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Lyr Req: Rosin the Beau parodies

08 Sep 99 - 03:26 PM (#112546)
Subject: Rosin the Beau Parodies
From: paddymac

I'm interested in trying to develop a list of parodies written to the tune used in "Old Rosin The Beau". My search of the DT and Forum threads turned up the following: Old Rosin the Beau (allegedly first published in the US in 1838, but very likey much older); Lincoln & Liberty, Too; Down In the Willow Garden (although the lyrics posted don't seem to be a good fit to the tune); The Ancient & Old Irish Condom; Old Settlers' Song (WA state song); Acres of Clams (by Charlie King); The Catalpa; He's The Man For Me; Men of the West; and apparently a west-coast version also called Acres of Clams.

I've found references that it was used for at least 4 different political campaigns, including Lincoln, Clay, and Grant. Lincoln's version is noted above. The "He's the Man For Me" is likely one of them, but no idea whose.

The tune was also used for "The Boys of Kilmichael".

I would be appreciative of anyone who might be able to expand this list, especially if they can post lyrics.

08 Sep 99 - 10:03 PM (#112661)
Subject: Lyr Add: YE JOLLY YOUNG LADS OF OHIO
From: raredance

Here's two from the 1840 election campaign between Martin Van Buren and William Henry Harrison (Old Tippecanoe). Harrison won the election, but his administration was short-lived.

YE JOLLY YOUNG LADS OF OHIO

Ye jolly young lads of Ohio,
And all ye sick Jackson men too,
Come out from among the Van party,
And vote for old Tippecanoe.

CHORUS:
And vote for old Tippecanoe,And vote for old Tippecanoe
Come out from among the Van party, And vote for old Tippecanoe.

The great Twenty-Second is coming, And the Vanjacks begin to look blue,
They know there's no chance for poor Marty, If we stick to old Tippecanoe.
If we stick...etc.

I therefore will give you a warning, Not that any good it will do,
For I'm certain you all are a going, To vote for old Tippecanoe.
To vote for..etc.

Then let us be up and a doing, And cling to our cause brave and true,
I'll bet you a fortune we'll beat them, With the hero of Tippecanoe.
With the hero etc.

Good men from the Vanjacks are dying, Which makes them look kinder askew,
For they see the are joining the standard, With the Hero of Tippecanoe.
With the Hero etc.

The say the he lived in a cabin, And lived on old hard cider too,
Well, what if he did, I'm certain, he's the Hero of Tippecanoe.
He's the Hero etc

Then let us all go to Columbus, And form a procession or two,
And I tell you the Vanjacks will startle, At the sound of Old Tippecanoe.
At the sound etc.

As for one I'm fully determined, To go, let it rain, hail or snow,
And do what we can in the battle, For the Hero of Tippecanoe.
For the Hero etc.

And if we get any ways thirsty, I'll tell you what we can do,
We'll bring down a keg of hard Cider, And drink to Old Tippecanoe.
And drink etc.

LITTLE VANNY

You can't make a song to Van Buren, Because his long name will not do;
There's nothing about him allurin', As there is about Tippecanoe.

He never was seen in a battle, Where bullet and cannon shot flew,
His nerves would be shocked with the rattle Of a contest like Tippecanoe.

While Harrison march'd to the border- Sly Van staid at home as you know,
Afraid of the smell of gun-powder - Then hurrah for Old Tippecanoe.

Little Matt was too tender a dandy, to shoulder a musket and go
Where Harrison battled so handy, As he did when at Tippecanoe.

But snug in his pretty silk stockings, And dressed in his broadcloth all new,
He roasted his shins in a parlour - Not fighting like Tippecanoe.

And now with his gold spoons and dishes, He lives like a king with his crew,
He'll feast on the loaves and the fishes, Till we put in Old Tippecanoe.

rich r

08 Sep 99 - 10:33 PM (#112674)
Subject: RE: Rosin the Beau Parodies
From: T in Oklahoma

There was another one in the 1960s or 1970s, which included the words "I went to a few socialist meetings/ and wore every concievable pin,/ but now I am older and wiser/ and that's why I'm turning you in."

Does anyone know the title and author of that one ?

