“The Great American Bum (Three Jolly Bums)”

Description

"Come all you jolly jokers if you want to have some fun And listen while I relate the tale of a great American bum." The singer rejoices getting maximum results from minimum work: "I am a bum, a jolly old bum, and I live like a royal Turk...."

Notes

"Hum" is Australian slang for "bum"; the Australian version abounds in such localizations. - RBW

Same tune

• Vernon Dalhart, "The Bum Song No. 2" (CYL: Edison [BA] 5653, n.d.); Vernon Dalhart & Co., "The Bum Song, No. 2" (Edison 52472, 1929)
• Jerry Ellis [pseud. for Jack Golding] "Bum Song #2" (Champion 15646, 1928; Supertone 9342 [as Weary Willie], 1929)
• Harry "Mac" McClintock, "The Bum Song, No. 2" (Victor 21704, 1928) (Decca 5689, 1939)
• Carson Robison Trio, "Bum Song No. 5" (Pathe 32477, 1929; Perfect 12571, 1930)

Recordings

• Vernon Dalhart, "The Bum Song" (Columbia 1488-D, 1928)
• Dick Holmes, "The Bum Song" (Oriole 1324, 1928)
• Eddie Kirk, "Bum Song" (Edison 52384, 1928)
• Frank Luther, "The Bum Song" (Brunswick 254/Brunswick 4029, 1928)
• Frank Marvin, "The Bum Song" (Romeo 719/Cameo 8296 [as Lazy Larry], 1928
• Harry "Mac" McClintock, "The Bum Song" (Victor 21343, c. 1928) (Decca 5640, 1939)
• Hobo Jack Turner [pseud. Ernest Hare] "The Bum Song" (Harmony 705-H/Diva 2705-G/Velvet Tone 1705-V, 1928)
• "Weary Willie", "The Bum Song" (Perfect 12461/Pathe 32382, 1928; this is, surprisingly, not the same recording as the one by "Lazy Larry")
• Pete Wiggins, "The Bum Song" (OKeh 41092, 1928)

References

1. Fahey-Eureka, pp. 192-193, "The Two Professional Hums" (sic; see note) (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Paterson/Fahey/Seal, pp. 293-295, "Two Professional Hums" (1 text)
3. Sandburg, p. 183, "Shovellin' Iron Ore"; 192, "We Are Four Bums" (1 text plus a fragment, 2 tunes)
4. Gilbert, pp. 184-185, "The Great American Bum" (1 text)
5. Silber-FSWB, p. 50, "The Great American Bum" (1 text)
6. Roud #9833
7. BI, FaE192