On the Fourth of July, the politicians say, "Vote for us and we'll raise your pay." Get thee behind me, Satan, Travel on down the line line, I am a union man, Gonna leave you behind. From "Get Thee Behind Me, Satan" Words & music by the Almanac Singers © 1941 Note that "America" was first sung July 4, 1831, in Boston. There are a number of pretty good Revolutionary War songs that are almost never sung today - JP Jones as above but also "Irishman's Epistle," "The Riflemen of Bennington," "Revolutionary Tea," etc. These are somewhat more satisfying to me, personally than "Green Berets" or "Hurrah for Our Boys in Iraq." There are also a number of not patriotic songs that just mention July 4th or in which the action takes place then - eg, Erie Canal was begun 7/4/1817; The _Marco Polo_ of the Black Ball Line (ie, the 3rd Black Ball Line) sailed on July 4th 1852 under Captain "Bully" Forbes; It was on the fourth of July, me boys That we had a noble dam Off between the islands there As you will understand. There were brigs and ships and schooners Their masters all dandy men We all dined on board the brig, _Traveler_ Joseph Warren in command. From "Come All You Noble Colored Tars"; A trip down to Bangor, the Fourth of July, To make my connection with a train I did try. The train it being late, as you all will know soon, I was forced to take a trip to the Red Light Saloon From "The Red Light Saloon," WM Doerflinger _Songs of the Sailor and Lumberman_, p249 Oh, the pigeon, Is a city bird, And she poo-poos, As she flies. And she drops those, Birdy turdies, From way up, In the sky. © Stephen L. Suffet 2000 Wait - there's something astray with those words...'twas supposed to be about a cuckoo. Etc.
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