Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)

18 Oct 99 - 10:59 AM (#125146)
Subject: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: voyager

Oscar Brand has a CD entitled "Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996). I found it at Amazon via this lonnnnnnng URL -->

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ts/music-tracks/B00000IWN9/ref=pm_dp_ln_m_1/002-2284768-0869836

I'm interested in talking with Mudcatter's about this 'every-four-year' song cycle. Reason for my interest was a visit last weekend to the estate of FRANKLIN PIERCE in Hillsborough, New Hampshire.

The lyrics to the 1856 campaign tune 'Pierce and King' included the punchy line...."We're all a bunch of locos!"

Tim Weil (aka voyager) East Silver Spring, MD.

---

18 Oct 99 - 05:08 PM (#125313)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: paddymac

Voyager - There was an earlier thread on "parodies of Rosin the Beau/Bow" which turned up several such parodies used for Presidential campaigns, including those of William Henry Harrison, Martin van Buren, Henry Clay, Abe Lincoln and (i think) Grant. I think the notion of electoral use of popular songs (not just in presidential campaigns) is a fascinating bit of americana. Thanks for starting this thread.

---

18 Oct 99 - 08:19 PM (#125373)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From:

O. Brand is notorious for changing originals. Take a look at Irwin Silber's 'Songs America Voted By', 1971. Covers 1788-1968, maybe not completely.

---

18 Oct 99 - 08:44 PM (#125379)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: raredance

I looked at the track list on the CD. 43 songs is a lot. Anyone know if they are more or less complete songs or only a verse and chorus of each? In the realm of election songs I would call attention to Oscar Brand's earlier relase on Folkways in 1963 titled "Election Songs of the United States" (FH 5280). I fully expected the CD to be the same with a couple of recent additions. However as best as I can tell only the first and last tracks appear to overlap. They are the same on both the record and the CD. There are 26 songs on the record and given the increased space on a CD, it is quite possible that all 43 are fairly complete.

Also of note is a two record set recorded for Folkways by Peter Janofsky in 1980. They are called "Winners and Losers: Campaign Songs from the Critical Elections in American History. Vol. I 1800-1876" and "...Vol. II 1896-1976" (FSS 37260 and 37261). I only have Vol II but it is quite good with extensive commentary included (13 page booklet).

Finally a fantastic book (from which I pulled several of the Rosin the Bow parodies in another thread. I will try to add more [not rosinbow] as I get time to type them) "Music for Patriots, Politicians, and Presidents. Harmonies and Discords of the First Hundred Years" by Vera Brodsky Lawrence, 1975 Macmillan (isbn 0-02-569390-5). The book goes up to 1876 and is about 480 pages. That is a lot of material.

rich r

---

18 Oct 99 - 11:20 PM (#125412)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Pete Peterson

Best one I know is the one written AFTER the man won-- "Franklin D. Roosevelt's Back Again" in 1936. Other side is "The Democratic Donkey (Is Back in His Stall Again)-- Bill Cox. He must have owned a Martin

---

04 Aug 00 - 08:36 PM (#271661)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Lonesome EJ

---

04 Aug 00 - 08:39 PM (#271663)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Mbo

Blaine! Blaine! James P. Blaine! The monumental liar from the state of Maine!

---

04 Aug 00 - 08:43 PM (#271665)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Sorcha

Is "Hand Me Down My Walkin' Cane" on it? Think it was an FDR song, don't remember which year, but after the polio.

---

04 Aug 00 - 08:48 PM (#271669)
Subject: Lyr Add: LINCOLN AND LIBERTY^^^
From: Lonesome EJ

This thread started last year, but petered out fairly quick. I heard Oscar Brand on TV not long ago, and was intrigued by these songs. He said that the Bush Campaign of '88 had used Woody's This Land is Your Land, which I believe Mr Guthrie would have found very interesting. This is one of my favorites

LINCOLN AND LIBERTY
(Jesse Hutchinson)

Hurrah for the choice of the nation,
Our chieftain so brave and so true,
We'll go for the great reformation,
For Lincoln and Liberty, too!

