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California resident George Graham wrote the
song excerpted below in 1931. This song is contained in
California Gold: Folk Music from
the Thirties. The humorous song reflects experiences and biases of the time. What
group of drivers is the songwriter satirizing? Can you think of more recent songs about
driving? How are they similar to or different from this song? What function might humorous
songs serve during hard economic times?
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When a motor car mamma the road rules abuse And how they influence the language we use! Get a grip on yourself motor mamma is there You may try for a smile your reward is a stare. . . . Here a street full of traffic has shut off the gas For a freak on a corner has sounded a blast. No! no gentle policeman, 'twas a fierce traffic cop. No, 'twas not engine trouble that caused them to stop. A mamma, Ah! mamma, a beautiful car It moved on so quiet it carried no jar. The wheels were of wire, the tires balloon It had only been purchased that same afternoon. With a wheel [lose?] near ninety, the body light green Such a wealth of gold tresses, so calm and serene It was raining like tomcats and the street all [aslop?], For she just passed a corner and came to a stop. She had heard the shrill warning and slipped out the clutch, Reversed the gear quickly, a little, not much. And the heart of that copper was made of a rock, Tho the smile of the mamma shown around for a block. . . . For she tried, oh, so gentle that cop to film flam, With the [semaphores?] blinking [md] a heck of a jam. . . . Now he gave her a ticket, sign here is the space, But she reached out and pushed him, he fell on his face I'll arrest you, you hussy; was the last words he said. For she stepped on the gasso and now he is dead. And he lay where he fell, so he fell where he lay. The traffic department, of course, stopped his pay And it isn't no riddle, if motors run slow, Don't argue with mamma, but watch her gas toe. So traffic policemen take warning in time Or you'll soon be out yonder where blossoms entwine. Be nifty, go fifty; don't be a babboon, or your check Will be cashed by some other draggoon. top of page View the entire song from California Gold: Folk Music from the Thirties. Use your browser's Back Button to return to this point. |
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