08 Sep 99 - 10:36 PM (#112675)
Subject: Lyr Add: DEMOCRATIC ODE
From: raredance

In 1844 the Whigs nominated Henry Clay. The Democrats after a bitter convention nominated the dark horse James Polk. The Whigs had a new symbol, the coon, and had the best songs, they had their own song books including the "National Clay Minstrel and Frelinghuysen Melodist" and the "Whig Banner Melodist" An observer at the Whig convention reported bands of musicians dressed in deer skins and coon skin hats and assemblies of people on street corners engaged in the patriotic duty of singing "coon songs" from the songsters. The observer wryly noted that "The Whigs now say that the people have decided that Clay shall be the President....and it is only necessary that they should sing him into the Presidency". Among their best songs was "Harry Clay and Frelinghuysen" to the tune of "Old Dan Tucker". They had some other good jibes at the Democrats including "A Pig-In-A-Polk" and "The Loco Polk-o Convention". The Democrats songs were not as good but they won the election. This "Democratic Ode" was printed in the Richmond Enquirer, July 26, 1844.

DEMOCRATIC ODE (tune: Rosin the Bow)

November election is coming, To arms all true Democrats rise;
Fear not the loud braying and drumming, In which all Whig argument lies.

All over the country, the rally, Of Democrats gladdens the land;
They gather from mountain and valley - Whole armies are on every hand.

Our Polk is the Joshua blowing, the blast that to victory calls;
Around the last time he is going, And tumbling are Whiggery's walls.

The sun in his course need not tarry, For Polk to encompass his foe;
One moment to charge - and Old Harry Is sent to the regions below.

The Whigs obtained power and station, By thousands of promises made;
Deceived and defrauded the nation, And its best interests betrayed.

To millions they promised in '40, Roast beef and two dollars per day;
And many a working man thought he Might trust in the promise of Clay.

But when the election was over, Hear how the duped voter laments;
The lead nags were rolling in clover - The others outside of the fence.

rich r

08 Sep 99 - 11:06 PM (#112685)
Subject: Lyr Add: LOVE ME I'M A LIBERAL (Phil Ochs)
From: raredance

The 60's song is Phil Ochs' "Love Me I'm A Liberal". I didn't find the lyrics in the DT, so I will add them below. The first three lines of the tune parallel "Rosin the Bow" but then the Ochs melody goes in a different direction.

LOVE ME I'M A LIBERAL (Phil Ochs, 1965)

I cried when shot Medgar Evers; tears ran down my spine.
And I cried when they shot Mister Kennedy as though I'd lost a father of mine.
But Malcolm X got what was coming, got what he asked for this time.
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal.

I go to the Civil Rights rallies, and I put down the old D.A.R.
I love Harry and Sidney and Sammy, hope every colored boy becomes a star.
But don't talk about revolution, that's going a little bit too far.
So love me....

I cheered when Humphrey was chosen; my faith in the system restored.
And I'm glad that the Commies were thrown out from the AFL-CIO Board.
And I love Puerto Ricans and Negroes, as long as they don't move next door.
So love me....

Oh the people of Old Mississippi should all hang their heads in shame.
Now I can't understand how their minds work; what's the matter, don't they watch Les Crane?
But if you ask me to bus my children, I hope the cops take down your name.
So love me...

Yes I read New Republic and Nation; I've learned to take every view.
I've memorized Lerner and Golden; I feel like I'm almost a Jew.
But when it comes to Asian guerillas, there's no one more Red, White and Blue.
So love me....

I vote for the Democratic Party; they want the UN to be strong.
I attend all the Pete Seeger concerts, he sure gets me singing those songs.
And I'll send all the money you ask for, but don't ask me to come on along.
So love me...

Sure, once I was young and impulsive; I wore every conceivable pin,
Even went to Socialist meetings, learned all the old Union hymns.
Ah, but I've grown older and wiser, and that's why I'm turning you in.
So love me....

