Post by roaring20s on Feb 19, 2012 22:26:31 GMT -6
The Alcoholic Blues
©1919 Broadway Music Corp.
words by Edward Laska, music by Albert Von-Tilzer
I love my country, 'deed I do
But oh, that war has made me blue
I like fightin', that's my name
But fightin' is the least about the fightin' game
When Mister Hoover said to cut my dinner down
I never even hesitate, I never frown
I cut my sugar, I cut my coal
But now they dug deep in my soul
I've got the blues, I've got the blues
I've got the alcoholic blues
No more beer, my heart to cheer
Goodbye whiskey, you used to make me frisky
So long highball, so long gin
Oh, tell me when you comin' back agin
Blues, I've got the blues
Since they amputated my booze
Lordy, Lordy, war is well
You know I don't have to tell
Oh, I've got the alcoholic blues
Some blues
Prohibition Hmm that's the name
Prohibition drives me insane
I'm so thirsty, soon I'll die
I'm simply goin' to 'vaporate, I'm just that dry
I wouldn't mind to live forever in a trench
Just if my daily thirst they only let me quench
And not with Bevo or Ginger Ale
I want the real stuff by the pail
I've got the blues, I've got the blues
I've got the alcoholic blues
No more beer, my heart to cheer
Goodbye whiskey, you used to make me frisky
So long highball, so long gin
Oh, tell me when you comin' back agin
Blues, I've got the blues
Since they amputated my booze
Lordy, Lordy, war is well
You know, I don't have to tell
I've got the alcoholic blues
Some blues
A little background information on some faded topical content...
Mr. Hoover was not President until 1928. At the time of this song, Herbert Hoover was not only famous for feeding Europe. He was also celebrated as the man who had persuaded millions of his countrymen to "hooverize," sacrificing their own comforts so that desperate Allied populations might survive.
The Volstead Act was introduced in the House by Andrew Volstead on June 27, 1919. It was vetoed by President Woodrow Wilson on October 27, 1919. Overridden by the House and Senate the next day. On January 17, 1920, America went dry.
The Anheuser-Busch company started brewing Bevo in 1916 in order to have a product to market in the states and communities where alcohol was illegal. Production rose greatly with national prohibition in 1919. It was made until 1929.
Who's up for a Bevo!?
James.