Ernest and his wife fiddling before George in Rome made it popular
Song: All I Got’s Gone
Lyrics: Ernest V. Stoneman(
Music: Ernest V. Stoneman ( I think you can find this on youtube)
Year: 1934
Genre: Country
Country: USA
Dear poetry lover, Todays piece was postponed in recognition of the excellent work sent through from our sage of the distant north west central, who happily informed us that though there may be rivers of gold going to bankers, big business owners and sundry heavy hitters, for the people of Yuendumu, nothing’s changed, cept that the police station at seven million and counting is really big, its up to date, all the uniforms are well pressed, and immaculate, and thus equipped it gives the constabulary free reign to wander through the community behind tinted windows, community proof glass, as paramilitary to install FEAR!
Ernest being Ernest
For the most peace-able people on earth this is meant to install RESPECT.
And it ‘s all done to keep them SAFE!
So what on for poetry?
We found this Gem from Ernest V Stoneman, a colleague of Woody Guthrie who did really bad doggerel, but its way funnier than anything Henry Lawson did, and there’s a delightful ironic lilt. Which tells us something very simple. Things aint that bad. It got real bad during the depression, and if it gets even half that bad it aint that bad really.
Country folk, the extended Stoneman family before social distancing took its toll
So let’s hand it to Ernest, and in deadly earnest give a thought to those poor folk up north, who are not allowed to have fun, public gatherings or anything or they risk being incarcerated, corona-ed and killed to protect them for their own good. There’s logic in that, up north the incarceration inductee is what keeps the cogs going, to think otherwise would be ‘Un- Australian’.
Take it away Ernst……
I’m gonna sing you a brand new song,
She’s a dandy sure as you’re born,
All these things just a-runnin’ in a rhyme,
Things all right considering these times,
But all I got’s gone, all I got’s gone.
Before Netflix there was the Auto-harp
Whole lot of people own nice little farms,
Doin’ pretty well, didn’t do no harm,
Sold their farm, bought an auto or two,
Notes come due they had to skid-doo,
All they got’s gone, all they got’s gone.
Whole lot of people bought automobiles,
Didn’t know how they’s a-gonna feel,
Rode around so grand and proud,
Notes come due, couldn’t pay it out.
All they got’s gone, all they got’s gone.
Locals admire the Yuendumu Public art initiative, ” Bloody Palms” (they were subsequently arrested for not practising social- distancing)
I went to the bank to borrow some money,
I tell you right now, didn’t find it funny,
The banker said he had none to loan,
Get your old hat and pull out home.
For all we got’s gone, all we got’s gone
Whole lot of farmers want to ride and plough,
Had to buy a tractor to find out how,
When they broke a piece them poor white fools,
Better kept walking and a-ploughing them mules.
For all they got’s gone, all they got’s gone.
“Bloody Palms” failed Australia Council funding, but may be eligible for funding grant from Philanthropy Australia ” Building Better Communities Initiative”.
Country dudes are ridin’ in cars,
Tailor-made suits and smokin’ cigars,
Runnin’ to the barbershop, primpin’ and a-rubbin’,
But you right now they’re ploughin’ and a-grubbin’.
For all they got’s gone, all they got’s gone.
Don’t like to see the women a-wearin’ satin dresses,
Their husbands bankrupted and are in great distresses,
Better being at home a-washin’ up the dishes,
Patchin’ their dresses or their husbands’ old britches.
For all they got’s gone, all they got’s gone.
The joint chairs of philanthropy Australia, will ensure funding is granted to worthy recipients.
Me and my partner, we both went to bed,
Jug of white lightning under my head,
I waked up, the stopper was pulled,
The jug was empty and my partner was full.
All I got’s gone, all I got’s gone.