This was originally on the "Phil Ochs In Concert" album and reappeared on the compilations "Chords of Fame" and "Farewells and Fantasies"

rich r

09 Sep 99 - 12:02 AM (#112693)
Subject: RE: Rosin the Beau Parodies
From: dick greenhaus

If you type *ROSINBOW in the DigiTrad searchbox, you'll get a list of the songs we have to that tune (the asterisk is a woildcard representing the cryptic characters ahead of the tune filename)

09 Sep 99 - 02:35 PM (#112889)
Subject: RE: Rosin the Beau Parodies
From: paddymac

rich r & T in Ok - Thanks very much. How about submitting those lyrice for the DT? dick g - thanks. I had looked under "rosin the bow", but your tip turned up additional songs. Also tries *rosinbeau but that query came up empty.

Here's a list of 18 songs found/contributed so far:

01. Acres of Apples 02. Acres of Clams 03. Ancient and Old Irish Condom 04. Boys of Kilmichael 05. Catalpa 06. Democratic Ode 07. Down in the Willow Garden 08. He's the Man for Me 09. Liberty Ball 10. Lincoln and Liberty 11. Little Vanny 12. Love Me I'm a Liberal 13. Men of the West 14. Old Settler's Song; aka Acres of Clams 15. Paddle My Own Canoe 16. Rosin the Bow; aka Old RTB or RT Beau or Old RTB 17. Self-Employed Worker 18. Ye Jolly Young Lads of Ohio

What an incredible family this is!

10 Sep 99 - 12:13 AM (#113095)
Subject: RE: Rosin the Beau Parodies
From: dick greenhaus

With a bit of modification, there's also Wreck on the Highway.

10 Sep 99 - 12:47 AM (#113099)
Subject: RE: Rosin the Beau Parodies
From: paddymac

dick g - any lyrics for "Wreck on the Highway"? Learned of another tonight called "Denver". 1st phrase: "Well I pulled out of Denver at midnight, -----" I'll track down the rest of it over the weekend (I hope). Thanks All! And please, keep them cards and letters coming (metaphorically, of course).

10 Sep 99 - 12:52 AM (#113102)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE AGRARIAN BALL
From: raredance

Ah,Paddymac, I'm not through yet.

Here's one that comes out of the land reform movement of the mid 1800's that ultimately lead to the Homestead Act of 1862 where anybody could get free land to farm by settling on it.

THE AGRARIAN BALL (printed in: Working Man's Advocate, May 18, 1844)

Come all you true friends of the Nation,
Attend to humanity's call,
Come aid in your country's salvation
And roll on th' Agrarian Ball.

Ye Democrats come to the rescue,
And keep on the glorious cause,
And millions hereafter will bless you,
With heart cheering song of applause.

Come Whigs bid adieu to hard cider
And boldly step into the ranks.
To spread the proud banner still wider
Upset all the rascally banks.

And when we have form'd the blest union,
We'll all firmly march on, one and all;
We'll shout when we meet in communion,
And roll on th' Agrarian Ball.

Th' Agrarian army's advancing,
The Monopoly of Land to destroy;
The glad eye of beauty is dancing,
Her heart's overflowing with joy.

How can you stand halting, while beauty
Is sweetly appealing to all,
Then come to the standard of duty,
And roll on th' Agrarian Ball.

source: American Labor Songs of the Nineteenth Century by Phuilip S. Foner, 1975 University of Illinois Press.

rich r

10 Sep 99 - 03:35 AM (#113120)
Subject: RE: Rosin the Beau Parodies
From: Martin _Ryan

Many years ago I had a manuscript collection of songs compiled by a relative of mine around the period 1916-20. Among them was one called "The Help and the aid of Japan". This was a satirical look at moves to involve Japan on the side of the allies in the First World War. No tune was given but it almost certainly Resin the Bow (...now, don't start that argument again....). The chorus went something like:

With the help and the aid of Japan
We'll accomplish the freedom of man
We'll carry on yet, 'til to frazzle we're beat
With the help and the age aid of Japan!

I suspect the author may have been Peadar Kearney who wrote God Bless England and the Irish National Anthem , amongst many others.

Regards

10 Sep 99 - 05:18 AM (#113127)
Subject: RE: Rosin the Beau Parodies
From: Martin Ryan

AID not AGE! Maybe the age is getting to me.....

