Origins: Great American Bum

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Thompson
Date: 18 Nov 23 - 02:33 AM

My thought exactly: is this about the growing obesity problem?

More seriously, is this a song sung by comfortable middle-class people (probably with great bums) or by actual hoboes?

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Lighter
Date: 11 Nov 23 - 10:27 AM

"Bum" isn't used for "buttocks" very much in the USA. So there's little ambiguity.

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Lighter
Date: 10 Nov 23 - 05:59 PM

Historical fun fact:

McClintock's song (12 Dec 14, from Joe) was entered (without his name) as evidence in the U.S. House of Representatives, "Investigation of Communist Propaganda: Hearings Before a Special Committee to Investigate Communist Activities in the United States" (1930).

It was being promoted, along with "The Red Flag" and other songs for "workers' education," by Communist Party members in Pontiac, Michigan.

In 1928 McClintock copyrighted the following titles:

Big Rock Candy Mountains.

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.

Hallelujah I'm a Bum.

Bum's Song.

Bum Song No. 2.

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Mrrzy
Date: 10 Nov 23 - 12:02 PM

Plums? Prunes don't grow, do they?

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Nov 23 - 03:19 PM

A better-known song is Hallelujah, I'm a Bum. And we don't find that ambiguous, either.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Nov 23 - 05:59 PM

Mrr....the line is "packed the elusive prune." For a while, the local growers tried to market their produce as "California dried plums." That was a fiasco, and they're back to calling them prunes.
And yes, if you want to be pedantic, I guess I have to say I'm from "plum picking and prune packing" country. Is that satisfactory?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Nov 23 - 01:43 AM

Hi, Jon - I come from prune picking & packing country in Central California (Yuba City is the center). Prunes are a bit difficult to pack. Like raisins, they have to be picked, then dried on cardboard trays on the ground, then packed before they get wet and moldy. A rain will ruin them. It's hard work in hot weather. So, yes, prune packing is an elusive quest.

People just don't take prunes seriously, and it's a shame.

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: GUEST,RJM
Date: 11 Nov 23 - 11:47 AM

"Bum" is used for "buttocks", Elsewhere in the English speaking west,so it is reasonable to say it is ambiguous,

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: GUEST,RJM
Date: 11 Nov 23 - 10:22 AM

Is not the phrase "the Grear American Bum" a little unfortunate?, since there seem to be an increasing amount of overweight obese weserners

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: GUEST,RJM
Date: 11 Nov 23 - 01:49 AM

on the subject of prunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgVlRvl2DI0 subject of prunes

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: GUEST,Jon Bartlett
Date: 01 Nov 23 - 10:21 PM

I'm writing a longish paper on Haywire Mac and pulling together all the bits of info I can find. I've got the Folkways recording and the British Archive of Country Songs CD etc., but I'd like to know what this line is all about:

... and packed the elusive prune

I suspect it's a slang term and nothing to do with actual prunes. Any ideas out there?

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Thompson
Date: 18 Nov 23 - 02:33 AM

My thought exactly: is this about the growing obesity problem?

More seriously, is this a song sung by comfortable middle-class people (probably with great bums) or by actual hoboes?

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Nov 23 - 03:19 PM

A better-known song is Hallelujah, I'm a Bum. And we don't find that ambiguous, either.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: GUEST,RJM
Date: 11 Nov 23 - 11:47 AM

"Bum" is used for "buttocks", Elsewhere in the English speaking west,so it is reasonable to say it is ambiguous,

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Lighter
Date: 11 Nov 23 - 10:27 AM

"Bum" isn't used for "buttocks" very much in the USA. So there's little ambiguity.

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: GUEST,RJM
Date: 11 Nov 23 - 10:22 AM

Is not the phrase "the Grear American Bum" a little unfortunate?, since there seem to be an increasing amount of overweight obese weserners

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: GUEST,RJM
Date: 11 Nov 23 - 01:49 AM

on the subject of prunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgVlRvl2DI0 subject of prunes

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Nov 23 - 05:59 PM

Mrr....the line is "packed the elusive prune." For a while, the local growers tried to market their produce as "California dried plums." That was a fiasco, and they're back to calling them prunes.
And yes, if you want to be pedantic, I guess I have to say I'm from "plum picking and prune packing" country. Is that satisfactory?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Lighter
Date: 10 Nov 23 - 05:59 PM

Historical fun fact:

McClintock's song (12 Dec 14, from Joe) was entered (without his name) as evidence in the U.S. House of Representatives, "Investigation of Communist Propaganda: Hearings Before a Special Committee to Investigate Communist Activities in the United States" (1930).

It was being promoted, along with "The Red Flag" and other songs for "workers' education," by Communist Party members in Pontiac, Michigan.

In 1928 McClintock copyrighted the following titles:

Big Rock Candy Mountains.

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.

Hallelujah I'm a Bum.

Bum's Song.

Bum Song No. 2.

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Mrrzy
Date: 10 Nov 23 - 12:02 PM

Plums? Prunes don't grow, do they?

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Nov 23 - 01:43 AM

Hi, Jon - I come from prune picking & packing country in Central California (Yuba City is the center). Prunes are a bit difficult to pack. Like raisins, they have to be picked, then dried on cardboard trays on the ground, then packed before they get wet and moldy. A rain will ruin them. It's hard work in hot weather. So, yes, prune packing is an elusive quest.

People just don't take prunes seriously, and it's a shame.

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: GUEST,Jon Bartlett
Date: 01 Nov 23 - 10:21 PM

I'm writing a longish paper on Haywire Mac and pulling together all the bits of info I can find. I've got the Folkways recording and the British Archive of Country Songs CD etc., but I'd like to know what this line is all about:

... and packed the elusive prune

I suspect it's a slang term and nothing to do with actual prunes. Any ideas out there?

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Apr 20 - 05:51 PM

Uncle Dave O said years ago up there ^ that he had found The Bum Song on Rose, the Record Lady's site.. which is long gone. But sneaky old me downloaded those about the time Dave was posting. I went to the listing he mentioned,51ae.ra .. and LO! There was the recording by Vernon Dalhart. Rose didn't include the song title and artist in the online version, but somewhere I got most of them named and printed. I have not renamed the Real Audio files on my computer, though... and can't do a direct search. It was great to find Uncle Dave's post.

Hooray for Mudcat keeping all our discussions...

