On the June 1 edition of MSNBC's Hardball, host Chris Matthews began an interview with White House counselor Dan Bartlett, who had announced his resignation earlier that day, by singing: “For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow.” Bartlett responded: “Appreciate that.”

Washingtonpost.com columnist Dan Froomkin noted Matthews' singing in his White House Watch column.

From the 5 p.m. hour of the June 1 edition of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews:

MATTHEWS: Welcome back to Hardball. Dan Bartlett is counselor to President Bush. He has been with President Bush back since his first campaign for governor 14 years ago. Today, he announced he's stepping out into that cruel world known as the private sector.

MATTHEWS [singing]: For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow.

Dan, all these years --

BARTLETT: Appreciate that.

MATTHEWS: -- and months of trying to get me in to see the president, and I know you did your best. So, I forgive you.