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The Newspapermen song

Updated: Mar 26, 2021


Has anything changed, since this adorable song was written in 1947? A link to the author singing, after the lyrics. And, a rousing version by Pete Seeger.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t36J581E1yg


Newspapermen (1947)

Words by Vern Partlow, music by Earl Robinson (also composer of "Joe Hill," "Ballad for Americans," "Black and White"...)


Oh, a newspaperman meets such interesting people! He knows the low-down (now it can be told) I'll tell you quite reliably off the record About some charming people I have known For I meet politicians, and grafters by the score Killers plain and fancy, it's really quite a bore Oh, a newspaperman meets such interesting people! He wallows in corruption, crime, and gore Ting-a-ling-a-ling, city desk; Hold the press, Hold the press; Extra! Extra! Read all about it! It's a mess, meets the test Oh, a newspaperman meets such interesting people! It's wonderful to represent the press Now, you remember Mrs. Sadie Smuggery She needed money for a new fur coat To get insurance, she employed skullduggery She up and cut her husband's only throat She chopped him into fragments, she stuffed him in a trunk She shipped it all back yonder to her uncle in Podunk Now, newspapermen meet such interesting people! It must have startled poor old Sadie's unc Ting-a-ling-a-ling, city desk; Hold the press, Hold the press; Extra! Extra! Read all about it! It's a mess, meets the test Oh, a newspaperman meets such interesting people! It's wonderful to represent the press


Now, newspapermen meet such interesting people! I've met the gal with million-dollar knees The guy who sat five years upon a steeple; Just where the point was I could never see Yes, I've met Capone and Hoover, and lots of other fakes I've even met a genius who swallows rattlesnakes Oh, a newspaperman meets such interesting people! The richest girl who could not bake a cake Oh, publishers are such interesting people! Their policy's an acrobatic thing They claim they represent the common people It's funny Wall Street never has complained But the publishers have worries, for publishers must go To working folks for readers, and big shots for their dough Now, are publishers are such interesting people! It could be press-titution, I don't know Ting-a-ling-a-ling, circulation Ting-a-ling-a-ling, advertising Get those readers, get that payoff What a headache, what a mess Oh, publishers are such interesting people! Let's give three cheers for freedom of the press


Now, newspapermen are such interesting people! They used to work like hell just for romance But finally, the movies notwithstanding They all got tired of patches on their pants They organized a union to get a living wage They joined with other actors upon a living stage Now newspapermen are such interesting people When they know they've got a people's fight to wage Ting-a-ling-a-ling, Newspaper Guild Got a free new world to build; Meet the people, that's a thrill All together fits the bill Now, newspapermen are such interesting people! It's wonderful to represent the Guild...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URjif7Z9BEw&list=RDURjif7Z9BEw&start_radio=1&t=8



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