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Raedwulf
Date: 29 Apr 20 - 03:07 PM

Gallus - Actually, my thought on seeing the title was, "Well, surely y'all know that Ma Trump & Pa Trump did That Thing and..." ;-) Therefore curiosity made me click!

But cnd is right Joe - looks like there's an unclosed tag since your 17/4/12 post... and since you're the next post... Joe, you naughty little man! ;-)

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 29 Apr 20 - 02:49 PM

OK I confess to not having read every post, but - am I the only person that feels the giggles coming on when I see a discussion about 'bums'?!!!!
I realise it is a cultural thing - when my Californian pal went on about her 'fanny' or her love for 'nookie' brown ale back in the 1980s she couldn't understand why we in Scotland were howling with laughter!!!!!

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: cnd
Date: 27 Apr 20 - 04:27 PM

Joe, I have nothing to contribute to this thread itself, but I wanted to comment that ever since your 17 Apr 12 - 02:54 AM post the text has been larger and the margins shifted to the left some. Though normally HTML issues only live in one comment, I suspect there's some sort of way that a closed tag from that comment worked its way down into the rest of the thread.

---

Whew! Found it. -Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: Great American Bum
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Apr 20 - 02:52 PM

Here's the Vernon Dalhart recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcBxX-PCFaM

Here's the 1928 recording from Harry McClintock of "The Bum Song":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CynLdVRN8ZM

And here's the Cisco Houston recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TiMIgrBlUY

As Mark Ross says above, Cisco Houston combines "Great American Bum" with "I Don't Wanna Be Rich," which he uses very nicely as a chorus.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum
From: Mark Ross
Date: 13 Dec 14 - 05:55 PM

Cisco paired a cut down version of THE BUM SONG with I DON'T WANNA BE RICH. I learned that version from Fred Holstein.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum
From: Mrrzy
Date: 13 Dec 14 - 05:04 PM

Ah, yes, Cisco Houston. I should read before I post, apparently.

Subject: ADD: The Bum's Song (Harry McClintock)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Dec 14 - 07:34 PM

Here's my transcription of 1928 sheet music I found of "The Bum's Song," which claims words and music are by Harry McClintock
http://78records.cdbpdx.com/BumSong/BumSong-s.pdf

THE BUM'S SONG
(Harry "Mac" McClintock)

1. Come all you jolly jokers And listen while I hum
A story I'll relate to you Of the great American Bum
From the East, the West, the North, the South Like a swarm of bees they come
We sleep in the dirt and wear a shirt That is dirty and full of crumbs.

2. Oh it's early in the morning And the dew is off the ground
The Bum arises from his nest and gazes all around
From the boxcar and the hay stack He gazes everywhere
He never turns back upon his track, until he gets a square.

3. I beat my way from Frisco Bay To the rock-bound coast of Maine
To Canada and Mexico, Then wandered back again
I've met town clowns and harness 'bulls' As tough as a cop could be
And I've been in every calaboose In this Land of Liberty.

4. I've topped the spruce and worked the sluice And taken a turn at the plow
I've searched for gold in the rain and cold And worked on a river scow
I've dug the clam and built the dam And packed the elusive prune
But my troubles fail when I hit the trail, A-paddlin' my own balloon.

5. Oh a-standin' in the railroad yard A waitin' for a train
A-waitin' for a West bound freight, But think it's all in vain
Going East they're loaded, Going west sealed tight
I think we'll have to get aboard The fast Express tonight.

6. Oh lady would you be kind enough to give me something to eat,
A piece of bread and butter And a ten foot slice of meat.
A piece of pie and custard To tickle my appetite,
For really I'm so hungry, I don't know where to sleep tonight.

7. Oh sleepin' against the station, Tra la la la la lation
Well that's our recommedation, Hurrah Hurree Hurrum
For we're three Bums, three jolly old Bums, we live like royal Turks
We have good luck a-bummin' our chuck, And never bother to work.

8. I met a man the other day, I'd never met before
He asked me if I wanted a job, A-shovlin' iron ore
I asked him what the wages were, And he said, "Ten cents a ton"
I said, "Old feller, go chase yourself, I'd rather be on the bum."

9. Oh sleepin' in the pogies, Ogie, Ogie, Ogies
A-smokin' snipes and stogies, Hurrah Hurree Hurrum
For we're three Bums, three jolly old Bums, we live like royal Turks
We have good luck a-bummin' our chuck, God bless the man that works.


Living in the Land of Prunes, I appreciate the line about the "elusive prune." Most of the U.S. prune crop is grown not far from here in Yuba City, California. The marketing people tried to rename them "California Dried Plums," but the onslaught of ridicule brought the word "Prune" back into favor.

Subject: ADD: Shovellin' Iron Ore (from Sandburg)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Dec 14 - 02:52 PM

But there's more in Sandburg:

SHOVELLIN' IRON ORE

Something happened the other day, that never happened before.
A man tried to get me to shovel iron ore.
Says I, "Old man, now what will you pay?"
Says he, "Two bits a ton."
Says I, "Old man, go diddle yourself,
I'd rather bum."

Notes: "I got a snootful of it and I'll never go back," a fellow coal shoveler told me once in Omaha. He was speaking of iron ore, heavier, dirtier, more infiltrating than coal dust...Those who sing this usually hook it up with "We Are Four Bums."

from Carl Sandburg, The American Songbag (1927), page 182

Subject: ADD Version: We Are Four Bums (Sandburg)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Dec 14 - 02:46 PM

Sandburg's version is just a bit longer than what Jon Bartlett posted above.

WE ARE FOUR BUMS
(from Sandburg)

We are four bums, four jolly good chums,
We live like royal Turks;
We're having good luck, in bumming our chuck,
God bless the man that works.

We are four bums, four jolly good chums,
We live like royal Turks;
We're having good luck, in bumming our chuck,
To hell with the man that works.

from Carl Sandburg, The American Songbag (1927), page 192

Notes: If a man shall not work neither shall he eat...Is that so?...A bums' song...heard among glee club boys and among persons who go to the Barber's College for a haircut...

Subject: ADD Versions: Great American Bum
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 02:54 AM

johnbob.net has four versions:

A song Dad used to sing...
(a BIG thank you to Cat Yronwode for sending me the words. I only ever heard Dad sing about 1 or 2 verses. Cat says she's still missing a verse about "that's our recommendation". Hopefully someone else can come up with it.)

