Sinsull,

The cigarette reference in Harry McClintock's famous song, from about 1928 (surprisingly pre-depression) and the acceptance of outrageous attitudes of Huck's world both reflect badges of innocence now taken for granted as archaic and wrong.

Replacing innocence with knowledge, though always painful, makes people more capable of understanding "yet to be conquered" behavior that turn out to be just as valuable socially; just not at that time. We still have, of course, both cigarettes and racism, and can't stamp out either, but appreciating how social processes work over time may yield clues to the future of such issues.

Most interesting is how commonly both are noted as being appropriate for children.

I checked Harry's lyrics and as the ones in the DT, and didn't see the verse that ends with "and you won't need any money".

Does anyone remember that?

I lost track of it. I had supposed it to be a subtle pitch for socialism (quite politically popular at that time), but wanted to see if it could also be read as a caution to smokers.

Bob P