"I'm The Man That's Been Forgotten" Johnny Marvin

[Roaring20s]

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Here's another record I picked up and its lyrics needed perspective.
By its title I expected a lonely mountain man or prisoner ballad. I was surprised and intrigued.
I did not find the lyrics on the web, so I transcribed it from the disc.


Side one starts off with a Kazoo sounding "Assembly".
The song is sung to Slack-key Guitar accompaniment.

I remember to well the shot and the shell
and the trenches all filled with slime.

I remember your yell "Boys, give 'em hell."
as we sailed on our way to the Rhine.

Now, I'm the man that's been forgotten
by my friends and countrymen.

You honor the unknown soldier who died
but don't forget I fought by his side.

You've forgotten all your joys
as you yelled "Here comes the boys."
when the band played "Auld Lang Syne"

I'm the man that's been forgotten
forgotten for a long long time.

I'm the man that's been forgotten
by my friends and countrymen.

You welcomed my return with a joyful cry
but years have gone and you pass me by.

You've forgotten all your woe
as you sit and count your dough
to the tune of "Mine all mine."

I'm the man that's been forgotten
forgotten like the lonely pine.

I'm the man that's been forgotten
by the crowds that cheered me so.

When first I had returned
I marched with waiving flag
but not I've learned to march in my old reg. (regiment)

If my buddies who are dead
knew I begged my daily bread
they would say we died in vain.

I'm the man that's been forgotten
forgotten and alone in the rain.

End side one.
Side two continues with Banjo accompaniment.

I answered the call and fought for you all
while you were safely at home.

But now I'm forgotten, hungry, and cold
I ask for bread, you give me a stone.

Now, I'm the man that's been forgotten
strange you can't remember me

You took away my hoe and handed me a gun
told me go, the battle must be won.

There I crawled though miles of mud and I got my taste of blood
just to pay my debt to you.

I'm the man that's been forgotten
forgotten 'cause my work is through.

I'm the man that's been forgotten
by my friends and countrymen.

Though I'm only one, there are thousands more
and don't forget the wolf is at their door.

Their legs are tired and weary
as they seem to search in vain
for some bread to ease their pain

I'm the man that's been forgotten
forgotten and alone in the rain.

I'm the man that's been forgotten
by my friends and countrymen.

I travel east and west
I travel north and south
and I must say there's many a hungry mouth

I remember our days of cheer
when we had stein of beer
can we have them back again?

I'm the man that's been forgotten
forgotten and alone in the rain.

..................................................

So I looked up the recording date (July 28,1932) and it was easy to pinpoint the topic for these dejected descriptions.

In 1932, a group of WWI veterans in Portland, Ore., rallied the 'Bonus Army' to Washington to lobby for early payment of their promised bonuses.

The following quotes were taken from a speech to the protesters by retired Marine Corps General Smedley Butler.

"I never saw such fine Americanism as is exhibited by you people," "You have just as much right to have a lobby here as any steel corporation. Makes me so damn mad, a whole lot of people speak of you as tramps. By God, they didn't speak of you as tramps in 1917 and '18." "Take it from me, this is the greatest demonstration of Americanism we have ever had."

I found that this disc has a recording date of July 28th, the same day as the government's action against the protesters. Johnny must have thought he was going to have a hit!

Read about the protest...
http://www.npr.org/2011/11/11/142224795 ... he-gi-bill
Listen to the NPR story about it...
http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlaye ... =142243358

Thanks for looking,
James

[alang]

Thanks for sharing. So much has changed and yet so little...
Andreas

[Roaring20s]

Thanks Andreas.

Side one's focus is entirely on these Veterans of the Bonus Army.
Side two added hunger, desperate economic conditions, and a request for beer.

Hoover was left holding the bag for the depression.
Roosevelt if elected would repeal prohibition.
1932 was an election year.

James.