Jolly Banker, or The Banker’s Lament
Woody Guthrie
Listen here
My name is Tom Cranker and I’m a jolly banker,
I’m a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
I safeguard the farmers and widows and orphans,
Singin’ I’m a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
When dust storms are sailing, and crops they are failing,
I’m a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
I check up your shortage and bring down your mortgage,
Singin’ I’m a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
When money you’re needing, and mouths you are feeding,
I’m a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
I’ll plaster your home with a furniture loan,
Singin’ I’m a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
If you show me you need it, I’ll let you have credit,
I’m a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
Just bring me back two for the one I lend you,
Singin’ I’m a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
When your car you’re losin’, and sadly your cruisin’,
I’m a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
I’ll come and foreclose, get your car and your clothes,
Singin’ I’m a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
When the bugs get your cotton, times they are rotten,
I’m a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
I’ll come down and help you, I’ll rape you and scalp you,
Singin’ I’m a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
When the landlords abuse you, or sadly misuse you,
I’m a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
I’ll send down the police to keep you from mischief,
Singin’ I’m a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
Publicity
“All publicity is good publicity except your own obituary.”
–Brendan Behan
M is for . . .
One of Ian’s lino cuts.
Big Board
This is a pine board, around 24″ wide and nine feet long. Was part of the roof of a porch in a farmhouse we took down near Skaneateles.
Green Demolition
South Buffalo, 2011. This is my personal favorite photograph of all the hundreds I’ve taken of green demolition since 2007. Shows a lot and has a serendipitously harmonic composition.
Sit. Sit.
Sarah Campbell’s door at Red Headed Designs. If you need a talented upholsterer, give her a call. Earlier version of this sign, kind of, is here.
Shelton Square ca. 1910
Link to larger image. Photo from Library of Congress.
Roy Cohn, SOB
During the Army-McCarthy hearings of 1954, Cohn was testifying on the stand and he used the moment to pay tribute to Tailgunner Joe. Afterward we were standing outside the Senate Caucus Room when we were approached by a little old lady. And she really was just that. This tiny little woman with white hair, wearing tennis shoes, with tears coming from her eyes.
“Oh, Mr. Cohn, ” she said “I just couldn’t believe your wonderful tribute to the senator. It meant so much to me.”
Cohn turned to me—although she was standing right there—with that cold look he had. “I almost believed it myself” he said. She looked like she had been hit with a whip, and l said to him: “You dirty SOB”.
