The Pan American Exposition in 1901 was the end of an era in more ways than one. The United States was showing off the power of it's newfound technologies, and at the same time an aging Geronimo was on display as a slide show exhibit as actors played cowboys and indians in reenactments of the indian wars. The United States had just won the Spanish American war, and had received the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico from Spain. The young country was now a world power.

President McKinley was in a receiving line in the Temple Of Music when he was fatally shot at point blank range by an anarchist named Leon Czolgosz. Upon seeing his assassin being pummeled by his guards, the wounded McKinley cried out "Don't let them hurt him." He then asked his guards to be careful about how they told his ailing wife. A week later the president died, whispering the words of his favorite hymn, "Nearer my God to Thee, Nearer to Thee." His Vice President, Theodore Roosevelt, took over the office and the rest is history.

Here's where the story gets unusual.

During the Spanish American War a protest/comedy song was written called 'Battleship Maine'. It had a great melody, and some great lines like:

'Why are you running, are you afraid to die?
The reason that I'm running is because I cannot fly!
It was all about that Battleship Maine'

Not too long after the assassination a new set of lyrics started making the rounds across the United States to the tune of Battleship Maine- the White House Blues.

Sometimes you can learn a lot about history from a song.

The White House Blues has gone on to become a bluegrass and old time music standard. Artists like Bill Monroe, Charlie Poole, The Stanley Brothers, and most recently Third Time Out have rearranged the song to suit their individual styles.

Dear Old dad and I learned the tune from Paul Schoenwetter, a dear old friend from Philadelphia who passed away last month. Paul was one of a kind, and we'll miss him a great deal.

Pauls' arraignment of this tune is nothing like Charlie Pooles' version- and I'm not sure you can classify it as anything but frailing. While the tab is a bit simplified you can really go to town with slides, bends and pull-offs to add a touch of bluesiness to the tune.

The TAB presented here is pretty straightforward, the only really difficult part is making the jump from the C chord at the fifth fret to the F chord. If you don't get this lick down right away don't get frustrated, it took me forever to get this one down! Just take your time and work through it slowly unlit you have it down cold- then you can speed it up.

So Until next time, do something nice for somebody, if you see a need fill it, get an instrument into the hands of a kid, and never step in anything soft!

Pat & Patrick



White House Blues

McKinley hollered McKinley squaled,
Doc Said Mckinley I can't find that ball.
You're bound to die, bound to die, in Buffalo

Look here you rascal see what you've done,
You shot my husband and I've got your gun
I'm taking you back to Washington

Doc came a running, pulled off his specs,
Doc said McKinley you better cash in your checks
You're bound to die- bound to die

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

44 boxcars trimmed in lace,
Put him in the last one so we can't see his face.
He's gonna be gone a long old time.

Hush up you children don't you fret.
You'll draw a pension at your daddy's death
He's gonna be gone a long old time.



Battleship Maine

McKinley call for volunteers then I got my gun
first Spaniard I saw comming I dropped my gun and run.
It was all about, that Battleship Maine.

Why are you running are you afraid to die?
The reason that I'm running is because I cannot fly!
It was all about that Battleship Maine.

The blood was a running, I was running too
I gave my feet good exercise, there was nothing else to do.
it was all about that battleship Maine.

The peas they were greasy, the meat it was fat
The boys were fighting Spaniards while I was fighting that.
It was all about that Battleship Maine.


Recordings:

Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers
Old Time Songs - Recordings from 1925 to 1930
County CO-CD-3501
Ok, I'll admit that the first time I heard a Charlie Poole recording I was a bit shocked by his vocal style- but over the years I find myself looking at this trio's work with more and more admiration.
This was Cutting edge stuff in the 1920's, and it still rings true today.

The Stanley Brothers
Shadows of the Past
Copper Creek CC-0101
This is a neat CD made up of live recordings from the 50's and 60's. The Probably the fastest version of The White house Blues I've ever heard!


In Print

Folk Songs of North America
Alan Lomax
OUT OF PRINT?
You might have to do some digging to find a copy of this book, but it's worth the trouble. Hundreds of songs (including the White House Blues) gathered together along with the stories behind them.

The Old Time String band Songbook
John Cohen and Mike Seeger
A must have for any old time music fan.


Web Sites-

The Down Neck Gazette-
Stop by http://www.funkyseagull.com and subscribe to The Down Neck Gazette. Our Spring issue features interviews with Al Petteway & Amy White, The Turtle Hill Banjo Company, Chris English, old time music in Galax, Virginia, Barr's Fiddle Shop, Cabin Fever 2001, Nothin' Fancy, and much much more all brought to your home in digital video!
SALE!- Mention iBluegrass.com when you subscribe and you can choose between either a FREE half hour basic frailing video, or add a fifth issue to your subscription. Just add your choice to the "Special Order Instructions" section of the online order form.

The McKinley Museum
A neat site full of information on the late president.
http://www.mckinley.lib.oh.us/museum/default.htm

Old Time Music Web Site
If you love old time music check out this great site!
http://www.oldtimemusic.com/

Old Time herald
Support this great magazine dedicated to old time music.
http://www.mindspring.com/~oth

Turtle Hill Banjo Company
A great place to stop if you are looking for a banjo.
http://www.turtlehillbanjo.com/


About Pat & Patrick
a father and son team from Crisfield, Maryland, Pat and Patrick started making music together on a bet and never found a reason to stop. Over the years the duo have been festival and concert promoters, disk jockeys, marched in the Philadelphia Mummers Parade, and performed as The God Knows We Tried String Band. Three years ago Pat and Patrick created the groundbreaking banjo instruction site 'kafiristan.com'- a project that found them bringing old time banjo across the globe. After the success of kafiristan.com, the team started looking for a way to keep blending technology and tradition. The result was The Down Neck Gazette- a video CD ROM magazine that brings the best in American acoustic music to homes across the world. You can get more information at http://www.funkyseagull.com