Lyr Add: Retalitory Eviction Ditty

Subject: Retalitory Eviction Ditty
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 01:38 PM

Retalitory eviction is an illegal act by a landlord or his agent to deprive a tenant of the full use of his rental space in response to the tenant's complaint about substandard living conditions; examples include utility cut-offs, changing locks, and other self-help acts.

RETALITORY EVICTION DITTY

(Written by Dale Cohen and Hugh McGuinness, two Ann Arbor tenant organizers, in 1979; As adapted by Charles Ipcar, 1981 Tune: traditional Mr. Noah)

Oh, Mr. Landlord!
Oh, Mr. Landlord!
Can you fix the roof,
'Cause it leaks real bad?
I'm getting mighty wet
And getting mighty mad!

Chorus:

Doodle-ee-doo, doodle-ee-doo,
Doodle-ee, doodle-ee, doodle-ee, doodle-ee-do!

Oh, no, I can't, sir;
Oh, no I can't, sir;
I can't fix the leak'
'Cause I haven't got the time;
Just use a bucket;
It won't cost me a dime. (CHO)

Well, go to the Devil, sir!
Well, go to the Devil, sir!
I'll call the inspector
And withhold my rent;
I may get wet
But you won't get a cent. (CHO)

Now, young fella,
Now, young fella,
That's all damn bluff;
I don't like such sass;
If you don't pay the rent,
You'll be out on your ass! (CHO)

The above parody is another example of recent housing and neighborhood organizing songs I've collected over the past 30 years and which will hopefully be published soon in The Pity The Downtrodden Landlord Songbook. We're still open to other contributions.

Landlady's Daughter, not to be confused with Charley Noble et al

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Retalitory Eviction Ditty
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 02:30 PM

Another great one, LD! I'm sure Peg will enjoy it, if she comes in here.

BTW, did you know that you can have your own Mudcat membership and cookie, on the same computer as Charley Noble et al? All you have to do is join as Landlady's Daughter, or whatever you choose, with a passwrod of your choice, and when you want to log in as youself, just go to the Quick Links, choose Reset Cookie, and follow the steps. Just FYI.:-)

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Retalitory Eviction Ditty
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 03:53 PM

I didn't dare post this in Peg's thread – too soon to laugh. I wonder how she's doing?

Thanks, Kat, for the advice on initiating an alternative cookie. Maybe I will. This is so boring to sign off:

Landlady's Daughter, not to be confused with Charley Noble et al

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Retalitory Eviction Ditty
From: dwditty
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 04:10 PM

Whew, thought I was in real trouble here.

DW

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Retalitory Eviction Ditty
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 04:18 PM

Refreshing #1!