Hmmmm. You'd think that would be an easy one, but I can't find an answer immediately. I have to conclude that the songwriter is "unknown." The Traditional Ballad Index claims the songwriter was Bill Cox. Songs America Voted By (Irwin Silber, 1971) says Bill Cox recorded the song, but does not identify the songwriter. The New Lost City Ramblers Songbook says it is from Bill Cox, not by Bill Cox. The Cox recording was released on the Okeh label just after the 1936 election.
Here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry on the song.
The usual licensing agency in the US is the Harry Fox Agency, and it does not have a listing for the song.
Franklin D. Roosevelt's Back Again
DESCRIPTION: "Just hand me my old Martin, for soon I will be startin... Since Roosevelt's been re-elected, we'll not be neglected." Singer praises Roosevelt's re-election, celebrates legal liquor and the end of moonshine, and returning prosperity.
AUTHOR: Bill Cox
EARLIEST DATE: 1936 (recording, Bill Cox and Cliff Hobbs)
KEYWORDS: drink hardtimes nonballad political
HISTORICAL REFERENCES:
1933-1945 - Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt
FOUND IN:
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Cohen/Seeger/Wood, pp. 230-231, "Franklin D. Roosevelt's Back Again" (1 text, 1 tune)
Silber-FSWB, p. 287, "Franklin D. Roosevelt's Back Again" (1 text)
DT, FDRBACK*
RECORDINGS:
Bill Cox, "Franklin D. Roosevelt's Back Again" (Melotone 07-02-61/Oriole 07-02-61, 1937; OKeh 05896 [as Bill Cox & Cliff Hobbs], 1940; 1940; rec. 1936)
New Lost City Ramblers, "Franklin Roosevelt's Back Again" (on NCLR09, AmHist2, NLCRCD1)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The Democratic Donkey is Back In His Stall" (subject matter)
ALTERNATE TITLES:
We've Got Franklin Delano Roosevelt Back Again
Notes: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, an anti-Prohibition Democrat, was elected to his second of four terms in 1936, carrying all but two states. - PJS
As poetry, this is about as bad as a song can get. But as a reflection of the attitude of its time, it is obviously highly accurate. - RBW
"As poetry, this is about as bad as a song can get." Oh yeah? Ever listen to "MacArthur Park"? - PJS
No, I haven't. Sounds like I should be glad.... - RBW
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