Regards

10 Sep 99 - 06:41 AM (#113131)
Subject: RE: Rosin the Beau Parodies
From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca

Here are three more for you:

GREEN BOOK OF PAGAN SONGS Has a song called Witches Creed
SETI Songbook: Cosmic Carl Not sure if this is classed as a parody
The Irregulars

10 Sep 99 - 01:58 PM (#113205)
Subject: Lyr Add: OLD HAL O' THE WEST
From: raredance

Here we go back to the election of 1844 between Henry Clay (Whig) and James Polk (Democrat). Henry Clay was also known as the "Miller Boy of The Slashes" because the area around his birthplace in Hanover County, Virginia was know as The Slashes. "Locos" was nickname given to the Democrats going back to the mid `1830's, it's a truncated form of "Loco-Foco"

OLD HAL O' THE WEST

Rouse all ye brave lads of old '40
Ye Locos, my song ye'll enjoy,
We'll sing of the noble old Statesman,
Who rose from an orphan "Mill-Boy"

The son of a poor, humble freeman,
In Columbia, the land of the blest!
He rose 'mid the world's admiration,
Hail, gallant old Hal o' the West.

His name is his country's own glory,
As hist'ry will truly attest -
From Maine to the far Southern border,
'Tis gallant old Hal o' the West.

His country now weeps for her faithful,
Her wisest, her bravest and best;
Who quelled the foul demon of carnage?
'Twas noble olf Hal o' the West.

So, freemen, come on to the rally,
This motto emblzaons your crest:
"That lone star of Hope yet is shining,
It lightens the skies in the West.

Hark! freedom peals far in her thunder,
Her lightning no force can arrest,
She drives the foul army asunder.
"Hail, gallant old Hal o' the West!"

rich r

10 Sep 99 - 10:32 PM (#113291)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE MILL-BOY OF THE SLASHES
From: raredance

STill stuck in 1844, here's another one from the Clay campaign.

THE MILL-BOY OF THE SLASHES

Come forward, ye brave sons of Neptune,
Come forward without more delay
And rally around your protector,
The Statesman, the Patriot, Clay.

The colors that float at the mast-head,
Lo! these are the words heard say,
Should be the credentials of seamen -
They fell from the lips of great Clay.

To talk about titles, all trash is,
Each candid observer will say,
When he sees the Mill-Boy of the Slashes,
Transformed to the great Harry Clay.

There we'll hail him our noble commander,
Stand by him by night and by day
At the helm of the ship of the Nation,
We'll be safe while conducted by Clay.

There are many who seek this honor,
But to such every freeman should say,
You'll first stand aside my good fellows,
And leave a clear field for Hal Clay.

There's Lindenwald's farming magician,
Reclaiming his bags for this hay,
Has lately defined his position,
And entered the field against Clay.

But he'll soon have occasion to rue it,
Whatever the solons may say -
For Martin Van Buren can't come it,
When pitted against Harry Clay.

This song was obviously written before the Democrats had their convention and everyone assumed that Martin Van Buren would be the nominee. Van Buren stubbed his toe by opposing the annexation of Texas (looking back over history was Marty wise beyond his years? No Texas = no Kennedy assasination, no LBJ, no George W., no Lonestar beer, no "Texas" toast, no Dallas Cowboys, no Ross Perot, need I go on?) The tumultuous convention went to nine ballots before James Polk was nominated by acclamation. Polk's name wasn't even under consideration until the 7th ballot.

10 Sep 99 - 11:02 PM (#113300)
Subject: Lyr Add: OLD ROSIN, THE BEAU (2)^^
From: raredance

This one doesn't count as a parody, but it definitely belongs because it is a variant of the song that inspired the parodies.

OLD ROSIN, THE BEAU (2)

I live for the good of my nation,
And my sons are all growing low,
But I hope that my next generation
Will remember Old Rosin, the beau.
I've travelled this country, all over
And now to the next I will go;
Fo I know that good quarters await me,
To welcom old Rosin, the beau.

In the gay round of pleasure I've travelled,
Nor will I behind leave a foe;
And when my companions are jovial,
They will drink to old Rosin, the beau.
But my life is now drawn to a closing,
And all will at last be so:
So we'll take a full bumper at parting,
To the name of old Rosin, the beau.