The Great American Bum
Harry McClintock

Come, all you jolly jokers, and listen while i hum,
A story I'll relate to you of the Great American Bum
From the east and west and north and south
Like a swarm of bees they come
They sleep in the dirt and wear a shirt
That's dirty and full of scum

Oh, it's early in the morning 'ere the dew is off the ground
The bum arises from his shack and gazes all around
From the boxcars and the haystacks,
He gazes everywhere
He never turns back upon his track
Until he gets a square (a square meal, that means)

  (this next part is spoken dialogue, with a woman who has a strong "Oirish" accent)

[knock! knock! knock!]

Good mornin, Mum!

Good morning, Bum!

Mum, could you spare a loaf of bread?

Go away, Bum, the baker is dead.

But, Mum, i've been walking all morning!

Well, you can keep right on walking!

Honestly, Mum, wouldn't you have a bite to eat in the house?

Aye, that i would, Bum -- and a six foot Irishman comin' home at five o'clock to eat it! On your way, now!

Goodbye, then, Mum.

Goodbye, Bum

Oh, sleeping in the pokey, fogey-ogey-ogey
Smoking pipes and stogies, ha-ree, ha-rah, ha-rum
For we are three bums, three jolly old bums
We live like royal Turks
We have good luck in bumming our chuck
To heck with the man who works!

Here's some more verses from Tolbert Eldon Ashbrook
(not sure where they fit in the song but at least we got'em)

Oh it's early in the morning,
Ere the dew had left the ground,
The bum arises to his feet,
Begins to search around,
From the hammock to the mansion,
He searches everywhere,
Never lights upon a strike, (meaning a lucky strike cigarette)
Until he stikes a square,

Bum the streets in Gad, boys...
Leathery leathery dad, boys...
What a drunk we had, boys...
Leathery leathery day....

Here's a similar version emailed to me from Harold Recknagle
He learned the song, from an itinerant logger, when he was a lad living up on Lake Chelan, in Washington State in 1948:

