Joe, I found it! The little red songbook (29th Edition, 1956), (priced at 25 cents) was hiding on the shelf, down between authors beginning with "W"! The note on the back says, "The following revolutionary songs in sheet music form can be purchased in single copies for 25 cents and in lots of ten or more at the rate of 15 cents a copy.........." How's that for nostalgia? I bet the 1930 edition went for a nickle!

Note the colorful old-timey slang in this song. Does anybody know what that phrase "he tore his pants with me" meant? Anybody know what Revolution the song refers to at the end? It can't be just the New Deal!   

BOOM WENT THE BOOM

By "W.O. Blee" (Anon.)

I had a job in twenty-nine
When everything was going fine.
I knew the pace was pretty fast,
But thought that it would always last.
When organizers came to town
I'd always sneer and turn them down.
I thought the boss was my best friend
And he'd stick by me to the end.

Ta-ra-ra BOOM de ay!
Ain't got a word to say.
He chiseled down my pay,
Then took my job away!
Boom went the boom one day,
It made a noise that way
I wish I had been wise,
Next time I'll organize.

I had a little bank account,
Not very much, a small amount,
Which to the savings bank I took
And all they gave me was a book.
I pinched on food, I scraped on rent,
Hardly ever spent a cent.
My little savings grew and grew,
I thought I'd be a big shot, too.

Ta-ra-ra BOOM de ay!
It made a noise that way,
There went my hard-earned pay,
Saved for a rainy day.
I must have been a wick,
This soup-line makes me sick.
Where can that banker be?
He tore his pants with me.

Then finally it came to pass
All I had to eat was grass.
The wolf don't bother any more–
He starved to death right by my door.
With soup and gas and club and gun
They tried to make the system run.
They said, "Dear friends, now don't get sore,
We'll make it like it was before."

Ta-ra-ra BOOM de ay!
It busted up one day,
Those guys that stole my pay
Went flying every way.
All that I've got to say,
I hope they've gone to stay;
Each dog must have his day –
Ta-ra-ra BOOM- dee-ay!