When I'm dead and laid out on the counter,
The people all making a show,
Just sprinkle plain whiskey and water
On the corpse of old Rosin, the beau.
I'll have to be buried, I reckon,
And the ladies will all want to know,
And they'll lift up the lid of my coffin,
Saying,"Here lies old Rosin, the beau."

Oh! when to my grave I am going,
The children will all want to go;
They'll run to the doors and the windows,
SAying, "There goes old Rosin, the beau."
Then pick me out six trusty fellows,
And let them all stand in a row,
And dig a big hole in a circle,
And in it toss Rosin, the beau.

Then shape me out two little donochs,
Place one at my head and my toe,
And do not forget to scratch on it
The name of old Rosin, the beau.
Then let those six trusty good fellows,
Oh! let them all stand in a row,
And take dow that big bellied bottle,
And drink to old Rosin, the beau.

This version was printed by Sigmund Spaeth, "Read 'Em And Weep", 1926. The second four lines of each verse are sung to the tune usually used for the chorus and there is no repetitive line chorus.

rich r^^

11 Sep 99 - 07:28 AM (#113368)
Subject: RE: Rosin the Beau Parodies
From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca

Found a couple more of interest:

Acres of Limelighters
Acres of Clams Anti-Nuke Lyrics by Arlo Guthrie - Earth Songs

11 Sep 99 - 02:42 PM (#113436)
Subject: Lyr Add: TYLER AND TIPPECANOE
From: raredance

The "Acres of Clams" anti-nuke version was written by Charlie King (as is indicated on the link) above. It was recorded by Pete Seeger on "Sing-a-long, Live at the Saunders Theater, CAmbridge MA 1980." I was going to type that one in this morning, but George found a link so I don't have to. thanks, George. I had totally forgotten about Acres of Limeliters.

Meanwhile back in the 19th century, here's another set of lyrics from the infamous 1840 election campaign. This campaign was mostly P.R. as neither party distinguished itself with issues and the Whigs themselves were so split that they oipted not to write a platform. Instead they cranked out songs. This one is derived from a songster called "Log Cabin and Hard Cider Melodies". A recorded version can be found on "Election Songs of the United States" by Oscar Brand (Folkways FH 5280, 1960)

TYLER AND TIPPECANOE

Now the Whigs at the coming election
Will carry our candidate through,
They've made the judicious selection
Of Tyler and Tippecanoe.

They say that he lives in a cabin
And that he drinks hard cider too
Well what if he does, I am certain
Of Tyler and Tippecanoe.

The spoilsmen are leaving their party
Where prospect for office is blue
Not wishing to stick by poor Marty
They'll change for old Tippecanoe.

Again and again fill your glasses
Bid Martin Van Buren adieu
We'll now please ourselves and our lasses
And we'll vote for old Tippecanoe.

So let us be up and a doing
And cling to our cause brave and true
I'll bet you a fortune we'll beat them
With the Hero of Tippecanoe.

rich r

11 Sep 99 - 04:00 PM (#113443)
Subject: Lyr Add: ROSIN THE BOW
From: raredance

Here is a version where "Rosin the Bow" is both a person and something that fiddlers do. Notice that the usual drinking images are absent from this version. Old Rosin still dies in the end but he's a nice guy not a drunk. ONe wonders if this set of lyrics was penned so that Temperence minded people could sing the tune that everybody else was singing and still maintain their convictions.

ROSIN THE BOW

I've always been cheerful and easy,
And scarce have I heeded a foe,
While some after money run crazy,
I merrily Rosin'd the Bow.

Some youngsters were panting for fashions,
Some new kick seemed now all the go,
But having no turbulent passions,
My motto was "Rosin the Bow."

So kindly my parents besought me,
No longer a roving to go,
And friends whom I thought had forgot me,
With gladness met Rosin the Bow.

My young days I spent all in roving,
But never was vicious, no, no;
But somehow I loved to keep moving,
And cheerfully Rosin'd the Bow.

In country or city, no matter,
Too often I never could go,
My presence all sadness would scatter,
So cheerful was Rosin the Bow.

The old people always grew merry,
Young faces with pleasure did glow,
While lips with the red of the cherry,
Sipped "bliss to old Rosin the Bow."