The Great American Bum Come all ye jolly jokers and listen while I hum The story I'll relate to you, the great American Bum From East to West from North and South Like swarms of bees they come Sleep in the dirt and wear a shirt, filthy and full of crumbs It's early in the morning, the dew is on the ground The bum arises from his nest and gazes all around From boxcar to the haystack, he gazes everywhere He never turns back upon his track until he gets a square I've topped the spruce, I've worked the sluice I've taken a turn at the plow I've dug for gold in rain and cold And worked on a river scow I've picked the clam, I've packed the clam I've packed the elusive prune But my troubles pale when I hit the trail Packing my own balloon Oh lady would you be kind enough to gimme a bite to eat A piece of pie and custard and a ten foot slice of meat A piece of pie and custard to tickle me appetite For lady, I'm so hungry, I don't know where to sleep tonight Oh it's sleepin' in the station, tra la la la la lation That's our recommedation, harrah haroo harum We are three bums, three jolly bums, we live like royal Turks We have good luck abummin' our chuck God bless the man that works Oh I met a man the other day, I'd never met before He asked me if I wanted a job shovlin' iron ore I asked him what the wages were, he said ten cents a ton I said ol' fellow, go chase yourself, I'd sooner be on the bum Oh it's sleepin' in the oggies, hi oggy oggy oggies Smokin' snipes and stogies, harrah haroo harum We are three bums, three jolly bums, we live like royal Turks We have good luck abummin' our chuck God bless the man that works Here's a similar version emailed to me from H. Carl Klindt as he remembers them >The Great American Bum It's early in the morning The dew's still on ground The bum crawls out from his nest And gazes all around From the boxcar and the haystack He gazes everywhere He'll never turn back upon his track Untill he gets a square I was sleeping in the shade To pass the time away A man woke me up and asked me To help him get in some hay He said his land was rolling I said now if that is true Roll it here to this shady spot And I'll see what I can do Once I met John Farmer He stopped me on my way He said he was digging potatoes And they had to be dug today Now I can't dig any potatoes 'Cause I'm getting fat Go hire the man that planted them He knows where they are at (dialogue) "Good mornin' mum" "Good morning bum" " I was just passing by" "Why did you stop" "I haven'nt eaten yet today" "SO" "I have'nt seen my wife for many years "SO" "Well mum I have a button here" "Would you sew a shirt on it for me" "WERE IS MY BROOM GET OUT HERE ON YOUR WAY" "Goodby mum" "Good bum" My clothes are getting ragged My shoes are getting thin But what do I care I've got to wear I'm on the bum again The weathers getting chilly Soon all will be froze I've got to go to a sunny state Where the weathers fit for clothes Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: ADD Version: Great American Bum From: GUEST,Bob Coyle Date: 16 Apr 12 - 09:33 PM These are the lyrics I heard on an old 75 rpm in 1955. The record was much older and I know nothing about it. but it had more verses than the others here... so here it is.. as far as I can member THE GREAT AMERICAN BUM Come all you jolly jokers if you and listen while I hum I'll relate to you the story of of the great American bum. From the east and west and north and south like a swarm of bees they come. They sleep in the dirt and they wear a shirt that's dirty and full of crumbs. (chorus) I am a bum, a jolly old bum And I live like a royal Turk. And I have good luck and I bum all my chuck God bless the man that works. It's early in the morning when the dew is on the ground, The bum arises from his nest and gazes all around. From the boxcars and the haystacks they get up everywhere and they never look back upon their track until they had a square. (chorus) Now I beat my way from Frisco Bay to the rock-bound coast of Maine Througth Canada and Mexico and I been back again I've met town clown and railroad bulls as tough as tough can be and I've been in every calaboos in this land of liberty. (chorus) well I've topped the spruce and worked the sluice and taken my turn at the plow I've panned for gold in the rain and cold and worked on a river scow. I built the dam and dug the clam and packed the elusive prune. But my troubles fail when I hit the trail packin my ol maloon. (chorus) I'm waiting in the station, waiting for a train waiting for a west bound freight, I think it's all in vane. While going east they're loaded, and going west sealed tight, "I reckon we'll have to ride aboard the fast express tonight." (chorus) Well, I met a man the other day that I never met before, And he asked me if I wanted a job a-shovelin' iron ore. I asked him what the wages was and he said: "ten cents a ton." I said: "Old man go chase yourself", I'd rather be on the bum. (chorus) Oh, lady would you be kind enough to give me somethin' to eat, A piece of bread and butter and a tender slice of meat. Some apple pie and custard just to tickle me appetite, For really I'm so hungry, don't know where I'll sleep tonight. (chorus) (end chorus) sleeping in the station, tra la la lation perpetual vacation, that's my recommendation, haree, haree, harum We are three bums, three jolly ol bums we live like royal turks we have good luck in bumming our chuck And we never bother to work Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: Mark Ross Date: 21 Mar 12 - 09:59 AM Written and recorded by Harry Kirby "Haywire Mac" McClintock. Anyone out there know if Mac and Woody Guthrie ever crossed paths? Ther were both in California at the same time. Mark Ross Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: GUEST Date: 20 Mar 12 - 10:23 PM Owen Clark, Murray UT 84107 Ph 801-266-8308 I heard and sang this song when I was age eight, in Star Valley, Wyoming, on the Dairy farm of my Uncle & Aunt. I am now age 92. We played those 78 records on a Wind-Up Victrola. They had two records, one was McClintock`s "Big Rock Candy Mountain," with the flip side of "Hallelujah, I`m a Bum." "Oh I went to a house and I knocked at the door, And the lady said Bum, Bum, you`ve been here before! (Chorus after each verse) "Hallelujah, I`m a Bum; Hallelujah, Bum again! Hallelujah, give us a handout to revive us again."    The 2nd two-sided recording was already mentioned here by someone else: "The Bum Song #1" and "The Bum song #2. The lyrics and the performer are now a dim blur, but I sang with the recording, "Come all you jolly jokers, and listen while I hum; A story I`ll relate to you of the Great American Bum; On the highways and the railroad tracks, You`ll find theme everywhere! They`re shootin` Snipes or smokin` pipes, Or Bummin` for a square. "Oh once I met John Farmer, he stopped me on me way, He says, "I`ve got some potatoes, and I want them dug today." Now I can`t dig no potatoes, because I`m gettin` fat! Go hire the guy what planted `em, cause he knows where they`re at! Oh, leave the work to the other guys, To honest working men, but I dowanna dig no spuds, I`m on the bum again.    "As I was sleepin` in the shade to pass the time away, A man came up and asked me To help him pitch some hay; He said his land was rolling, I said, "Now if that`s true, Just roll it here to this shady spot, and I`ll see what I can do." "Oh the weather`s gettin` chilly, and soon we`ll all be froze, I`ve got to a sunny state, where the weather fits me clothes." And the closing phrase: "I`ll see you in Califoria, I`m on the Bum again." I also remember "Mum, I have a button here. Could you sew a shirt on it for me?" The lady sharply says, "Where`s that broom? Outta here! On yer way! And the bum hastily answers,"I`m goin` Mum, Goodbye Mum! The lady responds gruffly, "Goodbye Bum!"     I have a cousin who is still living, whose Dad & Mother were the owners of the 78`a and the Victrola, so am gonna phone her to see how many of those lyrics SHE remembers, and will get back to you all. Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Great American Bum From: Newport Boy Date: 27 Jun 08 - 08:41 AM The combination of the Great Historical Bum (Biggest Thing Man Has Ever Done) and I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago was in Sing Out in 1961. The first (which begins "I'm just a lonesome traveller, the great historical bum") is credited words and music by Woody Guthrie. The version printed says "One of Woody Guthrie's finest songs brought up-to-date." Ten Thousand Years is credited as collected, adapted and arranged by John & Alan Lomax. The combination is entitled "Just The Facts, Ma'am", and uses 5 verses of Ten Thousand Years and 4 verses of Biggest Thing Man Has Ever Done. The notes say: Larry Mohr has put a new tune to Woody's song, and he and Odetta Feilous perform this friendly competition on a new disc called "Odetta and Larry" (Fantasy). Woody's original version of Biggest Thing had about a dozen verses and dates from around 1936. He added verses later and the last one about Hitler is about 1944/5. I don't think there's any real relationship to Great American Bum, except that Woody might have known and modified the phrase. Phil Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Great American Bum From: Mark Ross Date: 26 Jun 08 - 03:18 PM Haywire Mac wrote it! And also recorded BUM SONG #2. Mark Ross Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Great American Bum From: GUEST,NYMusicLover Date: 26 Jun 08 - 01:08 AM Hey Uncle Dave, The Chad Mitchell Trio did the Great Historical Bum combined with The Braggart's Song (I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago) I have it, and if it's possible to upload music to this site, I can try to bring it here... Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Great American Bum From: Jon Bartlett Date: 26 Jun 08 - 12:29 AM I wouldn't be surprised if Haywire Mac McClintock recorded this, too. Jon Bartlett Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Great American Bum From: Abby Sale Date: 25 Jun 08 - 10:29 PM I added the Cisco Houston in 1996 and Joe Offer did again in 1998. Still not in the data base. But search on the song for the several discussions and versions. I like the Vernon Dalhart recording. I've got a .ra but I don't know where I got it. There's a fair copy at Clicky Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: Lyr Add: THE GREAT AMERICAN BUM From: GUEST,Bill Hamilton Date: 25 Jun 08 - 12:39 PM The number of verses and versions give a real insight to this county. I grew up in a railroad town and most of the men in the family for several generations were railroad men. They sang this song and similar ones on a regular basis. I learned the words below in the late thirties and early forties as well as many of the other verses floating around. Some versions leave the word "bay" off after "Frisco" and this doesn't make sense to me. As a side note, when I visited Maine for the first time last years, I confirmed the rock bound coast and remembered this song my dad sang. Hope someone likes the "town clowns and harness bulls" bit. Come all you jolly jokers And listen while I hum The story I'll relate to you The great American bum From north to south From east to west Like a storm of bees they come They lay in the dirt And where a shirt All dirty and full of crumb Tra-la-la-la-la-lation That's my recommendation Hurrah, horree, horrum For we're three bums Three jolly old bums We live like royal Turks We have good luck in bumming our junk God bless the man that works I beat my way from Frisco bay To the rockbound coast of Maine From Canada to Mexico And wandered back again I met town clowns and harness bulls As tough as the cops could be I've been in every calaboose In this land of liberty Oh we're three bums.... Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: Strollin' Johnny Date: 24 Aug 04 - 08:26 AM I knew you Americans had no sense of humour............:0) Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: Strollin' Johnny Date: 23 Aug 04 - 12:36 PM I thought the Great American Bum belonged to Jennifer Lopez? OK, I'll leave now............... Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 22 Aug 04 - 12:28 PM For those few who don't already know it, "crumb" or "crumbs" in this song are not those little pieces of torn-off bread or cake that we sweep off the table. "Crumbs" here are body lice. Dave Oesterreich Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: Cap't Bob Date: 22 Aug 04 - 12:39 AM I learned this song from my dad back in the late 30's. The first song I can remember singing. His version was a combination of the above verses with a few slight changes. "Oh gather around you jolly old bums and listen while I hum, A story I'll relate to you of a great American bum, From north to south to east to west, like a swarm of bees they come, They sleep in the dirt and wear a shirt that's dirty and full of crumbs." "It's early in the morning when the dew is on the ground, The bum arises from his nest and gazes all around. From the boxcar to the hay stack, he wanders everywhere, He never gets back upon the track until he gets a square." "We three bums, we jolly three bums; we live like royal Turks, We have good luck, and bum on our chuck, God bless the man that works." Cap't Bob Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: Jim Dixon Date: 21 Aug 04 - 10:14 PM Cisco Houston sings THE GREAT AMERICAN BUM on "The Folkways Years 1944-1961," Smithsonian Folkways CD 40059, 1994. On that album, it is attributed to "M. McClintock." There is a sound sample at allmusic. Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: GUEST,John Canada Date: 18 Aug 04 - 07:42 AM Harry Mcclintock "The Great American Bum" CD D082 is available from Britain from "the British Archive of Country Music", http://bacm.users.btopenworld.com/CD-details5.html. 22 of his records, restored, including both "Bum" songs, "the Big Rock Candy Mountain" and a few I've never heard of. John Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: GUEST,John Canada Date: 17 Aug 04 - 07:28 PM A Harry McClintock compilation was issued on CD in 1990, but I don't think it's available now. I see "Bum Song" listed on e-bay, but it turns out to ne the original 78 of "Bum Song No.2. I'll bet a diligent search of the web would turn up a CD for sale or a download, though. John Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Subject: RE: Great American Bum From: Joe Offer Date: 17 Aug 04 - 03:43 AM Are the McClintock recordings available on CD, John? -Joe Offer- Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate Next Page   Share Thread: Reply to Thread Subject:  Help From: Preview   Automatic Linebreaks   Make a link ("blue clicky") Mudcat time: 3 December 2:40 PM EST [ Home ] All original material is copyright © 2022 by the Mudcat Café Music Foundation. All photos, music, images, etc. are copyright © by their rightful owners. Every effort is taken to attribute appropriate copyright to images, content, music, etc. We are not a copyright resource.

