's show, Mr. Welk?" "Our 'modern song' was a big hit with the audience last night. We should do another one for them!" "Yes, completely agree. I heard this song on the radio I think they'd really love!" "Do you know the title?" "Yes! It's called 'Mother's Little Helper'. With kids getting so rebellious these days, it's so refreshing to hear songs like this!" "You're so right. Great idea! Call the, uh ....?" "Rolling Stones, sir!" "Yes, I hope they won't mind Dick and Gail doing a special version of it. Maybe we can even get Myron to play along on his accordion !"

This is so hilarious. My dad watched Lawrence Welk every Saturday. I would have died laughing if I had heard this while my dad was watching!

I remember the guitar and tambourine group playing this song when it first came out for Catholic folk mass at my childhood church. Wow. Big lesson in not using words you don't know. 😅

This is absolutely sublime.

Glad I finally found this. I used to try to imagine them singing Pink Floyd's "Time" on Lawrence Welk, but this is even better. All kidding aside, they actually sing it very well, but it's hard to believe how clueless some people were about that song. A modern spiritual?!

Is there a clip where Roger Whitaker covers Eric Clapton’s “Cocaine”

Holy smokes! :O

Obvious irony does not negate a terrific arrangement. Thanks for getting this one out of the closet and dusting it off. 🎶🚬

Such a nice, wholesome song.🤤

I still laugh watching this, especially when I think about watching it about watching it that first time with my grandparents, aunts and two minister unclescan my folks. I and my cousin's thought we might explode of laughter.

Very funny. Thanks for the smiles!

I showed this video to my parents who were in their late 80's at the time both thought it was a wonderful rendition of gospel music and got quite upset when they couldn't explain what the song was actually about when I told them.

One-third of the time I'm laughing that a drug song was on Lawrence Welk. One-third of the time I'm saying, "They do a pretty good job with it actually." And one-third of the time I'm thinking, "Damn, Gail Farrell is cute."

Tank you very much...tank you, tank you... My mother used to make me watch this show show back in the day...I HATED IT ... 😂😂😂

Next we have Phyllis and Blanche singing "Push it", a wonderful song about childbirth followed by the Chet OckSmorkenTotson quartet with their rendition of "Afternoon Delight" a lovely song about the simple joy of fireworks

Amazingly enjoyable their voices and presence. 5 stars

This is probably my 100th time watching this and it is just as funny as the first time I watched it. I cannot believe that this was allowed to make it on the Lawrence Welk show. I am literally laughing my ass off.

Oh my. A modern spiritual...! Now I think I've seen everything, thank you for posting this!!!

I was watching the Country Music film by Ken Burns and I was laughing when Carlene Carter said the her grandmother, Mother Maybelle Carter, wanted to learn this song because she thought it was a gospel song. She also commented that she and her siblings or cousins asked if she knew what that song was about and her grandmother was insistent it was a gospel song, LOL.

What a feckin gem , great find thank you .

I wonder how many little old ladies were at home singing One Toke Over the Line after this broadcast. Lol