While sweetly I played on my viol,
In measures so soft and so slow,
Old Time stopped the dhade on the dial,
To listen to Rosin the Bow.

And tho my sweet prime I've been spending,
When friendship made glasses ere now,
No pang of remorse is now rending,
The bosom of Rosin the Bow.

And peacefully now I am sinking,
From all this sweet world can bestow,
But Heaven's kind mercy I'm thinking,
Provides for old Rosin the Bow.

Now soon some still Sunday morning,
The first thing the neighbors will know,
Their ears will be met with the warning,
To bury old Rosin the Bow.

My friends will then so neatly dress me,
In linen as white as the snow,
And in my new coffin they'll press me,
And whisper "poor Rosin the Bow."

Then lone with me head on the pillow,
In peace I'll be sleeping below,
The grass and the breeze shaken willow,
That waves over Rosin the Bow.

Lyrics printed in "Popular Songs of Nineteenth-Century America, Complete Original Sheet Music For 64 Songs" by Richard Jackson (Dover 1976).

11 Sep 99 - 05:05 PM (#113452)
Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN SHERMAN MARCHED DOWN TO THE SEA
From: raredance

Wel, I'm hitting the wall on these. This is the last one I have, for now at least. This one was written by one Lt. Byers of the Fifth Iowa Infantry as he was ensconced in a confederate prison camp at Columbia SC. Even though he and his comrades were crowded, cold and hungry, they manged to stay somewhat upbeat because they had a secret information pipeline to the outside and knew that General Sherman's army headed their way. When Sherman took Columbia, helaerned of the lyrics and supposedly sent the author up north. In 1866 a million copies of this song were sold. Lt. Byers received $5 from the original publisher but many publishers simply stole it and used it.

WHEN SHERMAN MARCHED DOWN TO THE SEA by Lt. S.H.M. Byers

Our camp fires shone bright on the mountain,
That frown'd on the river below,
While we stood by our guns in the morning,
And eagerly watched for the foe:
When a horseman rode out from the darkness
That hung over mountain and tree,
And shouted, "Boys, up and be ready,
For Sherman will march to the sea.

When cheer upon cheer for bold Sherman
Went up from each valley and glen,
And the bugles re-echoed the music
That came from the lips of the men -
For we knew that the stars on ou banners,
More bright in their splendor would be
And the blessings from Northland would greet us
When Sherman march'd down to the sea.

Then forward,boys: forward to battle,
We marched on our wearysome way,
And we stormed the wild hills of Resaca,
God bless those who fell on that day!-
Then Kenesaw, dark in its glory,
Frowned down on the flag of the free,
But the East and the West bore her standard
When Sherman marched down to the sea.

Still onward we pressed till our banners
Swept out from Atlanta's grim walls,
And the blood of the patriot dampened
The soil where the traitor's flag falls;
But we paused not to weep for the fallen
Who slept by each river and tree,
Yet we twined them a wreath of the laurel,
And Sherman marched down to the sea.

Proud, proud, was our army that morning
That stood by the cypress and pine,
Then Sherman said, "Boys, you are weary,
This day fair Savannah is mine!"
Then sang we a song for our chieftan,
That echoed o'er river and sea
And the stars on our banners shone brighter
When Sherman marched down to the sea.

rich r

12 Sep 99 - 11:35 AM (#113609)
Subject: RE: Rosin the Beau Parodies
From: Bill D

amazing rich...!! Nice list...I gotta learn a couple of those.

Now, when you are rested a bit, you can start on "Sweet Betsy from Pike"...(no, no..only kidding!!...my drive will only hold 8-10 gigs!)

