Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: voyager Date: 08 Oct 08 - 04:30 PM Alas.... An attempt to revive this thread every four years has fallen on hard times. Mehthinks the only song worthy of Campaign 2008 comes from that heralded American Folk Group - Led Zeppelin.... 'The Song Remains the Same'. voyager |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-2008)? From: voyager Date: 22 Feb 08 - 10:08 AM Time to start 'resining up the bow', eh? voyager |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-2004)?? From: voyager Date: 20 Sep 04 - 11:56 AM Every 4 years I like to see this thread get some attention. Mostly because I enjoy the Oscar Brand CD so much.... AND...without a campaign song, candidates should be disqualified from running (IMHO). OK...so I'll start with GWB - My vote is "Beer for the Horses" by Toby Keith But seriously folks, can anyone imagine these media darlings as having an honest-to-goodness campaign song behind them. Like Nader....fuggetaboutit. Kerry....some John Mellancamp ditty and W..... OK....this thread is alive. voyager |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: M. Ted (inactive) Date: 02 Nov 00 - 10:48 PM Voyager-- The home of Franklin Pierce--you didn't happen to see the CSPAN Presidents feature on Pierce, did you? He was a very interesting person, intelligent, likeable, a patron of the arts, and friend to Hawthorne, and yet died a pariah--He was handsome, charming, and much loved when he was elected, and by the time he left office, he was almost the most hated man in America--Who says you can't learn anything from TV? |
Subject: Lyr Add: IF HE'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR LINDY From: dick greenhaus Date: 02 Nov 00 - 10:45 AM IF HE'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR LINDY
Charles Lindbergh flew his plane
cho: If he's good enough for Lindy, he's good enough for me
Charles Lindbergh flew his plane to France
Now you all remember Hoover @politics @president @campaign filename[ GOODLIND play.exe~GOODLIND RG Oct00
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Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Kim C Date: 01 Nov 00 - 09:50 AM I know little about Hunters of Kentucky, but its tune, the 8th Of January, we have already explored in several other threads - it was written to commemmorate Jackson's victory over the British at the Battle of NEw Orleans, January 8, 1815. The Lester S. Levy Collection of historic sheet music has a bunch of presidential campaign songs. I'm sorry I don't know the URL but if you search for "Lester S. Levy" you will find it right off. :) |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: voyager Date: 01 Nov 00 - 08:30 AM Here's an update on the Music Behind the Candidates By my way of handicapping the tone of this election, I'm afraid Dubya has surged into the populist musical lead - Title - "We the People" Candidate - GW Bush http://www.heavytruck.com/hdt/newsarch.html#000803.5648 Title - "Al Gore Song" Candidate - Guess Who http://artists.mp3s.com/artist_song/834/834610.html NOTE: this unofficial campaign song replaces 2 previous campaign remarks - March 2000 - 'we ain't got no song' August 2000 - 'You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet' (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) September 2000 - 'You Can Call Me Al' Title - Unknown Candidate - Nader Lyric 'Put on you old green bonnet, the one with Nader on it....." NOTE: sung by a Green Party volunteer at local street festival. Title - Candidate - Buchanan NOTE: fuggetaboutit voyager FSGW Ghetto |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: voyager Date: 16 Aug 00 - 01:30 PM Glad to see this thread back in play..... Couple of comments seem relevant.... 1. MUDCAT Mass Mailing - I for one believe that the current Gush/Bore P-residential Can-pains should be invalidated for not providing official Theme Songs for this year's election. Given the historical precedents of the last 42 office-holders, a Can-pain song is a requirement. WRITE YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER! 2. Re: FRANKLIN PIERCE (& locofocos) the rousing chorus for The Old Granite State rang true - We're a band of locos, we're a band of locos, We're a band of locos & we'll shout with Pierce & King 3. Mudcat Message Editors !!!(now this is serious) How the heck can I post a note to this conference without the text extending beyond normal carriage returns?? voyager FSGW Ghetto East Silver Spring, MD |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: voyager Date: 16 Aug 00 - 01:21 PM |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Jacob B Date: 16 Aug 00 - 09:46 AM LEJ, as far as I can tell, it was the Democratic Party, in 1834. Here's a link to a dictionary entry for locofoco, which has a bit of information about it. Jacob |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Joe Offer Date: 16 Aug 00 - 03:16 AM Hey, I was looking for something else at the Levy Sheet Music site, and I came across this gem: B-I-Double-L Bill (Bill Taft, that is). In fact, if you search for "campaign" at (click) you'll find 117 songs. Sha-ZAM!!! -Joe Offer- |
