“White House Blues (II)”
Description
Singer says Hoover let the country go to ruin; now Roosevelt's "doing his best," but times are still hard -- long hours for poor wages (if they're working at all), bad clothes, poor food. The refrain says of Hoover, "Now he's gone, I'm glad he's gone."
Notes
The Great Depression is generally considered to have extended from the stock market crash of 1929 to the beginning of World War II in 1939. However, it is worth noting that conditions for farmers had already been depressed for several years before this. - PJS (This was due in part to the revival of European agriculture after World War I. In Minnesota, the political side effects are still felt to some extent today, in the relative strength of third party politics. Minnesota voted for Roosevelt in all four of his elections -- the first time the state had ever voted for a Democrat. Quite a sea change. - RBW)
This song is obviously a topical adaptation of "Mister McKinley (White House Blues)." -PJS
In one sense this song is unfair; Herbert Hoover was not the cause of the Depression (which began very shortly after he came into office; if any President is to be blamed, it is his predecessor, Calvin Coolidge). On the other hand, Hoover (a conservative Republican) took only the most hesitant steps to help the poor, so he arguably does deserve their scorn. - RBW
Historical references
- 1929-1933: Presidency of Herbert Hoover
- 1933-1945: Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Cross references
- cf. "Mister McKinley (White House Blues)" (tune, structure, words)
Recordings
- New Lost City Ramblers, "White House Blues" (on NLCR09) (on NLCR12)
References
- Cohen/Seeger/Wood, p. 228, "White House Blues" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Darling-NAS, pp. 382-383, "White House Blues" (1 text)
- DT, WHITHOU2*
- BI, CSW228