12 Sep 99 - 10:30 PM (#113749)
Subject: RE: Rosin the Beau Parodies
From: raredance

I was flipping throught the pages of "The Well-Tempered Lyre - Songs & Verse of the Temperence Movement" by George Ewing (1977 Southern Methodist University Press) and came across two verses called "The Temperance Ball" that scanned perfectly into RTB even though no tune was specified. I suspect the lyric is incomplete since Ewing frequently includes only pieces of lyrics that relate to the subject or point he is emphasizing. Closer examination revealed that the two verses are the same as verses 2 & 3 of "The Agrarian Ball" posted above. Both songs came out of the same time period (1840-50's). Which came first? Is "The Temperance Ball" a parody of the RTB parody "The Agrarian Ball" or vice versa. The temperance movement was not averse to using popular tunes even if they were drinking songs and often changed just one word or phrase of another song to "create" a new temperance song. Maybe both swiped the verses from another of the 1840-1844 campaign songs. Ewing cites the as his primary source "The Rose-Bud Songster: Containing a Choice Collection of Patriotic, Comic, Irish, Negro, and Sentimental Songs" published in New York by Richard Marsh and not dated. Ewing says that the contents suggest early 1850's for publication. It had a section of temperance songs along with the categories mentioned in the title. Now if anyone out there has a copy of this lying around, they can add in the complete lyrics to "The Temperance Ball"

Bill D, maybe "Old Dan Tucker" or "Oh Susannah" would be more manageable.

rich r

13 Sep 99 - 01:15 AM (#113798)
Subject: RE: Rosin the Beau Parodies
From: paddymac

Hi all. Been up to my eye balls the last few days and just now getting a chance to check in. What an amazing resource you all are. I'll be down for a day or two but will put up an updated compilation as soon as I can. Thank you all very much!

22 Oct 04 - 10:53 PM (#1304442)
Subject: Lyr Add: The Tale of Two Cities
From: Haruo

The Tale of Two Cities (1898)

Lyrics by Jessie Lee (Reno) Odlin

On the banks of the Mighty Skagit,
In the haunts of the Siwash and slug.
Some time in the early eighties,
Rose a brisk little town, called Bug.

There are tales of the valor and prowess,
Of those knights of the saw and the ax,
Who made through the forest primeval
The first irretraceable tracks,

There are tales of soul-stirring adventure;
Of bears that were bigger than barns;
Of salmon with whalelike proportions—
But I cannot spin all these yarns.

Soon the little town grew so pretentious,
That it no longer fitted its name;
So out of regard for the cedars,
It finally Sedro became.

Now, to the northwestward of Sedro,
Rose Woolley; and lo! there began,
A strife that was long and unhappy—
Raging fiercely, as clan against clan

But Woolley kept creeping southeastward,
And Sedro kept growing northwest
Till it became clear to all people
That peaceable union was best.

So they formally buried the hatchet
And all was henceforward serene;
The two became Sedro-Woolley,
With only a hyphen between.

And I sing of a glorious future,
Well worthy the deeds of the past:
3 cheers for our own Sedro-Woolley,
Long may its prosperity last!

I learned this poem in the early 1960's from my mother and uncle, who had moved away from Sedro-Woolley during the Depression, while they were in their teens. I learned it as a poem, not a song, and it wasn't until the advent of the Internet that I learned the author's name. I learned it without the last stanza, and with several other minor differences in wording (see the HTML code at the linked page for hidden version notes). I was also not aware until fairly recently of the derogatory sense in which "Siwash" was often, perhaps usually, employed by whites. I recommend singing it with a native pronunciation ("shawash") to ameliorate its racist overtones (it is, natively pronounced, the normal Chinuk Wawa term for "Indian"). I began singing the text to "Old Rosin the Beau" on my own, but subsequently discovered it was sung to that tune already in Sedro-Woolley (including in the schools there).
Notes: Siwash: This was a local ethnonym, denotatively synonymous with "(American) Indian". Etymologically, it is derived from French sauvage, via Chinook Jargon (where it is properly shawash), and when used in English by Euroamericans (such as, decidedly, Jessie Odlin) it was presumptively derogatory. Cf. redskin.
Bug: According to local historian Noel Bourasaw, originally the founder of Sedro, Mortimer Cook, wanted to name the town "Cook", but Washington Territory already had one of those, so he named it "Bug" in honor of the mosquitos; later, under pressure from his wife and neighbors, he amended the name to "Cedra", which soon of its own accord became "Sedro".

22 Oct 04 - 11:01 PM (#1304450)
Subject: Lyr Add: Rakonto pri Du Urboj
From: Haruo

Rakonto pri Du Urboj


Esperanto version of "The Tale of Two Cities", tr. Ros' Haruo, 2004

Ĉe l' bord' de l' potenca Skaĝito,
La hejm' de l' limak' kaj ruĝul',
Nelonge post mil okcent okdek
Sin levis vilaĝ', nome «Kul'».