The Great American Bum
Come all ye jolly jokers and listen while I hum
The story I'll relate to you, the great American Bum
From East to West from North and South
Like swarms of bees they come
Sleep in the dirt and wear a shirt, filthy and full of crumbs

It's early in the morning, the dew is on the ground
The bum arises from his nest and gazes all around
From boxcar to the haystack, he gazes everywhere
He never turns back upon his track until he gets a square

I've topped the spruce, I've worked the sluice
I've taken a turn at the plow
I've dug for gold in rain and cold
And worked on a river scow
I've picked the clam, I've packed the clam
I've packed the elusive prune
But my troubles pale when I hit the trail
Packing my own balloon

Oh lady would you be kind enough to gimme a bite to eat
A piece of pie and custard and a ten foot slice of meat
A piece of pie and custard to tickle me appetite
For lady, I'm so hungry, I don't know where to sleep tonight

Oh it's sleepin' in the station, tra la la la la lation
That's our recommedation, harrah haroo harum
We are three bums, three jolly bums, we live like royal Turks
We have good luck abummin' our chuck
God bless the man that works

Oh I met a man the other day, I'd never met before
He asked me if I wanted a job shovlin' iron ore
I asked him what the wages were, he said ten cents a ton
I said ol' fellow, go chase yourself, I'd sooner be on the bum

Oh it's sleepin' in the oggies, hi oggy oggy oggies
Smokin' snipes and stogies, harrah haroo harum
We are three bums, three jolly bums, we live like royal Turks
We have good luck abummin' our chuck
God bless the man that works

Here's a similar version emailed to me from H. Carl Klindt as he remembers them

>The Great American Bum It's early in the morning The dew's still on ground The bum crawls out from his nest And gazes all around From the boxcar and the haystack He gazes everywhere He'll never turn back upon his track Untill he gets a square I was sleeping in the shade To pass the time away A man woke me up and asked me To help him get in some hay He said his land was rolling I said now if that is true Roll it here to this shady spot And I'll see what I can do Once I met John Farmer He stopped me on my way He said he was digging potatoes And they had to be dug today Now I can't dig any potatoes 'Cause I'm getting fat Go hire the man that planted them He knows where they are at (dialogue) "Good mornin' mum" "Good morning bum" " I was just passing by" "Why did you stop" "I haven'nt eaten yet today" "SO" "I have'nt seen my wife for many years "SO" "Well mum I have a button here" "Would you sew a shirt on it for me" "WERE IS MY BROOM GET OUT HERE ON YOUR WAY" "Goodby mum" "Good bum" My clothes are getting ragged My shoes are getting thin But what do I care I've got to wear I'm on the bum again The weathers getting chilly Soon all will be froze I've got to go to a sunny state Where the weathers fit for clothes

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Subject: ADD Version: Great American Bum From: GUEST,Bob Coyle Date: 16 Apr 12 - 09:33 PM These are the lyrics I heard on an old 75 rpm in 1955. The record was much older and I know nothing about it. but it had more verses than the others here... so here it is.. as far as I can member THE GREAT AMERICAN BUM Come all you jolly jokers if you and listen while I hum I'll relate to you the story of of the great American bum. From the east and west and north and south like a swarm of bees they come. They sleep in the dirt and they wear a shirt that's dirty and full of crumbs. (chorus) I am a bum, a jolly old bum And I live like a royal Turk. And I have good luck and I bum all my chuck God bless the man that works. It's early in the morning when the dew is on the ground, The bum arises from his nest and gazes all around. From the boxcars and the haystacks they get up everywhere and they never look back upon their track until they had a square. (chorus) Now I beat my way from Frisco Bay to the rock-bound coast of Maine Througth Canada and Mexico and I been back again I've met town clown and railroad bulls as tough as tough can be and I've been in every calaboos in this land of liberty. (chorus) well I've topped the spruce and worked the sluice and taken my turn at the plow I've panned for gold in the rain and cold and worked on a river scow. I built the dam and dug the clam and packed the elusive prune. But my troubles fail when I hit the trail packin my ol maloon. (chorus) I'm waiting in the station, waiting for a train waiting for a west bound freight, I think it's all in vane. While going east they're loaded, and going west sealed tight, "I reckon we'll have to ride aboard the fast express tonight." (chorus) Well, I met a man the other day that I never met before, And he asked me if I wanted a job a-shovelin' iron ore. I asked him what the wages was and he said: "ten cents a ton." I said: "Old man go chase yourself", I'd rather be on the bum. (chorus) Oh, lady would you be kind enough to give me somethin' to eat, A piece of bread and butter and a tender slice of meat. Some apple pie and custard just to tickle me appetite, For really I'm so hungry, don't know where I'll sleep tonight. (chorus) (end chorus) sleeping in the station, tra la la lation perpetual vacation, that's my recommendation, haree, haree, harum We are three bums, three jolly ol bums we live like royal turks we have good luck in bumming our chuck And we never bother to work

