Songs of Political Misdeeds

Subject: Lyr Add: LITTLE TIN BOX (Harnick/Bock)
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 06:51 PM

In light of the current New York political catastrophe, I recall this song from the very first Broadway Musical I ever saw - "Fiorello." The play was done in the 1950's and was a commentary on the politics of the twenties, particularly related to the crusading Fiorello LaGuardia. It still resonates today. Others?

LITTLE TIN BOX
Words by Sheldon Harnick, music by Jerry Bock, ©1959.

Mr. X, may we ask you a question?
It's amazing, is it not,
That the city pays you slightly less than fifty bucks a week,
Yet you've purchased a private yacht?

I am positive your Honor must be joking!
Any working man can do what I have done.
For a month or two I simply gave up smoking,
And I put my extra pennies one by one

Into a little tin box,
A little tin box
That a little tin key unlocks.
There is nothing unorthodox
About a little tin box.
In a little tin box.
A little tin box
That a little tin key unlocks.
There is honor and purity,
Lots of security,
In a little tin box.

Mr. Y, we've been told you don't feel well,
And we know you've lost your voice,
But we wonder how you managed on the salary you make
To acquire a new Rolls-Royce.

You're implyin' I'm a crook and I say no, sir!
There is nothin' in my past I care to hide.
I been takin' empty bottles to the grocer
And each nickel that I got was put aside
(That he got was put aside)

Into a little tin box,
A little tin box
That a little tin key unlocks.
There is nothing unorthodox
About a little tin box.
In a little tin box,
A little tin box
There's a cushion for life's rude shocks.
There is faith, hope and charity,
Hard-won prosperity,
In a little tin box.

Mr. Z, you're a junior official
And your income's rather low,
Yet you've kept a dozen women in the very best hotels,
Would you kindly explain how so?

I can see your Honor doesn't pull his punches,
And it looks a trifle fishy, I'll admit.
But for one whole week I went without my lunches,
And it mounted up, your Honor, bit by bit.
(Up your Honor, bit by bit.)

It's just a little tin box,
A little tin box
That a little tin key unlocks.
There is nothing unorthodox
About a little tin box.
In a little tin box,
A little tin box
All a-glitter with blue-chip stocks.
There is something delectable,
Almost respectable,
In a little tin box,
In a little tin box.

Subject: RE: Songs of Political Misdeeds
From: Joe_F
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 08:39 PM

"Up your honor, bit by bit."
Naughty!

Subject: RE: Songs of Political Misdeeds
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 09:05 PM

"Billy Sol Estes" comes to mind.

Subject: RE: Songs of Political Misdeeds
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 14 Mar 08 - 01:49 PM

Howard Da Silva, who sang the lead inHoward Da Si the group that originated "Little Tin Box" in the show "Fiorello" has a fine CD called "Politics and Poker" on the Smithsonian-Folkways label.Tracklist is:

Politics and Poker         
Wilson, That's All         
Jefferson and Liberty         
Row, Row, Row with Roosevelt         
Tilden and Reform         
White House Blues         
President Hoover March         
Little Tin Box         Howard Da Silva
Get on the Raft with Taft         
Lincoln and Liberty         
Do, Do, Do with Dewey         
Tippecanoe and Tyler Too         
Keep Cool and Keep Coolidge         
Grant-ed         
Vote for Me         
Politics and Poker (reprise)

available at CAMSCO, of course.