White House Blues

McKinley hollered, McKinley squalled

Doc said to McKinley, "I can't find that ball",

From Buffalo to Washington

Roosevelt in the White House, he's doing his best

McKinley in the graveyard, he's taking his rest

He's gone a long, long time

Hush up, little children, now don't you fret

You'll draw a pension at your papa's death

From Buffalo to Washington

Roosevelt in the White House drinking out of a silver cup

McKinley in the graveyard, he'll never wake up

He's gone a long, long time

Ain't but one thing that grieves my mind

That is to die and leave my poor wife behind

I'm gone a long, long time

Look here, little children, (don't) waste your breath

You'll draw a pension at your papa's death

From Buffalo to Washington

Standing at the station just looking at the time

See if I could run it by half past nine

From Buffalo to Washington

Came the train, she's just on time

She run a thousand miles from eight o'clock 'till nine,

From Buffalo to Washington

Yonder comes the train, she's coming down the line

Blowing in every station Mr. McKinley's a-dying

It's hard times, hard times

Look-it here you rascal, you see what you've done

You've shot my husband with that Iver-Johnson gun

Carry me back to Washington

Doc's on the horse, he tore down his rein

Said to that horse, "You've got to outrun this train"

From Buffalo to Washington

Doc come a-running, takes off his specs

Said "Mr McKinley, better pass in your checks

You're bound to die, bound to die"