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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: Mark Ross Date: 21 Mar 12 - 09:59 AM Written and recorded by Harry Kirby "Haywire Mac" McClintock. Anyone out there know if Mac and Woody Guthrie ever crossed paths? Ther were both in California at the same time. Mark Ross

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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: GUEST Date: 20 Mar 12 - 10:23 PM Owen Clark, Murray UT 84107 Ph 801-266-8308 I heard and sang this song when I was age eight, in Star Valley, Wyoming, on the Dairy farm of my Uncle & Aunt. I am now age 92. We played those 78 records on a Wind-Up Victrola. They had two records, one was McClintock`s "Big Rock Candy Mountain," with the flip side of "Hallelujah, I`m a Bum." "Oh I went to a house and I knocked at the door, And the lady said Bum, Bum, you`ve been here before! (Chorus after each verse) "Hallelujah, I`m a Bum; Hallelujah, Bum again! Hallelujah, give us a handout to revive us again."    The 2nd two-sided recording was already mentioned here by someone else: "The Bum Song #1" and "The Bum song #2. The lyrics and the performer are now a dim blur, but I sang with the recording, "Come all you jolly jokers, and listen while I hum; A story I`ll relate to you of the Great American Bum; On the highways and the railroad tracks, You`ll find theme everywhere! They`re shootin` Snipes or smokin` pipes, Or Bummin` for a square. "Oh once I met John Farmer, he stopped me on me way, He says, "I`ve got some potatoes, and I want them dug today." Now I can`t dig no potatoes, because I`m gettin` fat! Go hire the guy what planted `em, cause he knows where they`re at! Oh, leave the work to the other guys, To honest working men, but I dowanna dig no spuds, I`m on the bum again.    "As I was sleepin` in the shade to pass the time away, A man came up and asked me To help him pitch some hay; He said his land was rolling, I said, "Now if that`s true, Just roll it here to this shady spot, and I`ll see what I can do." "Oh the weather`s gettin` chilly, and soon we`ll all be froze, I`ve got to a sunny state, where the weather fits me clothes." And the closing phrase: "I`ll see you in Califoria, I`m on the Bum again." I also remember "Mum, I have a button here. Could you sew a shirt on it for me?" The lady sharply says, "Where`s that broom? Outta here! On yer way! And the bum hastily answers,"I`m goin` Mum, Goodbye Mum! The lady responds gruffly, "Goodbye Bum!"     I have a cousin who is still living, whose Dad & Mother were the owners of the 78`a and the Victrola, so am gonna phone her to see how many of those lyrics SHE remembers, and will get back to you all.

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Great American Bum From: Newport Boy Date: 27 Jun 08 - 08:41 AM The combination of the Great Historical Bum (Biggest Thing Man Has Ever Done) and I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago was in Sing Out in 1961. The first (which begins "I'm just a lonesome traveller, the great historical bum") is credited words and music by Woody Guthrie. The version printed says "One of Woody Guthrie's finest songs brought up-to-date." Ten Thousand Years is credited as collected, adapted and arranged by John & Alan Lomax. The combination is entitled "Just The Facts, Ma'am", and uses 5 verses of Ten Thousand Years and 4 verses of Biggest Thing Man Has Ever Done. The notes say: Larry Mohr has put a new tune to Woody's song, and he and Odetta Feilous perform this friendly competition on a new disc called "Odetta and Larry" (Fantasy). Woody's original version of Biggest Thing had about a dozen verses and dates from around 1936. He added verses later and the last one about Hitler is about 1944/5. I don't think there's any real relationship to Great American Bum, except that Woody might have known and modified the phrase. Phil

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Great American Bum From: Mark Ross Date: 26 Jun 08 - 03:18 PM Haywire Mac wrote it! And also recorded BUM SONG #2. Mark Ross

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Great American Bum From: GUEST,NYMusicLover Date: 26 Jun 08 - 01:08 AM Hey Uncle Dave, The Chad Mitchell Trio did the Great Historical Bum combined with The Braggart's Song (I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago) I have it, and if it's possible to upload music to this site, I can try to bring it here...

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Great American Bum From: Jon Bartlett Date: 26 Jun 08 - 12:29 AM I wouldn't be surprised if Haywire Mac McClintock recorded this, too. Jon Bartlett

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Great American Bum From: Abby Sale Date: 25 Jun 08 - 10:29 PM I added the Cisco Houston in 1996 and Joe Offer did again in 1998. Still not in the data base. But search on the song for the several discussions and versions. I like the Vernon Dalhart recording. I've got a .ra but I don't know where I got it. There's a fair copy at Clicky

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Subject: Lyr Add: THE GREAT AMERICAN BUM From: GUEST,Bill Hamilton Date: 25 Jun 08 - 12:39 PM The number of verses and versions give a real insight to this county. I grew up in a railroad town and most of the men in the family for several generations were railroad men. They sang this song and similar ones on a regular basis. I learned the words below in the late thirties and early forties as well as many of the other verses floating around. Some versions leave the word "bay" off after "Frisco" and this doesn't make sense to me. As a side note, when I visited Maine for the first time last years, I confirmed the rock bound coast and remembered this song my dad sang. Hope someone likes the "town clowns and harness bulls" bit. Come all you jolly jokers And listen while I hum The story I'll relate to you The great American bum From north to south From east to west Like a storm of bees they come They lay in the dirt And where a shirt All dirty and full of crumb Tra-la-la-la-la-lation That's my recommendation Hurrah, horree, horrum For we're three bums Three jolly old bums We live like royal Turks We have good luck in bumming our junk God bless the man that works I beat my way from Frisco bay To the rockbound coast of Maine From Canada to Mexico And wandered back again I met town clowns and harness bulls As tough as the cops could be I've been in every calaboose In this land of liberty Oh we're three bums....