Famiĝis rakontoj pri l' brava
Hakista-segista brigad'
Tranĉinta tra l' praarbarego
Ŝoseon por posta setlad';

Rakontoj pri aventuregoj,
Pri ursoj de doma ampleks',
Pri salmoj balen-dimensiaj,
Kaj mitoj de trolonga spec'.

Kaj baldaŭ, pro sinparademo
Ne taŭgis plu nom' de insekt';
Ĝin oni renomis do «Sedro»
Pro al la cedraro respekt'.

Sed nordokcidente de Sedro,
Jen Woolley leviĝis, kaj jam
Ekflagris daŭrema luktado
Feroca, najbara malam'.

Sed Woolley rampadis al Sedro,
Kaj Sedro repuŝis sen ĉes'
Ĝis ĉiuj preferis futuron
De paco kaj de unuec'.

Do formale la sago rompiĝis,
Ekregis trankvila kviet',
Kaj nun inter Sedro-kaj-Woolley
Dividas nur unu streket'.

Kaj mi kantas ĉar gloran futuron
La pasintec' donos al ni
Tri huraojn do por Sedro-Woolley,
Prosperu eterne plu ĝi!

23 Oct 04 - 02:43 PM (#1304938)
Subject: RE: Rosin the Beau Parodies
From: frogprince

I'm sure I've heard far more lyrics set to this tune than to any other melody; I only think of them as "parodies" to the degree they fool around with or satyrize the original lyric. That said, I'm going to venture out of my comfort zone enough to put a piece of my own here for the first time; I have no delusions about this making anybody's top 40. but for what it's worth:

For the Unnoticed Heroes

When I was young, so were my heroes;
Now those who are left have grown old;
I hope that the young will find heroes,
To teach them that they can be bold.

One hero may take up a rifle, to fight for the truth and stand bold;
Another may grow old in prison,
Because of some truth he has told.

A hero may die to save others; there's no greater gift one can give;
But sometimes it takes a true hero
To shoulder life's burdens and live.

Some heroes bring something of heaven,
to places touched too much by hell;
Some of them spend all their days caring,
For those who will never get well.

A hero may be any person whose honor you know you can trust;
A hero may be a brave lady   who chooses her seat on the bus.

A hero may be tall and handsome, well-favored and visibly strong;
But my hat is off to the hero, who changes our hearts with a song.

A hero makes up no excuses; a hero asks no guarantees;
Some heroes create timeless beauty,
With paint brushes gripped in their teeth.

When I was young, so were my heroes;
Now those who are left have grown old;
But this world still holds countless heroes.
Each one is more precious than gold.

24 Oct 04 - 02:24 PM (#1305748)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rosin the Beau parodies
From: Rabbi-Sol

Oscar Brand used to sing one called "For Lincoln and Liberty Too"

                                                    SOL ZELLER

23 Apr 13 - 02:55 AM (#3507487)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rosin the Beau parodies
From: GUEST,Norah

Don't know if anyone is still looking at this (I just found it), but here's a (link) to the lyrics to "Denver", which was recorded by the New Christy Minstrels in 1963 to this same tune:

And here's a link to the song on YouTube.

23 Apr 13 - 10:55 AM (#3507723)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rosin the Beau parodies
From: Haruo

Hi, Norah, the way the Mudcat works is if you post to a thread, no matter how old, it comes to the top of the heap, and is at least potentially brought to the attention of any who may be interested, whether they were involved in it back in aught-four or not.

The Northwest Seaport Chantey Sing this month, the first half closed with a thoroughly moving rendition of "Lay of the Old Settler" led by Tom Rawson. It felt like the National Anthem only much better.

Thanks for the links!

Haruo

23 Apr 13 - 03:56 PM (#3507890)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rosin the Beau parodies
From: Jim McLean

I used the tune for the first part of Seven Deadly Sins which I wrote for the Dubliners .. 1968?

24 Apr 13 - 02:01 AM (#3508062)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rosin the Beau parodies
From: Haruo

Good job, too, Jim! (YouTube)