tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29361741.post7872167059227042300..comments2023-12-30T05:22:27.108-05:00Comments on The New York Crank: John Stumpf, Henry Miller, hapless Wells Fargo employees, and a filthy Cockney music hall songThe New York Crankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489472134701718697noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29361741.post-17019324939700079762016-10-05T20:57:42.470-04:002016-10-05T20:57:42.470-04:00Believe it or don't, around 1965 the witty you...Believe it or don't, around 1965 the witty young English pianist/pop singer/songwriter Ian Whitcomb had a respectable hit single of which the B side was "Poor But Honest" -- with suitable updating thus (after the unfortunate lass has "lost 'er perfect name" to a "naughty squire"):<br /><br />So she went away to London<br />Just to 'ide 'er guilty shame. <br />Til she met a Labour leader,<br />And again she lost 'er name.<br /><br />See 'im in the 'Ouse of Commons<br />Making laws to put down crime.<br />While the victim of his passions<br />Walks the streets from time to time.<br /><br />Looking back on it, I imagine it was the B-sideness, the Cockney accent, and general cheeriness of the music that shielded this little foray into social commentary from US guardians of public morality. The following year they would all be kept busy burning Beatle albums, so it's probably just as well. <br /><br />Li'l Innocenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12516526103367681109noreply@blogger.com