They're Moving Woody's Exhibit For Prez'

Subject: They're Moving Woody's Exhibit For Prez'
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 30 Jun 00 - 09:46 AM

Saw in the Post that the Woody Guthrie exhibit at the Smithsonian is being curtailed because someone wants the permanent President's exhibit to open right after election day. They are breaching contract and the Guthrie family is upset. Maybe if EVERY SINGLE Mudcatter wrote to them, they might reconsider? In a pig's eye, as McCoy said, but it's worth a try, no?

Subject: RE: They're Moving Woody's Exhibit For Prez'
From: GUEST,Peter T.
Date: 30 Jun 00 - 10:18 AM

I didn't know America had permanent presidents -- though they certainly seem to be interchangeably clueless. Why don't they put Woody's exhibit on a freight train and take it around the country so people can hop on and get a gander that way?

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: They're Moving Woody's Exhibit For Prez'
From: Mbo
Date: 30 Jun 00 - 11:53 AM

Can't we get Woody Presidential status? I mean there was a guy who really spoke for the people! How many people care about Chester A. Arthur? How many people care about Woody? I rest my case!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: They're Moving Woody's Exhibit For Prez'
From: SDShad
Date: 30 Jun 00 - 11:58 AM

Not to be confused with Presidential Woody Status.

There, that's my cheap Monica joke for the month,

Chris, who likes the letters-from-all-Catters idea

Subject: RE: They're Moving Woody's Exhibit For Prez'
From: Bert
Date: 30 Jun 00 - 12:04 PM

Well I just emailed their website. I wonder if they'll answer!

Subject: RE: They're Moving Woody's Exhibit For Prez'
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 30 Jun 00 - 12:24 PM

Bert, let us know. And Peter T, GREAT idea! Wish they had! Love to hear that lonesome whistle blow...

Subject: RE: They're Moving Woody's Exhibit For Prez'
From: Mbo
Date: 30 Jun 00 - 12:30 PM

I'm thinking of a parody of "Moving Father's Grave" here...

--Mbo

Subject: RE: They're Moving Woody's Exhibit For Prez'
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 Jun 00 - 12:39 PM

Peter T.

"Interchangeably clueless" You just summed up two hundred years of American History in two words. Every day I am more and more impressed! When are you going to start writing letters to the NYTimes?

SS

Subject: RE: They're Moving Woody's Exhibit For Prez'
From: GUEST,Skivee1 guested on anothers' 'puter
Date: 30 Jun 00 - 12:47 PM

If someone was to write a guthrie style song about the situation, would it go like this?

A hobo was sittin' by the rail yard one night
with a far away look in his eye
He said," Boys, I'll be hopping that westbound freight,
when the Guthrie exhibit rolls by.

I've been all around this country of ours
Even been down to Washin'ton DC
But the damned curators have kicked Woody out.
And that just don't seem right to me

I'm a poor folk musician, or so I've been told
by people who wouldn't have lied
so I'll try swingin' up on that train rollin' by,
'cause I cain't buy a ticket to ride

They found him next mornin' near the bend in the track
all sticky and barely alive
the one thing unbroken in his spill from the train
was his old Martin D-35... in the grey-blue luggage- style carrying case, that looked real ugly, but had good shock resistance

I swunged up and sang Guthrie's songs, he did say
but they disliked the meter and rhyme
I've been throwed out of lots better places then that
but those places weren't rollin at the time

Now you take my guitar and you write songs about
the crime that to me has been done
If they toss a folk singer, and not let him linger
they might do the same to anyone

now the rich and famous are glad that he's gone
and to their own warts they are blind
but the people of worth are the salt of the earth
Like Woody and all of his kind

At that the ol' folk singing hobo did die
with his tongue planted firmly in cheek
it sure is the way that I wrote out these words
but it sure makes it awkward to speak

Line Breaks <br> added.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: They're Moving Woody's Exhibit For Prez'
From: GUEST,Skivee1
Date: 30 Jun 00 - 12:51 PM

Hmmm. I really did write it out in stanza form, really

Subject: RE: They're Moving Woody's Exhibit For Prez'
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 Jun 00 - 01:22 PM

Here are the phone numbers for those of you inclined to annoy them verbally.Telephone Inquiries 202-357-2700 voice 202-357-1729 TTY

Subject: RE: They're Moving Woody's Exhibit For Prez'
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Jun 00 - 03:47 PM

Well done, Skiveel. Make a tape & send it into Mudcat radio, so we can all hear you sing it!

Thanks!

kat

Subject: RE: They're Moving Woody's Exhibit For Prez'
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Jul 00 - 08:46 PM

Woody is a lot more permanent than Willie. Apart of course for one thing:

With end of me old cigar,
Ta-ra-ta-ra- Ta-ra
As I walk down Picadilly,
I'm a regular la-di-da.
I may not be good looking,
but I reckon that I'm a star
for I tickle the ladies' fancy
with the end of me old cigar.

Though that predates the non-inhaling gentleman by a few years. But I think it would fit well in the permanent exhibition. (Anyone got the rest of the words? Maybe it could go in the DT with a dedication...)

Subject: RE: They're Moving Woody's Exhibit For Prez'
From: GUEST,Skivee1
Date: 02 Jul 00 - 01:45 AM

Joe thanks for making the change to my text. It's alot more readable now. Skivee