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Franz S. Lyr Req: I Like Ike (Joe Glazer)(& Irving Berlin) (10) Lyr Add: I LIKE IKE (Joe Glazer) 02 Nov 08


A quick scan of my copy of "Labor's Troubadour" comes up with a 1956 talking blues called "I Like Ike". Is this the one you mean?

I LIKE IKE (excerpts)
by Joe Glazer
(sung talking blues style)

Now, I Like Ike, he's a friendly guy,
When things go wrong he doesn't moan and sigh,
His cheery smile and wide-open grin
Help you forget the mess you might be in.

A pal of mine lost his job and his car
While Ike was golfing, shooting for par.
He couldn't find a job for days and days,
But for good old Ike he's got plenty of praise
he says--
I like Ike--I like that smile--makes me forget my troubles.

Now the government's big and it keep Ike busy.
He can't run it himself 'cause he'd get awful dizzy,
So he's got a lot of fellers kinda helping him out
While he's shooting a quail or catching a trout.

The number one helper in the whole shebang
Is a feller named Humphrey, the leader of the gang.
I don't mean Hubert, Minnesota's pride and joy--
I mean Trickle-Down George, the banker's boy.
George says WE gotta balance the budget--And when he says WE--
He means YOU--and ME-- but not HIM.

Now Trickle-Down George is in charge of the taxes,
He's he big man in the Washington-Wall Street axis.
He wouldn't cut the taxes for you and me.
He says that's "irresponsibility".
But for the big fat cats he swings his axe,
and biff bag woosh--down comes their tax--
But don't worry, brother--you'll pick up a couple of drops
After awhile--when she starts to trickle down.

There's another little helper that Ike has got,
Who's the very best-looking of the whole darn lot.
That's Mrs. Hobby, as sweet as she can be,
But how she ever got the job is a mystery to me.

The schools are jammed from the floor to the roof,
But Oveta Culp Hobby says, "That's no proof
That the school must have some government aid--
We've got to have another great big study made--GRADE BY GRADE."

Well, by then the children will be wearing long pants
And It'll be too late for them to get another chance.
That's Ike's secretary of very little Health--inadequate EDUCATION-- and not much WELFARE.
But I like Ike--I love that smile--makes you feel warm all over--

[Three more verses describe other cabinet members.]

There's one big helper we can't forget.
He's tricky Dick Nixon, Mr. Eisenhower's pet.
He's a fine-looking lad with a big sharp axe,
And he likes to plant it in other people's backs.

Now Dick sneaks around spreadin hate and fear,
Painting loyal Americans with a great big smear,
While Eisenhower smiles and says, "Dick's my boy,
He's the administration's pride and joy."
But I like Ike--love that smile--makes me feel so good.

Now I've told you all about the Eisenhower team.
The president holds them in the highest esteem.
They may pick your pockets and blacken your name,
And play you for a sucker in the give-away game,

But Eisenhower loves this motley crew
Which is doing such a job on me and you.
He says, "I'm with 'em--every single man,
They're backing my dynamic, conservative plan."
Yes, Ike's riding on the same old Republican track,
One step forward and two steps back--
But I like Ike--love that smile--crazy about that disposition,
Love that Ike.

(Words on pp. 115-116 of "Labor's Troubadour)

It seems pretty tied to the time, though you could substitute some more recent names. Glazer says he didn't do much campaign singing in 1952 but did a lot in 1956.

Does this fit your memory? If not, can you give me a few more clues?


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