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The Ballad of Old Man Trump (Live at Bears Place)

by Joel David Weir

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Inspired by a true story - shortly after returning from World War II, Woody Guthrie moved to Brooklyn, NY. The landlord of the place he moved to was Fred Trump (father of 45 himself). Woody found out that Fred discriminated against people of color in his properties. Woody would have none of that - so he took pen to paper and wrote songs that were never recorded.

Remember to vote!

Recorded live at Bears Place, Bloomington, IN in 2017.

Links to articles about this event:
www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/a-story-about-fred-trump-and-woody-guthrie-for-the-midterm-elections
www.magnumphotos.com/newsroom/society/bruce-gilden-beachhaven-apartments/
Lyrics to Woody's never recorded song "Old Man Trump"
woodyguthrie.org/Lyrics/Old_Man_Trump.htm

lyrics

Woody Guthrie moved to Brooklyn
four years after the World War
Searching for a place in America
that looked like the one that he fought for

But Old Man Trump was the landlord
Old Man Trump had a card up his sleeve
to play against the ones he thought were losers
but Woody knew the cost of bein free

Woody Guthrie sings for everyone
Woody Guthrie sings for you and me
Woody Guthrie sings for the loser
But Old Man Trump won't sing that harmony

Woody Guthrie stood for something
Something Old Man Trump could not conceive
Something more that money or power
and bigger than a wall of bigotry

Woody Guthrie sings for everyone
Woody Guthrie sings for you and me
Woody Guthrie sings for the immigrant
but Old Man Trump can't sing that harmony

Woody Guthrie moved to Brooklyn
but he couldn't stay in Trump's establishment
So he packed up his things and started walking
Looking for America - a place where he could live

Woody Guthrie sings for everyone
Woody Guthrie sings for you and me
Woody Guthrie sings for the refugee
but Old Man Trump won't sing that harmony
Woody Guthrie sings for everyone
Woody Guthrie sings for you and me
Woody Guthrie sings for America
but Old Man Trump can't sing that harmony
Old Man Trump won't sing that harmony
Old Man Trump can't even sing a harnony

credits

released October 30, 2016
Joel David Weir - words and music
(c) 2020 Saint Patrick Songs

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Joel David Weir Crawfordsville, Indiana

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