A 1923 popular song.
Words by Noah F. Tillery.
Music by Harry F. Windle.
Sheet music provided by Kevin Lockwood:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Uncle Sam was awful angry
Just as angry as could be
At the manners of his children
Some that came across the sea
They would not even try and mind him
Did not care to learn their books
Ev’ry time they were reproven
They’d give him saucy looks
Always trying to make trouble
With the balance of the class
It seemed useless to school them
They would never, never pass
Chorus
If you do not like your teacher
And our school is bunk to you
Then for goodness sake, You’d better pull stakes
And sail back across the blue
You have eaten of our fig tree
You have drank our honey dew
There was no other who like a mother
Would have opened their arms to you
You have proven so ungrateful
We surely will miss you not
You’re nothing but scums, Just stealing the crumbs
You’ve melted our melting pot
- Freedom is why you came over
Don’t act like a silly fool
You can never be good children
Till you learn the golden rule
You were oppressed in your homeland
Here is plenty for all
We like the good old time shepherd
Did hear your plaintive call
If you do not like your teacher
And to you our rules seem slack
The ship that brought you over
Is waiting to take you back
Sung here by Vancha March: