Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, STARVING TO DEATH ON A GOVERNMENT CLAIM (2), by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

STARVING TO DEATH ON A GOVERNMENT CLAIM (2), by                    
First Line: "my name is frank taylor, a bachelor I am"
Last Line: And live on corn dodgers the rest of my life
Subject(s): Homesteaders


My name is Frank Taylor, a bachelor I am,
I'm keeping old Batch on an elegant plan,
You'll find me out West in the county of Lane
A-starving to death on a Government claim.
Hurrah for Lane County, the land of the free,
The home of the bedbug, grasshopper and flea,
I'll sing of its praises and boast of its fame
A-starving to death on a Government claim.
My clothes they are ragged, my language is rough,
My bread is case-hardened and solid and tough,
But I have a good time and live at my ease
On common sop-sorghum and old bacon grease.
How happy am I when I crawl into bed,
With rattlesnakes rattling just under my head,
And the gay little bedbug, so cheerful and bright,
He keeps me a-going two-thirds of the night.
How happy am I on my Government claim,
I've nothing to lose and I've nothing to gain,
I've nothing to eat and I've nothing to wear,
And nothing from nothing is honest and fair.
Oh, come to Lane County, there's room for you all,
Where the wind never stops and the rains never fall,
Oh, join in the chorus and sing of her fame,
A-starving to death on a Government claim.
Oh, don't be downhearted, you poor hungry men,
We're all just as free as the pigs in the pen,
Just stick to your homestead and fight with your fleas,
And pray to your Maker to send some more breeze.
Now all you poor sinners, I hope you will stay
And chaw on your hardtack till you're toothless and grey,
But as for myself I don't aim to remain
And slave like a dog on no Government claim.
Farewell to Lane County, the pride of the West,
I'm going back East to the girl I love best,
I'll stop in Missouri and get me a wife,
And live on corn dodgers the rest of my life.






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