Subject: Lyr Add: WE'VE GOT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT...^^^ From: Lonesome EJ Date: 16 Aug 00 - 01:54 AM WE'VE GOT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT BACK AGAIN Just hand me my old Martin, For soon I will be startin' Back to dear old Charleston far away. Since Roosevelt's been re-elected, We'll not be neglected. We've got Franklin D. Roosevelt back again. Back again, back again, We've got Franklin D. Roosevelt back again. Since Roosevelt's been re-elected, Moon liquor's been corrected. We've got legal wine, whiskey, beer and gin. I'll take a drink of brandy And let myself be handy. Good old times are coming back again. You can laugh and tell a joke. You can dance and drink and smoke. We've got Franklin D. Roosevelt back again. Back again, back again, We've got Franklin D. Roosevelt back again. We'll have money in our jeans. We can travel with the queen. We've got Franklin D. Roosevelt back again. No more breadlines, we're happy to say. The donkey won election day. No more standing in the blowing, snowing rain. He's got things in full swing, We're all working and getting our pay. We've got Franklin D. Roosevelt back again. Back again, back again, We've got Franklin D. Roosevelt back again. Since Roosevelt's been re-elected, Moon liquor's been corrected. We've got Franklin D. Roosevelt back again. @political Recorded by Bill Cox in 1936 one week after the election Also recorded by New Lost City Ramblers Not exactly a campaign song, but a dandy anyway. I like the line about moon liquor being corrected. |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: WyoWoman Date: 16 Aug 00 - 12:48 AM Si Kahn has a great song on his "New Wood" CD:
Talking Politican ww |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Lonesome EJ Date: 15 Aug 00 - 10:11 PM Jacob....I thought the Locofocos was the original name for the Whig party. I do know that Locofocos were a brand of safety match. This off-shoot party was meeting in a hotel owned by a political rival who shut off the gaslights when he found out what they were up to. They continued their meeting with the aid of a box of Locofocos. |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Irish sergeant Date: 15 Aug 00 - 08:58 PM You are indeed right about Lincoln and Liberty. The term sucker as used in this context denotes someone from the state of Illinois. (Just as Hoosierdom is a term for Indiana. Hoosier being the nickname for people from that state.0 And Paddymac, you're right about the tune it does come from Rosin the Beau. Kindest reguards, Neil |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Rex Date: 15 Aug 00 - 01:49 PM Well I thought "Hunters of Kentucky" was for Andrew Jackson. Rex |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Jacob B Date: 07 Aug 00 - 10:10 AM The term "Locos" in the Franklin Pierce song at the top of the thread undoubtedly is a shortening of "locofocos." This was a nickname for Democrats at one time. Here's a pseudo-campaign song from an editorial cartoon several years ago:
Born on a mountain top in Kansas state |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: gillymor Date: 06 Aug 00 - 12:23 PM ...should read Great Emancipator. My favorite prez, even if he was a #%$&*! Republican. |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: gillymor Date: 06 Aug 00 - 11:46 AM Thanks for posting the lyrics to Lincoln and Liberty, LEJ. Ronnie Gilbert, formerly of the Weavers, sings a wonderful, rowsing version along with Jay Ungar and co. on Ken Burns Songs of the Civil War to the tune of Rosin the Beau. Interestingly, the Great Liberator later suspended the writ of Habeus Corpus. Frankie |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Lonesome EJ Date: 05 Aug 00 - 09:30 PM Shanti...since Jefferson was running against his arch-rival Adams, one wonders if "the gloomy night" refers to the British oppression, or to Adams' presidency. Adams,like Washington,was a strong federalist of the Hamilton school,believing in a centralized government and the leadership of the educated elite. Jefferson was a professed believer in the power of the common man, and was a supporter of States Rights. |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Shanti Date: 05 Aug 00 - 09:08 PM And the ever popular--Jefferson and Liberty The gloomy night before us flies Its reign of terror now is o'er Its gags, inquisitors and spies Its herds of harpies are no more. Rejoice Columbia's sons rejoice To tyrants never bend the knee But join with heart and soul and voice For Jefferson and Liberty! And that's only the first verse! |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Lonesome EJ Date: 05 Aug 00 - 01:46 PM Sourdough, great research. I wonder if the term is still used in that area at all. Sorcha, I think you are right about "Rosin the Bow" for the Lincoln tune. Reagan also attempted to co-opt Springsteen's Born in the USA over Bruce's objections. What's the matter...no Republicans writing good songs?
There was an anti-Cleveland song that went |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Mbo Date: 05 Aug 00 - 01:28 PM Ronald Reagan wanted to use "Pink Houses" by John Mellencamp as his campaign song. John refused to let him. Good song anyway. Me & my sister love it! --Matt |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Sorcha Date: 05 Aug 00 - 12:44 PM LEJ, is the tune to your words, "Rosin the Beau/Bow"? Seems to fit. |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Sourdough Date: 05 Aug 00 - 11:19 AM About sucker: I've wondered about that myself so the qetion today sent me to the OED. "b. U.S. An inhabitant of the state of Illinois. For the alleged origin of the term see quot. 1833. "1833 C. F. Hoffman Winter in Far West (1835) I. 207 There was a long-haired 'hooshier' from Indiana, a couple of smart-looking 'suckers' from the southern part of Illinois, a keen-eyed leather-belted 'badger' from the mines of Ouisconsin. [note, So called after the fish of that name, from his going up the river to the mines, and returning at the season when the sucker makes its migrations]." It really isn't clear but I think it means that the Illinois suckers got there name from the migratory habits of the fish called suckers.
