Lyr Add: The Magic of the Dollar

Subject: Lyr Add: THE MAGIC OF THE DOLLAR
From: Ged Fox
Date: 17 Dec 15 - 07:14 AM

The "Nobody knows when you're down and out" thread set me looking for a song/recitation that my aunt used to say in the 1950s. It included the lines "Isn't it very funny, When you've got no money All your friends do fly from you, When you haven't got a sou..."
I could not find any information on that, but I did come across "The Magic of the Dollar" as published in the Goldsboro Headlight in 1903.

It seemed too good to waste, so I've sung it using the tune of "Home! Sweet Home!" that would still have been extremely popular in 1903.
"The Magic of the Dollar" to "Home Sweet Home"

With a dollar in your pocket
You may hold your head on high.
Just as though you owned the village
And the countryside hard by;
Like a man who has a coal mine,
Or who lets a farm on rent.
But you take a mighty tumble
When you haven't got a cent.

With a dollar in your pocket
You can look men in the eye.
Step around like great Lord Pickax
When it comes your turn to buy.
Only crook your little finger
And the waiter flies to you.
But things take a different aspect
When you haven't got a sou.

Though it is the root of evil.
Cause of trouble, source of woes.
Money comes in mighty handy
To have round your Sunday clothes.
If you have the bright spondulix
You're the cheese beyond a doubt.
But you're little Willie No-one
When your money has run out.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Magic of the Dollar
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 17 Dec 15 - 09:35 PM

THANK YOU...nice contribution.

Interesting use/contrast of dollar and sou.

The tune you use certainly works and appropriate.

Sincerly,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Magic of the Dollar
From: Ged Fox
Date: 18 Dec 15 - 03:39 AM

Thanks very much.
The quest is still on for my aunt's song/poem, so any Mudcatter info or recollections would be appreciated.