We'll go for the son of Kentucky
The hero of Hoosierdom through,
The pride of the "Suckers" so lucky,
For Lincoln and Liberty, too!

They'll find what by felling and mauling,
Our railmaker statesman can do;
For the people are everywhere calling
For Lincoln and Liberty too.

Then up with the banner so glorious,
The star-spangled red, white, and blue,
We'll fight till our banner's victorious,
For Lincoln and Liberty, too.

Our David's good sling is unerring,
The Slavocrat's giant he slew,
Then shout for the freedom preferring,
For Lincoln and Liberty, too.

We'll go for the son of Kentucky,
The hero of Hoosierdom through,
The pride of the "Suckers" so lucky,
For Lincoln and Liberty, too.

Wondering if anyone knows the significance of the term "suckers" in this song? It appears to be positive in the song's context.

Does anyone have any other interesting Campaign Songs? Brand sang a snippet of one called Get on a Raft with Taft that conjured a pretty bizarre picture considering Taft weighed about 350 pounds.

---

05 Aug 00 - 01:34 AM (#271779)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Peter Kasin

There was Frank Sinatra singing High Hopes for the JFK campaign.

---

05 Aug 00 - 10:02 AM (#271877)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: GUEST,guest

Typing "president" in the DT search box brings up a good list with several campaign songs...

---

05 Aug 00 - 11:19 AM (#271892)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Sourdough

About sucker:

I've wondered about that myself so the qetion today sent me to the OED.

"b. U.S. An inhabitant of the state of Illinois. For the alleged origin of the term see quot. 1833.

"1833 C. F. Hoffman Winter in Far West (1835) I. 207 There was a long-haired 'hooshier' from Indiana, a couple of smart-looking 'suckers' from the southern part of Illinois, a keen-eyed leather-belted 'badger' from the mines of Ouisconsin. [note, So called after the fish of that name, from his going up the river to the mines, and returning at the season when the sucker makes its migrations]."

It really isn't clear but I think it means that the Illinois suckers got there name from the migratory habits of the fish called suckers.

---

05 Aug 00 - 12:44 PM (#271917)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Sorcha

LEJ, is the tune to your words, "Rosin the Beau/Bow"? Seems to fit.

---

05 Aug 00 - 01:28 PM (#271926)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Mbo

Ronald Reagan wanted to use "Pink Houses" by John Mellencamp as his campaign song. John refused to let him. Good song anyway. Me & my sister love it!

--Matt

---

05 Aug 00 - 01:46 PM (#271928)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Lonesome EJ

Sourdough, great research. I wonder if the term is still used in that area at all.

Sorcha, I think you are right about "Rosin the Bow" for the Lincoln tune.

Reagan also attempted to co-opt Springsteen's Born in the USA over Bruce's objections. What's the matter...no Republicans writing good songs?

There was an anti-Cleveland song that went
"Ma...Ma...where's my Pa?"
"Gone to the White House!Ha ha ha!"
This alluded to Cleveland's alleged fathering of a son out of wedlock. He was a bachelor when he entered the White House and the rap on him was he was a draft-dodging womanizer.(sound familiar?) He had paid a Polish Immigrant to substitute for him in the Union Army during the Civil War. Anyone have the rest of the tune?

---

05 Aug 00 - 09:08 PM (#272083)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Shanti

And the ever popular--Jefferson and Liberty

The gloomy night before us flies Its reign of terror now is o'er Its gags, inquisitors and spies Its herds of harpies are no more. Rejoice Columbia's sons rejoice To tyrants never bend the knee But join with heart and soul and voice For Jefferson and Liberty!

And that's only the first verse!

---

05 Aug 00 - 09:30 PM (#272102)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Lonesome EJ

Shanti...since Jefferson was running against his arch-rival Adams, one wonders if "the gloomy night" refers to the British oppression, or to Adams' presidency. Adams,like Washington,was a strong federalist of the Hamilton school,believing in a centralized government and the leadership of the educated elite. Jefferson was a professed believer in the power of the common man, and was a supporter of States Rights.

