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Poem
June 27, 1877
The Indiana State Sentinel
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
What is this article about?
A song criticizing economic debates on inflation and currency, advocating for fair work and timely wages on Saturday night to support citizens, rather than focusing on gold or greenbacks.
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
WAGES ON SATURDAY NIGHT.
Air—"Rosin the Bow."
Come, friends, let us handle this question,
That lawyers so gingerly touch,
A native with healthy digestion
Can have of good money too much?
They tell us that money too loose is—
They tell us that money's too tight—
Just you answer—that money has uses;
Yes, "Wages on Saturday Night."
Chorus—
Who cares whether paper or metal
Are ours, when this count is all right?
The best way the question to settle,
Is—"Wages on Saturday Night."
What's all this long yarn of "inflation,"
That talk about "greenbacks" or "gold?"
Just give me my old occupation,
And don't keep me "out in the cold."
If "rag money" buys my wife raiment,
I'll welcome such "rags" to my sight;
But what good to me "specie payment"
With "nary red" Saturday night?
Chorus—
I just want to ask you, my brokers
And bankers, good financiers all,
When railroads discharge all us workers,
If money then comes at your "call?"
And I want to ask congress to tell us
If merchants find taxes more light,
When "store" goods no longer they sell us
For cash down on Saturday night?
Chorus—
Stop talk about "gold" and inflation—
Make laws to help citizens all:
Let each man get "work" in this nation,
And wages to come at his call.
You'd better spend billions of greenbacks,
Fair work with fair pay to requite,
Than to growl at lank bellies and lean backs—
"No wages on Saturday night."
Chorus—
Air—"Rosin the Bow."
Come, friends, let us handle this question,
That lawyers so gingerly touch,
A native with healthy digestion
Can have of good money too much?
They tell us that money too loose is—
They tell us that money's too tight—
Just you answer—that money has uses;
Yes, "Wages on Saturday Night."
Chorus—
Who cares whether paper or metal
Are ours, when this count is all right?
The best way the question to settle,
Is—"Wages on Saturday Night."
What's all this long yarn of "inflation,"
That talk about "greenbacks" or "gold?"
Just give me my old occupation,
And don't keep me "out in the cold."
If "rag money" buys my wife raiment,
I'll welcome such "rags" to my sight;
But what good to me "specie payment"
With "nary red" Saturday night?
Chorus—
I just want to ask you, my brokers
And bankers, good financiers all,
When railroads discharge all us workers,
If money then comes at your "call?"
And I want to ask congress to tell us
If merchants find taxes more light,
When "store" goods no longer they sell us
For cash down on Saturday night?
Chorus—
Stop talk about "gold" and inflation—
Make laws to help citizens all:
Let each man get "work" in this nation,
And wages to come at his call.
You'd better spend billions of greenbacks,
Fair work with fair pay to requite,
Than to growl at lank bellies and lean backs—
"No wages on Saturday night."
Chorus—
What sub-type of article is it?
Song
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Political
Commerce Trade
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Wages
Saturday Night
Inflation
Greenbacks
Work
Economy
Citizens
Poem Details
Title
Wages On Saturday Night.
Form / Style
To The Air 'Rosin The Bow' With Repeating Chorus
Key Lines
Who Cares Whether Paper Or Metal
Are Ours, When This Count Is All Right?
The Best Way The Question To Settle,
Is—"Wages On Saturday Night."
Stop Talk About "Gold" And Inflation—
Make Laws To Help Citizens All:
Let Each Man Get "Work" In This Nation,
And Wages To Come At His Call.