h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Carter Family sing a song called White House Blues, which is a folk ballad which tells the story of McKinley's murder in surprisingly accurate detail, the first line, from memory, and please excuse the variant spelling of the assailant's name is, 'Zargos, cruel cruel man, you shot McKinley with a kerchief in your hand, from Buffalo, to Washington', there are several versions but they all tally very closely with the account given, even to the make of weapon used, 'Zargos, just look what you done, you shot my poor husband with your Ivor Johnson gun, now carry him back, to Washington'. I suppose the first recordings of the song were made comparatively close to the time of the event, perhaps this explains the fidelity to what happened, anyway, very interesting entry.

Wow, I didn't know about that song. I'll have to go hunting.

Thanks for the tip!

Dmitri, This should be a link to White House Blues lyrics, it seems to me they've cobbled two versions together, but you'll see how well the lyrics match the event. If you do Spotify, I think the Carter Family version is on there, That's the one I learned anyway! Cheers, Ham. http://www.lyricsbay.com/white_house_blues_lyrics-unknown.html

, thanks.

I found this old-time version on Youtube, which has some of the same lyrics. It seems to be a true folk song - lots of different versions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teH3sgqSh9c

Here's a good ol' foot-stomplin' bluegrass version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gftYudB__Yk

So now, we can do more than marvel at the McKinley assassination. We can dance to it...

The line I liked in a morbid kind of way was, 'Mckinley he hollered, McKinley he squalled, Doctor said McKinley, I can't find the ball, from Buffalo, to Washington.' Seems to me the Doc's bedside manner was none too sophisticated!

I thought that, too.

Sounds like a lot of Appalachian ballads from the time, though.

One of the few songs my dad could play on the guitar was 'Old Dan Tucker'.

'Old Dan Tucker went to town, ridin' a billygoat, leadin' a hound...'

McKinley hollered, McKinley squalled
Doc said to McKinley, "I can't find that ball"
From Buffalo to Washington

Roosevelt in the White House, he's doing his best
McKinley in the graveyard, he's taking his rest
He's gone a long, long time

Hush up, little children, now don't you fret
You'll draw a pension at your papa's death
From Buffalo to Washington

Roosevelt in the White House drinking out of a silver cup
McKinley in the graveyard, he'll never wake up
He is gone a long time

Ain't but one thing that grieves my mind
That is to die and leave my poor wife behind
I'm gone a long, long time

Look here, little children, (don't) waste your breath
You'll draw a pension at your papa's death
From Buffalo to Washington

Standing at the station just looking at the time
See if I could run it by half past nine
From Buffalo to Washington

Came the train, she's just on time
She run a thousand miles from eight o'clock 'till nine
From Buffalo to Washington

Yonder comes the train, she's coming down the line
Blowing in every station Mr. McKinley's a-dying
It's hard times, hard times

Look-it here you rascal, you see what you've done
You've shot my husband with that Iver-Johnson gun
Carry me back to Washington

Doc's on the horse, he tore down his rein
Said to that horse, "You've got to outrun this train"
From Buffalo to Washington

Doc come a-running, takes off his specs
Said "Mr McKinley, better pass in your checks
You're bound to die, bound to die"
source: LyricsRaag.Com

Hey, thanks! Much appreciated!