---

06 Aug 00 - 11:46 AM (#272352)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: gillymor

Thanks for posting the lyrics to Lincoln and Liberty, LEJ. Ronnie Gilbert, formerly of the Weavers, sings a wonderful, rowsing version along with Jay Ungar and co. on Ken Burns Songs of the Civil War to the tune of Rosin the Beau. Interestingly, the Great Liberator later suspended the writ of Habeus Corpus.

Frankie

---

06 Aug 00 - 12:23 PM (#272377)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: gillymor

...should read Great Emancipator. My favorite prez, even if he was a #%$&*! Republican.

---

07 Aug 00 - 10:10 AM (#272827)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Jacob B

The term "Locos" in the Franklin Pierce song at the top of the thread undoubtedly is a shortening of "locofocos." This was a nickname for Democrats at one time.

Here's a pseudo-campaign song from an editorial cartoon several years ago:

Born on a mountain top in Kansas state
Changed his name when he was only eight
Kennedy's the one he emulates
And now he's the Democratic candidate
Gary, Gary Hartpence
King of the new frontier

---

15 Aug 00 - 01:49 PM (#278257)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Rex

Well I thought "Hunters of Kentucky" was for Andrew Jackson.

Rex

---

15 Aug 00 - 08:58 PM (#278487)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Irish sergeant

You are indeed right about Lincoln and Liberty. The term sucker as used in this context denotes someone from the state of Illinois. (Just as Hoosierdom is a term for Indiana. Hoosier being the nickname for people from that state.0 And Paddymac, you're right about the tune it does come from Rosin the Beau. Kindest reguards, Neil

---

15 Aug 00 - 10:11 PM (#278506)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Lonesome EJ

Jacob....I thought the Locofocos was the original name for the Whig party. I do know that Locofocos were a brand of safety match. This off-shoot party was meeting in a hotel owned by a political rival who shut off the gaslights when he found out what they were up to. They continued their meeting with the aid of a box of Locofocos.

---

16 Aug 00 - 12:48 AM (#278600)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: WyoWoman

Si Kahn has a great song on his "New Wood" CD:

Talking Politican

Just as long as I can remember
Every four years about November
Folks that wouldn't talk to me on the street
Are coming in my house wiping their feet
Kissing my wife, kissing my babies
Well, I guess they'd even kiss my old mule
If I hadn't voted for Roosevelt.

(and so on ... about them showing up for a few weeks and then disappearing for the next four years ...)
"The hand you shook behind the plow
That hand is in your pocket now
You look for your mule and find it's missing
Better start hunting that politician ...

When I was a newspaper editor I wanted to use it to introduce our election coverage, with a line or two at the beginning of each story over the course of a few weeks. But I guess that wasn't showing proper respect. Journalism isn't nearly as fun as it was back in the "yellow" days.

ww

---

16 Aug 00 - 03:16 AM (#278646)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Joe Offer

Hey, I was looking for something else at the Levy Sheet Music site, and I came across this gem: B-I-Double-L Bill (Bill Taft, that is).
In fact, if you search for "campaign" at (click) you'll find 117 songs. Sha-ZAM!!!
-Joe Offer-

---

16 Aug 00 - 09:46 AM (#278783)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Jacob B

LEJ, as far as I can tell, it was the Democratic Party, in 1834. Here's a link to a dictionary entry for locofoco, which has a bit of information about it.

Jacob

---

16 Aug 00 - 01:21 PM (#278940)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: voyager

---

16 Aug 00 - 01:30 PM (#278946)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: voyager

Glad to see this thread back in play..... Couple of comments seem relevant....

1. MUDCAT Mass Mailing - I for one believe that the current Gush/Bore P-residential Can-pains should be invalidated for not providing official Theme Songs for this year's election. Given the historical precedents of the last 42 office-holders, a Can-pain song is a requirement. WRITE YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER!

