And so, my friend, we approach the end of The Harrison Log Cabin Song Book of 1840: Revised for the campaign of 1888, with numerous new songs to patriotic airs.
CLEVELAND’S VICE.
Air — “Meerschaum Pipe.”
Oh, who is Grover Cleveland’s Vice,
Cleveland’s Vice,
Oh, who is Grover Cleveland’s Vice,
Cleveland’s Vice,
Oh, who is Grover Cleveland’s Vice
In this trip up Salt creek?
Allen Thurman!
Oh, who is riding on behind?
Allen Thurman! Red Bandan!
Oh, which of them should ride in front?
Allen Thurman! Red Bandan! Old Roman!
Oh, who is being sacrificed?
Allen Thurman! Red Bandan! Old Roman! That is the plan!
Oh, whose life will ambition cost?
Allen Thurman! Red Bandan! Old Roman! That is the plan! Devised by Dan! BAD MAN!!
Notes:
The song that’s being used here is Meerschaum Pipe, and this is its full text:
From:
Students’ Songs: Comprising the Newest and Most Popular College Songs as Now Sung at Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Dartmouth, Amherst, Michigan, Vassar, Brown, Wellesley, Princeton, Williams, Bowdoin, Wesleyan, Trinity, Lafayette, Boston, Tufts, Union, ETC.
Compiled and edited by William H. Hills, Harvard Class of 1880.
Oh, who will smoke my meerschaum pipe…
Meerschaum pipe,
Oh, who will smoke my meerschaum pipe…
Meerschaum pipe,
Oh, who will smoke my meerschaum pipe,
When I am far away?
Allie Bazan!
Oh, who will wear my cast-off boots?
Allie Bazan, Johnnie Moran!
Oh, who will hoist my green umbrell?
Allie Bazan, Johnnie Moran!, Mary McCann!
Oh, who will go to see my girl?
Allie Bazan, Johnnie Moran, Mary McCann, Kazecazan!
Oh, who will take her out to ride?
Allie Bazan, Johnnie Moran, Mary McCann, Kazecazan, Yucatan!
Oh, who will squeeze her snow-white hand?
Allie Bazan, Johnnie Moran, Mary McCann, Kazecazan, Yucatan, Kalamazoo!
Oh, who will trot her on his knee?
Allie Bazan, Johnnie Moran, Mary McCann, Kazecazan, Yucatan, Kalamazoo, Michigan!
Oh, who will kiss her ruby lips?
Allie Bazan, Johnnie Moran, Mary McCann, Kazecazan, Yucatan, Kalamazoo, Michigan,
BAD MAN!!!
Copyright 1881 by Wm. H. Hills.
Back to the election song:
Grover Cleveland was the Democratic candidate for president in 1888. His vice-presidential running mate was Allen Thurman.
“Salt Creek” was the legendary place where political careers went to die.
Thurman was known for the red bandanna that he carried, waved about while making rhetorical points, mopped his brow, and on which he frequently blew his nose. His nickname in the Senate was The Old Roman.
“Dan” was likely Daniel Manning, a major figure in the New York Democratic party, who sponsored Cleveland’s candidacy.
Nest time: Set Him There K-Sock
JAMES D. MACDONALD 
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