971. Starving to Death on My Government Claim (Traditional American)

[FlatMattress]

I have happened to stumble upon this from my poetry book that I have to read for school :P by the way, to reply to someone, you have to hit the reply button to the right of the comment

[raymondcrooke]

@FlatMattress Thanks for watching.

[lxptrc]

True Grit!

[skaterkid9124]

i sing that in my program and its home free of the grasshopper bedbug and flea

[raymondcrooke]

@skaterkid9124 Being a folk song there are many versions. I really think "the land of the free / The home of the bedbug, mosquito and flea" is more likely though in this context.

[TheTexn]

Thank you Raymond. John Avery Lomax rests comfortably in his grave. You are a friend of history. History appreciates you.

[raymondcrooke]

@TheTexn Thanks for your comments.

[sacredshakti]

hehe :) cool stuff man! it's old school! like the simplicity of it, just a man, a guitar, and a message!

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks for your comment.

[e1isha]

Thank you so much for posting this! I enjoyed this song when I was a little girl but never knew what it was called and haven't able to find it or hear it over 20 years. Now I finally have more information as well as a new rendition to enjoy. Very nice!

[raymondcrooke]

I'm glad I could bring this song back to you. Thanks for watching.

[Tony2581]

Hey, Raymond, that was great! I had never heard of the song & love the lyrics! I was laughing the whole way through! Best wishes, Tony

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks for dropping by, Tony. Glad you liked the song.

[JBurdoo]

I've always enjoyed this song, partly for the humor and partly 'cos I love "The Irish Washerwoman." Only ever heard one version before, though -- a recording by the late, great Tom Glazer. Good to hear your take on it.

Comin' up swiftly on that one thousandth song...!

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, Jennifer. Not as swiftly as I expected. I've had to slow down a bit for a while, as I can't upload any songs while I'm here in Malaysia.

[mermaidmorrigan]

love it!

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks for watching.

[mktmic7]

nice post ********

[SirCoughsalot]

Yes, very Woody Guthrie.

[UncleVRoy]

Reminds me of a Woody song I like it!

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, Johnny. Yes, there is a touch of Woody about it.

[TravisTricky]

Love the tunes with this kind of theme...the idea of the help from the government, which I'm sure they believe to be ample, not being enough when it really reaches the people. Thanks for sharing!

5*

[raymondcrooke]

It's a universal theme. which is always appealing. Thanks for your comment.

[stewballmax3]

Greetings

Gentleman Raymond...

A delightfully honest story song speaking of the commonman's plight as he lives within the means of his human existence is perhaps my favorite aspect of the folk song idiom.

Here in this attraction,you've showcased great respect for the directness of the material in a simple,no frills manner...something of which I treasure.

Pax,

Max

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, Max, for your very prompt reply. Songs like this certainly deserve our respect for their honest depiction of history.