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Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: GUEST,guest Date: 05 Aug 00 - 10:02 AM Typing "president" in the DT search box brings up a good list with several campaign songs... |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Peter Kasin Date: 05 Aug 00 - 01:34 AM There was Frank Sinatra singing High Hopes for the JFK campaign. |
Subject: Lyr Add: LINCOLN AND LIBERTY^^^ From: Lonesome EJ Date: 04 Aug 00 - 08:48 PM This thread started last year, but petered out fairly quick. I heard Oscar Brand on TV not long ago, and was intrigued by these songs. He said that the Bush Campaign of '88 had used Woody's This Land is Your Land, which I believe Mr Guthrie would have found very interesting. This is one of my favorites
LINCOLN AND LIBERTY
Hurrah for the choice of the nation,
We'll go for the son of Kentucky
They'll find what by felling and mauling,
Then up with the banner so glorious,
Our David's good sling is unerring,
We'll go for the son of Kentucky, Wondering if anyone knows the significance of the term "suckers" in this song? It appears to be positive in the song's context. Does anyone have any other interesting Campaign Songs? Brand sang a snippet of one called Get on a Raft with Taft that conjured a pretty bizarre picture considering Taft weighed about 350 pounds. |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Sorcha Date: 04 Aug 00 - 08:43 PM Is "Hand Me Down My Walkin' Cane" on it? Think it was an FDR song, don't remember which year, but after the polio. |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Mbo Date: 04 Aug 00 - 08:39 PM Blaine! Blaine! James P. Blaine! The monumental liar from the state of Maine! |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Lonesome EJ Date: 04 Aug 00 - 08:36 PM |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Pete Peterson Date: 18 Oct 99 - 11:20 PM Best one I know is the one written AFTER the man won-- "Franklin D. Roosevelt's Back Again" in 1936. Other side is "The Democratic Donkey (Is Back in His Stall Again)-- Bill Cox. He must have owned a Martin |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: raredance Date: 18 Oct 99 - 08:44 PM I looked at the track list on the CD. 43 songs is a lot. Anyone know if they are more or less complete songs or only a verse and chorus of each? In the realm of election songs I would call attention to Oscar Brand's earlier relase on Folkways in 1963 titled "Election Songs of the United States" (FH 5280). I fully expected the CD to be the same with a couple of recent additions. However as best as I can tell only the first and last tracks appear to overlap. They are the same on both the record and the CD. There are 26 songs on the record and given the increased space on a CD, it is quite possible that all 43 are fairly complete. Also of note is a two record set recorded for Folkways by Peter Janofsky in 1980. They are called "Winners and Losers: Campaign Songs from the Critical Elections in American History. Vol. I 1800-1876" and "...Vol. II 1896-1976" (FSS 37260 and 37261). I only have Vol II but it is quite good with extensive commentary included (13 page booklet). Finally a fantastic book (from which I pulled several of the Rosin the Bow parodies in another thread. I will try to add more [not rosinbow] as I get time to type them) "Music for Patriots, Politicians, and Presidents. Harmonies and Discords of the First Hundred Years" by Vera Brodsky Lawrence, 1975 Macmillan (isbn 0-02-569390-5). The book goes up to 1876 and is about 480 pages. That is a lot of material. rich r |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: Date: 18 Oct 99 - 08:19 PM O. Brand is notorious for changing originals. Take a look at Irwin Silber's 'Songs America Voted By', 1971. Covers 1788-1968, maybe not completely. |
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: paddymac Date: 18 Oct 99 - 05:08 PM Voyager - There was an earlier thread on "parodies of Rosin the Beau/Bow" which turned up several such parodies used for Presidential campaigns, including those of William Henry Harrison, Martin van Buren, Henry Clay, Abe Lincoln and (i think) Grant. I think the notion of electoral use of popular songs (not just in presidential campaigns) is a fascinating bit of americana. Thanks for starting this thread. |
Subject: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996) From: voyager Date: 18 Oct 99 - 10:59 AM Oscar Brand has a CD entitled "Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996). I found it at Amazon via this lonnnnnnng URL --> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ts/music-tracks/B00000IWN9/ref=pm_dp_ln_m_1/002-2284768-0869836 I'm interested in talking with Mudcatter's about this 'every-four-year' song cycle. Reason for my interest was a visit last weekend to the estate of FRANKLIN PIERCE in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. The lyrics to the 1856 campaign tune 'Pierce and King' included the punchy line...."We're all a bunch of locos!" Tim Weil (aka voyager) East Silver Spring, MD. |
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