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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: Strollin' Johnny Date: 24 Aug 04 - 08:26 AM I knew you Americans had no sense of humour............:0)

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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: Strollin' Johnny Date: 23 Aug 04 - 12:36 PM I thought the Great American Bum belonged to Jennifer Lopez? OK, I'll leave now...............

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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 22 Aug 04 - 12:28 PM For those few who don't already know it, "crumb" or "crumbs" in this song are not those little pieces of torn-off bread or cake that we sweep off the table. "Crumbs" here are body lice. Dave Oesterreich

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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: Cap't Bob Date: 22 Aug 04 - 12:39 AM I learned this song from my dad back in the late 30's. The first song I can remember singing. His version was a combination of the above verses with a few slight changes. "Oh gather around you jolly old bums and listen while I hum, A story I'll relate to you of a great American bum, From north to south to east to west, like a swarm of bees they come, They sleep in the dirt and wear a shirt that's dirty and full of crumbs." "It's early in the morning when the dew is on the ground, The bum arises from his nest and gazes all around. From the boxcar to the hay stack, he wanders everywhere, He never gets back upon the track until he gets a square." "We three bums, we jolly three bums; we live like royal Turks, We have good luck, and bum on our chuck, God bless the man that works." Cap't Bob

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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: Jim Dixon Date: 21 Aug 04 - 10:14 PM Cisco Houston sings THE GREAT AMERICAN BUM on "The Folkways Years 1944-1961," Smithsonian Folkways CD 40059, 1994. On that album, it is attributed to "M. McClintock." There is a sound sample at allmusic.

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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: GUEST,John Canada Date: 18 Aug 04 - 07:42 AM Harry Mcclintock "The Great American Bum" CD D082 is available from Britain from "the British Archive of Country Music", http://bacm.users.btopenworld.com/CD-details5.html. 22 of his records, restored, including both "Bum" songs, "the Big Rock Candy Mountain" and a few I've never heard of. John

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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum From: GUEST,John Canada Date: 17 Aug 04 - 07:28 PM A Harry McClintock compilation was issued on CD in 1990, but I don't think it's available now. I see "Bum Song" listed on e-bay, but it turns out to ne the original 78 of "Bum Song No.2. I'll bet a diligent search of the web would turn up a CD for sale or a download, though. John

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Subject: RE: Great American Bum From: Joe Offer Date: 17 Aug 04 - 03:43 AM Are the McClintock recordings available on CD, John? -Joe Offer-

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All original material is copyright © 2022 by the Mudcat Café Music Foundation. All photos, music, images, etc. are copyright © by their rightful owners. Every effort is taken to attribute appropriate copyright to images, content, music, etc. We are not a copyright resource.

Subject: ADD Version: Great American Bum
From: GUEST,Bob Coyle
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 09:33 PM

These are the lyrics I heard on an old 75 rpm in 1955. The record was much older and I know nothing about it. but it had more verses than the others here... so here it is.. as far as I can member


THE GREAT AMERICAN BUM

Come all you jolly jokers if you and listen while I hum
I'll relate to you the story of of the great American bum.
From the east and west and north and south like a swarm of bees they come.
They sleep in the dirt and they wear a shirt that's dirty and full of crumbs.

(chorus)
I am a bum, a jolly old bum
And I live like a royal Turk.
And I have good luck and I bum all my chuck
God bless the man that works.

It's early in the morning when the dew is on the ground,
The bum arises from his nest and gazes all around.
From the boxcars and the haystacks they get up everywhere
and they never look back upon their track until they had a square.
(chorus)

Now I beat my way from Frisco Bay to the rock-bound coast of Maine
Througth Canada and Mexico and I been back again
I've met town clown and railroad bulls as tough as tough can be
and I've been in every calaboos in this land of liberty.
(chorus)

well I've topped the spruce and worked the sluice and taken my turn at the plow
I've panned for gold in the rain and cold and worked on a river scow.
I built the dam and dug the clam and packed the elusive prune.
But my troubles fail when I hit the trail packin my ol maloon.
(chorus)

I'm waiting in the station, waiting for a train
waiting for a west bound freight, I think it's all in vane.
While going east they're loaded, and going west sealed tight,
"I reckon we'll have to ride aboard the fast express tonight."
(chorus)

Well, I met a man the other day that I never met before,
And he asked me if I wanted a job a-shovelin' iron ore.
I asked him what the wages was and he said: "ten cents a ton."
I said: "Old man go chase yourself", I'd rather be on the bum.
(chorus)

Oh, lady would you be kind enough to give me somethin' to eat,
A piece of bread and butter and a tender slice of meat.
Some apple pie and custard just to tickle me appetite,
For really I'm so hungry, don't know where I'll sleep tonight.
(chorus)

(end chorus)
sleeping in the station, tra la la lation
perpetual vacation, that's my recommendation, haree, haree, harum
We are three bums, three jolly ol bums we live like royal turks
we have good luck in bumming our chuck
And we never bother to work

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum
From: Mark Ross
Date: 21 Mar 12 - 09:59 AM

Written and recorded by Harry Kirby "Haywire Mac" McClintock.

Anyone out there know if Mac and Woody Guthrie ever crossed paths? Ther were both in California at the same time.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Mar 12 - 10:23 PM

