Saturday, June 13, 2009

Wilco - free download "The Jolly Banker"

Great American band Wilco have recorded a cover of the Woody Guthrie track "The Jolly Banker". It's available to download here. Very clever lyrics, which begin with the Banker outlining how wonderful his profession is...

My name is Tom Cranker and I'm a jolly banker
I'm a jolly banker, jolly banker am I
I safeguard the farmers and widows and orphans, singin'
I'm a jolly banker, jolly banker am I


...before slowly revealing just how much he rips the ordinary people off:

When money you're needin' and mouths you are feedin'
I'm a jolly banker, jolly banker am I
I'll plaster your home with a furniture loan, singin'
I'm a jolly banker, jolly banker am I

If you show me you need it, I'll let you have credit
I'm a jolly banker, jolly banker am I
Just bring me back two for the one I lend you, singin'
I'm a jolly banker, jolly banker am I


Overall, it's a good over of a topical song. And, like so many great American songwriters and activists, Guthrie is said to have been of Ulster-Scots descent. (the tune sounds a lot like "Cockles and Mussels Alive Alive-o")

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