March 15, 1847: “Clear The Way for the Constitution” of The Glee Club.
This unacknowledged poem refers to the political machinations as Wisconsin became a state in 1848. The Glee Club sang it to the folk song “Old Dan Tucker.”
Evening Courier Sung by the Glee Club
The Badger B boys are all the rage.
They always beat when they engage.
They undertook the job of late,
To change Wisconsin to a State.
Out of the way—Whigs and Anties
Crippled wildcats’ crowing binties
Out of the way—this revolution
Carries the People’s Constitution.
The Federal party can’t endure,
So much indulgence to the Poor.
The Bank Democracy begrudges
The People’s power to choose their judges.
Out of the way &c
The Married woman’s clause they say
With grief will turn each husband grey.
But still the worst of all disasters
Is banishing their dear shin plasters.
Out of the way &c
They vow it’s wrong or they will end it,
Well then if wrong the B boys can mend it.
But when our axes lack for helves
We badgers put them in ourselves.
Out of the way &c
Don’t trust the Feds in now Convention
The best of cures is called Prevention.
The good we’ve got we’ll keep secure,
The bad we’ll mend or else endure.
Out of the way &c
The Federalists called a Monster Meeting
And dubbed it Democrat for sweetening.
Some Locos went but not en masse—
The lion’s skin didn’t hide the ass.
Out of the way &c
Hark! The Badger B boys are coming—
Don’t you hear her cannon booming ?
From the River to the Lake
Young Wisconsin’s wide awake.
Clear the track Whigs and Anties
Crippled wildcats crowing binties.
Clear the track—this revolution
Carries the Badger Constitution.