Positive songs about lawyers & judges

Subject: Positive songs about
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 01:58 PM

Well, I can't put the punchline in the title.

But for decades I've been trying to find any folk songs (yes I mean folk songs) in which the lawyer or judge is something other than evil or foolish.

Now is some fundamentalist going to get off on that too?

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: Amergin
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 02:07 PM

there are no good lawyers....

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 02:17 PM

"Anyone who claims otherwise is just plain wrong...hg"

Mildly miffed.RB

I like to think I am a good lawyer in both senses. Indeed sometimes in all 6.

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 02:36 PM

I know a few songs where judges aren't exactly portrayed as foolish or bad; but they are comic songs and the decisions handed down are humourous.

Lawyers I am afraid have a bad rep; and the good ones suffer for the sins of the bad.

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 03:00 PM

You might find positive songs about particular people who just happened to be lawyers, such as Abraham Lincoln or Daniel O'Connell, but maybe that doesn't count.

Trial by Jury has the song "he is a judge and a good judge too" - but once again that doesn't count, because he isn't.

The only song I can think of with a "judge" as hero in his role as judge is "Roy Bean" - but since he was a psychopathic killer, maybe that doesn't count either.

You'd really need to have a lawyer or a judge who upheld the law in the face of adversity, and suffered for it. There've been a few of them though - maybe there are Italian ballads about judges who've been murdered by the Mafia?

And I'd be surprised if there are no songs from Ireland about the murdered lawyers Pat Finucane or Rosemary Nelson.

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: LadyJean
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 11:26 PM

My great grandfather, both my grandfathers, and my father, were all lawyers, as were great-great uncle Harry, Cousin Miriam, and great uncle William B. McFall. When my sister graduated from law school, our mother cried. My sister gave up trial work because she was, "sick of dealing with jerks".
The only one of the lot who was dishonest was Harry, who cheated great grandfather. My father DID NOT LIE! Which could be aggravating at times.
Now, as to songs, Clam Chowder sings a charming song about two lawyers. Try that. There's always "Njal the Lawyer's Saga".

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: clueless don
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 08:33 AM

I'm working from memory here, so might err. But I seem to recall that one of the recitations on Kevin Henry's "One's Own Place" CD at least depicts a judge "doing the right thing." A young woman is accused of stealing, and did apparently steal, but the judge let's her off after she describes the circumstances.

Of course, that isn't a song.

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: Wolfgang
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 03:23 PM

old thread: Songs about lawyers

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 03:35 PM

I think he is being sarcastic, but in the moonshine can...the magistrate is called his friend. and he says St. Peter then will greet him and the gates they will unlock, saying come right in good magistrate and welcome to the flock..

I don't really know the song but Ian and Sylvia sang it...I suspect it is from Newfoundland but don't know for sure....Newfoundlanders sang it anyway and I think they are referring to Bauline but I am not sure..

I'd like to know how moonshine's made the magistrate did say..from yeastcake and molasses sure that's the proper way..from yeastcake and molasses sure that's the cutest plan..the magistrate was happy then he took my moonshine can...mg

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: PoppaGator
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 03:45 PM

I can't think of a song, either, but the play "A Man for All Seasons," about lawyer Thomas More (my baptismal namesake and patron saint) is a very positive depiction of a lawyer. Perhaps the only such work in dramatic, musical and all other literature (?)

Tom H

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: curmudgeon
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 04:34 PM

In "The Butcher and the Chambermaid" the judge rules for the chambermaid in a paternity case.

Unto the judge she made him go, who happened to live near;
It cost him nigh on a hundred pound before he coud get clear.

I'm sure there must be one or two others - Tom

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 07:38 PM

I know a couple of good lawyers, one id 1/3 of Woodchucks Revenge.

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 07:49 PM

Too Many Parties And Too Many Pals - a tearjerker about a judge whose own daughter has come before him.

Boston Burglar:
"The jury found me guilty; the clerk he wrote it down.
The judge then passed the sentence
I was sent to Charlestown."

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: curmudgeon
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 07:57 PM

To Kendall's post I must add old friend John Perrault, singer-songwriter-attorney. I apprised him of the existence of Mudcat a fortnight past; maybe seeing his name here might provoke a response - Tom

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: harpgirl
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 09:39 PM

my song is positive:


The Downieville Nugget by harpgirl

Come gather round people I've a story to tell
About a gambler from Reno that I know so well
In a card game in Reno he bragged he could steal
A nugget of gold in old Downieville

Eleven pounds weighed that nugget
Makin Downieville's name
A subject of interest
In a thousand card games

Then a bushwhacker challenged him
To show proof of his claim
Bring the Downieville Nugget
Back here to this game

Oh a gambler loves a challenge
He lives for a thrill
No woman could hold him
With a dare to fulfill

He rode into our city that very next day
And from his bold purpose he could not be swayed
Down into the valley in the old mining town
Tin roofs on the houses shown bright in the sun

We met by the river and he spun his bold tale
He thrilled me with stories till tremblin I fell
Oh a gambler is charmin I fear that I'm right
He takes what he wishes don't put up a fight

He saw that huge nugget in the old courthouse safe
In Judge Downie's chambers that very same night

He showed back in Reno
One week to the day
Smilin a wide smile the bushwhackers say

Boys I didn't get it, I lied for the thrill
But I got me a lady in old Downieville
I'm gonna get rich boys and straight way go round
To stake my claim on that lady I found

Well the boys had their laugh
But the gambler laughed to
Sayin deal me a hand boys I've gamblin to do

Next spring he went a courtin in Downieville town
It was Judge Downie's daughter
Who finally came round

He married her proper where they met by the shore
Laughin and lovin e'r after and more
Oh a gambler loves a challenge I know awfully well
I'm the old judges's daughter
A gambler myself

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: pattyClink
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 03:24 PM

Moses Ri-too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 05:11 PM

As Bessie Smith sang: "Judge, judge, good kind judge, send me to the electric chair"

And I'm sure we are meant to take it that the good kind judge obliged the lady.

Subject: RE: Positive songs about
From: Amergin
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 05:24 PM

philadelphia lawyer....