Lyr. Add: Where Are You, Three Hundred Dollars?

Words W. Dexter Smith, Jr., Music by R. J. Lessur

Where are you, three hundred dollars?
I'm "hard up," I vow,
Never shall I need your greenbacks
More than I do now,
Oh! the dollars I have wasted
On all sorts of things;
If I had them now I reckon
Grief would soon take wings.

Chorus:
Where are you three hundred dollars?
Where are you I say,
They will sadly muss my collar
If I do not pay.

Yes, I've spent for balls and parties
Such a sum twice told,
Not such paper as we have now,
But good yellow gold!
Broadcloth coats and fancy waistcoats
Fare ye well, my dears,
For in future I can't wear you;
Good bye, cassimeres.

Farewell broadcloth, welcome shoddy,
With you on my back,
I must fight the hungry rebels,
Living on "hard tack."
If I cannot beg nor borrow
Such a small amount,
As three hundred little dollars;
They're of no account!

Where are all the boys I've treated
To ice-cream and pie,
Will they see a little fellow
Like me, go and die?
Though I'm well and able bodied
Yet I cannot fight.
Where are you three hundred dollars?
You would make it right.

During the Civil War, northern men could pay to avoid service. It was called "hiring someone to take their place." This song attempts to treat the condition lightly, but it was a very controversial matter.
Sung by R. Bishop Buckley (1816-1867), of Buckley's Serenaders. Sheet music published by G. D. Russell and Co., ca. 1863, Boston. In American Memory, at Brown Univ. Library, African-American sheet music, 1850-1920.
Three Hundred Dollars
(http://lcweb2.loc.gov/award/rpbaasm/0700/0734/073402r.jpg)