2. Re: FRANKLIN PIERCE (& locofocos) the rousing chorus for The Old Granite State rang true -

We're a band of locos, we're a band of locos, We're a band of locos & we'll shout with Pierce & King

3. Mudcat Message Editors !!!(now this is serious) How the heck can I post a note to this conference without the text extending beyond normal carriage returns??

voyager FSGW Ghetto East Silver Spring, MD

---

01 Nov 00 - 08:30 AM (#331803)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: voyager

Here's an update on the Music Behind the Candidates By my way of handicapping the tone of this election, I'm afraid Dubya has surged into the populist musical lead -

Title - "We the People" Candidate - GW Bush http://www.heavytruck.com/hdt/newsarch.html#000803.5648

Title - "Al Gore Song" Candidate - Guess Who http://artists.mp3s.com/artist_song/834/834610.html NOTE: this unofficial campaign song replaces 2 previous campaign remarks -

March 2000 - 'we ain't got no song' August 2000 - 'You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet' (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) September 2000 - 'You Can Call Me Al'

Title - Unknown Candidate - Nader Lyric 'Put on you old green bonnet, the one with Nader on it....." NOTE: sung by a Green Party volunteer at local street festival.

Title - Candidate - Buchanan NOTE: fuggetaboutit

voyager FSGW Ghetto

---

01 Nov 00 - 09:50 AM (#331858)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: Kim C

I know little about Hunters of Kentucky, but its tune, the 8th Of January, we have already explored in several other threads - it was written to commemmorate Jackson's victory over the British at the Battle of NEw Orleans, January 8, 1815.

The Lester S. Levy Collection of historic sheet music has a bunch of presidential campaign songs. I'm sorry I don't know the URL but if you search for "Lester S. Levy" you will find it right off. :)

---

02 Nov 00 - 10:45 AM (#332743)
Subject: Lyr Add: IF HE'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR LINDY
From: dick greenhaus

IF HE'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR LINDY

Charles Lindbergh flew his plane
All the way to France
Most of the way he flew
By the seat of his pants
Good old American know-how
That's the right way to be
And if he's good enough for Lindy,
He's good enough for me!

cho: If he's good enough for Lindy, he's good enough for me
If he's good enough for Lindy, he's good enough for me
If he's good enough for Lindy, he's good enough for me
Herbert Hoover is the only man to be our nation's chief.

Charles Lindbergh flew his plane to France
To see what he could see,
Now he's back he's looking at
Our old country.
Now what he has to say stands out in bold relief
Herbert Hoover is the only man to be our nation's chief.

Now you all remember Hoover
Back in the war.
Hw saved us from the Kaiser,
Now he'll give us something more
He'll serve as the President
Of the land of the free
If he's good enough for Lindy
He's good enough for me!

@politics @president @campaign filename[ GOODLIND play.exe~GOODLIND RG Oct00

---

02 Nov 00 - 10:48 PM (#333250)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: M. Ted (inactive)

Voyager--

The home of Franklin Pierce--you didn't happen to see the CSPAN Presidents feature on Pierce, did you? He was a very interesting person, intelligent, likeable, a patron of the arts, and friend to Hawthorne, and yet died a pariah--He was handsome, charming, and much loved when he was elected, and by the time he left office, he was almost the most hated man in America--Who says you can't learn anything from TV?

---

20 Sep 04 - 11:56 AM (#1276474)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-2004)??
From: voyager

Every 4 years I like to see this thread get some attention.
Mostly because I enjoy the Oscar Brand CD so much....

AND...without a campaign song, candidates should be disqualified from
running (IMHO).

OK...so I'll start with GWB -

   My vote is "Beer for the Horses" by Toby Keith

But seriously folks, can anyone imagine these media darlings as
having an honest-to-goodness campaign song behind them.

Like Nader....fuggetaboutit.
Kerry....some John Mellancamp ditty
and W.....

OK....this thread is alive.

voyager

---

22 Feb 08 - 10:08 AM (#2269546)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-2008)?
From: voyager

Time to start 'resining up the bow', eh?

voyager

---

08 Oct 08 - 04:30 PM (#2460527)
Subject: RE: Presidential Campaign Songs (1789-1996)
From: voyager

Alas....

An attempt to revive this thread every four years has fallen on hard times. Mehthinks the only song worthy of Campaign 2008 comes from that heralded American Folk Group - Led Zeppelin....

'The Song Remains the Same'.

voyager

---