-
The song written by Irving Berlin and was originally titled “The Near Future” in 1919. Itis better known for the small part of its lyric that took on a life of its own: “How Dry IAm”. The term “Dry” in that time period meant abstinence from alcohol, and support ofProhibition. Those who took the opposite approach and/or view were often called “Wet”.Prohibition became fact in 1920, in “the near future” after the song was issued. Thisportion of the song…How dry I am, how dry I amIt’s plain to see just why I amNo alcohol in my highballAnd that is why so dry I am…became known for its ironic use, by people getting drunk and singing it, sometimes inharmony, in all manner of popular media, especially Warner Brother’s cartoons. Thatusage necessitated removing the parts that overtly denied drinking, which tended toreduce the song to these two lines:How dry I am, how dry I amNobody knows how dry I am…On the other hand, the origin of the ditty “How Dry I Am” predates Berlin’s song and theprohibition era. It is documented as a song being sung by day-laborers in 1907 and iscertainly much older.How dry I am, how dry I amIt’s plain to see just why I amNo alcohol in my highballAnd that is why so dry I amWaiter, Waiter[Waiter:]What do you want? What do you want?[Man:]I’m just as thirsty as can be[Waiter:]What’ll you have? What’ll you have?[Man:]Suggest a little drink for me[Waiter:]Of the very finest soft drinks we have all the best[Man:]I don’t know a thing about themWhat would you suggest?[Waiter:]Have a little Coca-ColaReally, it’s a lovely drinkPercy, Clarence, Reginald, tooThey will recommend it to youHave a little Coca-ColaIt’s the very best I thinkIt isn’t alcoholic but you can have a frolicIf you take enough to drink[Man:]They are much too dry[Waiter:]Then how’d you like to trySarsaparilla, try sarsaparillaSarsaparilla ought to doRockefeller drinks sarsaparillaAnd what’s good enough for RockefellerIs good enough for you[Man:]Go and tell John DHis drink won’t do for me[Waiter:]Then have a little glass of grape juiceIt’s the only drink to buyReally, it’s fine, simply divineIt’s recommended by William J. BryanEve’rybody’s drinking grape juiceEver since the town went dryI’ve heard them tell, sirThat grape juice and seltzerIs just the little drink to try[Man:]That won’t do, I’m afraid
-
[Waiter:]Then try some lemonadeA little lemon, a little sugarA little vichy and a strawMakes the very nicest little drink you ever sawYou ought to buy one, come on and try oneFor it’s the finest drink that’s madeDrinks like this’ll wet your whistleHave a glass of lemonade[Man:]That won’t do I fearI’d like a glass of beer[Waiter:]Then have some BevoHave a drink of BevoIt’s the grandest imitation that we knowIf you care for beer, it’s the drink you should pickIt tastes like lager but it hasn’t got the kick[Bevo Girl:]Bevo, have a drink of BevoThough it hasn’t got a punch up it’s sleeve-o[Waiter:]Those who drink it insist that a Christian ScientistCould easily come staggering home on Bevo[Man:]How dry I am, how dry I amIt’s plain to see just why I amOh, how I call for alcoholAnd that is why so dry I am[The Spirit of Alcohol:]I hear you calling meI am the Spirit of AlcoholFor let me assure you one and allI’m not dead, I’m only asleepSome day I’ll come back to you[Chorus:]We hope you do, we hope you do
-
[The Spirit of Alcohol:]When your laws are not so blue[Chorus:]We hope you do, we hope you do[The Spirit of Alcohol:]When you give Prohibition your shoe[Chorus:]You bet your life we’ll kick itBecause it’s very wicked[The Spirit of Alcohol:]Say to Mister Temperance you’re through[Chorus:]That’s what we’ll do, that’s what we’ll do[The Spirit of Alcohol:]I’ll come back somedayWith a hip, hip hoorayUntil I do, I’ll give to youA little cocktail that is new
-
https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/1203673049655786/ Mark Breedlove