Owen Clark, Murray UT 84107 Ph 801-266-8308
I heard and sang this song when I was age eight, in Star Valley, Wyoming, on the Dairy farm of my Uncle & Aunt. I am now age 92. We played those 78 records on a Wind-Up Victrola. They had two records, one was McClintock`s "Big Rock Candy Mountain," with the flip side of "Hallelujah, I`m a Bum." "Oh I went to a house and I knocked at the door, And the lady said Bum, Bum, you`ve been here before! (Chorus after each verse) "Hallelujah, I`m a Bum; Hallelujah, Bum again! Hallelujah, give us a handout to revive us again."
   The 2nd two-sided recording was already mentioned here by someone else: "The Bum Song #1" and "The Bum song #2. The lyrics and the performer are now a dim blur, but I sang with the recording, "Come all you jolly jokers, and listen while I hum; A story I`ll relate to you of the Great American Bum; On the highways and the railroad tracks, You`ll find theme everywhere! They`re shootin` Snipes or smokin` pipes, Or Bummin` for a square. "Oh once I met John Farmer, he stopped me on me way, He says, "I`ve got some potatoes, and I want them dug today." Now I can`t dig no potatoes, because I`m gettin` fat! Go hire the guy what planted `em, cause he knows where they`re at! Oh, leave the work to the other guys, To honest working men, but I dowanna dig no spuds, I`m on the bum again.
   "As I was sleepin` in the shade to pass the time away, A man came up and asked me To help him pitch some hay; He said his land was rolling, I said, "Now if that`s true, Just roll it here to this shady spot, and I`ll see what I can do." "Oh the weather`s gettin` chilly, and soon we`ll all be froze, I`ve got to a sunny state, where the weather fits me clothes." And the closing phrase: "I`ll see you in Califoria, I`m on the Bum again." I also remember "Mum, I have a button here. Could you sew a shirt on it for me?" The lady sharply says, "Where`s that broom? Outta here! On yer way! And the bum hastily answers,"I`m goin` Mum, Goodbye Mum! The lady responds gruffly, "Goodbye Bum!"
    I have a cousin who is still living, whose Dad & Mother were the owners of the 78`a and the Victrola, so am gonna phone her to see how many of those lyrics SHE remembers, and will get back to you all.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Great American Bum
From: Newport Boy
Date: 27 Jun 08 - 08:41 AM

The combination of the Great Historical Bum (Biggest Thing Man Has Ever Done) and I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago was in Sing Out in 1961.

The first (which begins "I'm just a lonesome traveller, the great historical bum") is credited words and music by Woody Guthrie. The version printed says "One of Woody Guthrie's finest songs brought up-to-date."

Ten Thousand Years is credited as collected, adapted and arranged by John & Alan Lomax.

The combination is entitled "Just The Facts, Ma'am", and uses 5 verses of Ten Thousand Years and 4 verses of Biggest Thing Man Has Ever Done.

The notes say: Larry Mohr has put a new tune to Woody's song, and he and Odetta Feilous perform this friendly competition on a new disc called "Odetta and Larry" (Fantasy).

Woody's original version of Biggest Thing had about a dozen verses and dates from around 1936. He added verses later and the last one about Hitler is about 1944/5. I don't think there's any real relationship to Great American Bum, except that Woody might have known and modified the phrase.

Phil

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Great American Bum
From: Mark Ross
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 03:18 PM

Haywire Mac wrote it! And also recorded BUM SONG #2.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Great American Bum
From: GUEST,NYMusicLover
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 01:08 AM

Hey Uncle Dave, The Chad Mitchell Trio did the Great Historical Bum combined with The Braggart's Song (I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago) I have it, and if it's possible to upload music to this site, I can try to bring it here...

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Great American Bum
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 12:29 AM

I wouldn't be surprised if Haywire Mac McClintock recorded this, too.

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Great American Bum
From: Abby Sale
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 10:29 PM

I added the Cisco Houston in 1996 and Joe Offer did again in 1998. Still not in the data base. But search on the song for the several discussions and versions. I like the Vernon Dalhart recording. I've got a .ra but I don't know where I got it. There's a fair copy at Clicky

Subject: Lyr Add: THE GREAT AMERICAN BUM
From: GUEST,Bill Hamilton
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 12:39 PM

The number of verses and versions give a real insight to this county. I grew up in a railroad town and most of the men in the family for several generations were railroad men. They sang this song and similar ones on a regular basis. I learned the words below in the late thirties and early forties as well as many of the other verses floating around. Some versions leave the word "bay" off after "Frisco" and this doesn't make sense to me. As a side note, when I visited Maine for the first time last years, I confirmed the rock bound coast and remembered this song my dad sang. Hope someone likes the "town clowns and harness bulls" bit.



Come all you jolly jokers
And listen while I hum
The story I'll relate to you
The great American bum

From north to south
From east to west
Like a storm of bees they come
They lay in the dirt
And where a shirt
All dirty and full of crumb

Tra-la-la-la-la-lation
That's my recommendation
Hurrah, horree, horrum
For we're three bums
Three jolly old bums
We live like royal Turks
We have good luck in bumming our junk
God bless the man that works

I beat my way from Frisco bay
To the rockbound coast of Maine
From Canada to Mexico
And wandered back again
I met town clowns and harness bulls
As tough as the cops could be
I've been in every calaboose
In this land of liberty

Oh we're three bums....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 24 Aug 04 - 08:26 AM

I knew you Americans had no sense of humour............:0)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 23 Aug 04 - 12:36 PM

I thought the Great American Bum belonged to Jennifer Lopez?

OK, I'll leave now...............

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 22 Aug 04 - 12:28 PM

For those few who don't already know it, "crumb" or "crumbs" in this song are not those little pieces of torn-off bread or cake that we sweep off the table. "Crumbs" here are body lice.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 22 Aug 04 - 12:39 AM

I learned this song from my dad back in the late 30's. The first song I can remember singing. His version was a combination of the above verses with a few slight changes.

"Oh gather around you jolly old bums and listen while I hum,
A story I'll relate to you of a great American bum,
From north to south to east to west, like a swarm of bees they come,
They sleep in the dirt and wear a shirt that's dirty and full of crumbs."


"It's early in the morning when the dew is on the ground,
The bum arises from his nest and gazes all around.
From the boxcar to the hay stack, he wanders everywhere,
He never gets back upon the track until he gets a square."

"We three bums, we jolly three bums; we live like royal Turks,
We have good luck, and bum on our chuck, God bless the man that works."

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Aug 04 - 10:14 PM

Cisco Houston sings THE GREAT AMERICAN BUM on "The Folkways Years 1944-1961," Smithsonian Folkways CD 40059, 1994. On that album, it is attributed to "M. McClintock." There is a sound sample at allmusic.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum
From: GUEST,John Canada
Date: 18 Aug 04 - 07:42 AM

Harry Mcclintock "The Great American Bum" CD D082 is available from Britain from "the British Archive of Country Music", http://bacm.users.btopenworld.com/CD-details5.html. 22 of his records, restored, including both "Bum" songs, "the Big Rock Candy Mountain" and a few I've never heard of.

John

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Great American Bum
From: GUEST,John Canada
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 07:28 PM

A Harry McClintock compilation was issued on CD in 1990, but I don't think it's available now. I see "Bum Song" listed on e-bay, but it turns out to ne the original 78 of "Bum Song No.2.
I'll bet a diligent search of the web would turn up a CD for sale or a download, though.

John

Subject: RE: Great American Bum
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 03:43 AM

Are the McClintock recordings available on CD, John?
-Joe Offer-