Posted 8 years ago
SpiritBear
(813 items)
In an 1894 through 1950 autograph book, I found this folded up page of lyrics near the front (I found also a 1895 letter, a few negatives from the 1910s, an 1891 envelope from Europe, a couple sketches, a Easter card (the newest item, which was 1950), & c. among many wonderful things people wrote to "Kittie" Dietsche. She seems to have close ties with a Father Neill and his wife, who in another letter seems to have quite badly broken her ankle in an accident (really hard to read.) Letter from Scotland. Not sure the connection. Pastor? Anyway.....
I could not find the lyrics online. The writer messed up Teddy Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt, but later someone changed the title to "Our F D R".
So here it is, with a few grammar alterations:
Tune Marching Through Georgia
Our F. D. R. [added in later with pencil]
Old Ted-- he knows a thing or two, and sure has lots of (sand??)
His plans are simply wonderful with nothing underhand.
The U.S.A. is proud of them, though greedy ones get sore.
There never was a President who has done so much before.
Chorus
The N.R.A. is Teddy's great desire. The N. R. A. is all that we require.
Depression Clouds are drifting and the sky will soon be blue.
With Old Glory in the sun-shine, when Teddy's dream comes true.
To some it may look easy, for to plan this great (relief???)
So huge an undertaking may so easy come to grief.
It takes a lot of confidence, with honesty and love,
With the prayers of all the needy, and help from Him above.
We are sorry for the farmers with no profit in their crop
And also in the cotton-fields, this trouble soon will stop
Depression hurts most everyone. With Teddy at the wheel
He has promised for your confidence, a square and honest deal
John Neill
Mayne (Co??)., B. C.
Tune:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRXmuvLU8LQ
If it is of interest, the autograph book I found this in came from Aurora, Illinois.
You sure the name Woody Guthrie isn't on the book somewhere? (grin)
Perhaps I can help interpret it, SpiritBear ~
It is appropriate (albeit awkwardly done :^) to mix Teddy and FDR given the references. Teddy got the National Reclaimation Act passed in 1902 which benefitted the Pacific Northwest greatly with financing of irrigation systems, dams & etc. He was also of a socialistic bent when it came to domestic affairs with his Square Deal" programs that promoted the middle class, put the heel to trusts and lots of other KommiePinko stuff (kidding...kidding). The Great Depression was tough on the midwest, but even the good times were difficult, especially by today's standards, and good-paying NRA jobs saved many a family farm in the years before the water flowed to their parched crops. By the references, like Teddy being referred to in the first person, it sounds early, but Teddy died in 1919 and FDR was hooked up as an Assistant Sec in government service and hardly a household name. Otherwise, I'd guess it was ca 1928-1932.
"Old Ted-- he knows a thing or two, and sure has lots of (sand??)"
Sand = Grit = Toughness .... looks appropriate.
"To some it may look easy, for to plan this great (relief???)"
See above. Again, looks like an appropriate interpretation. Can't enlarge your photos enough for these old eyes to form any opinion otherwise.
It's a fun and interesting piece ~ thanks for posting it!
Somehow I had missed your comment.
Thank you for the detailed response and clarifications on it.
I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
I think I've seen the book before, Brunswick,