Nickel on the Drum

DESCRIPTION: "O hallelu, hallelu, Throw a nickel on the drum, Just to save a (dirty bum), Throw a nickel on the drum and be saved. Testimony time:" (recitation follows), then repeat chorus
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1980 (JournalOfAmericanFolklore)
KEYWORDS: money campsong clothes
FOUND IN: US(SW)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Averill-CampSongsFolkSongs, p. 107, "Nickel on the Drum" (notes only)
JournalOfAmericanFolklore, Jay Mechling, "Magic of the Boy Scout Campfire," Volume 93, Number 367 (Jan-Mar 1980), pp. 42-43, "Nickel on the Drum" (1 text)
NOTES [133 words]: The JournalOfAmericanFolklore version of this appears to be a composite. One is the true "(Throw a) Nickel on the Drum," which is a parody of Salvation Army practices. Only the chorus of this is used. In between are the "testimonies" (a format sometimes used with "Rum By Gum (Temperance Union Song)" also). The testimonies in JournalOfAmericanFolklore are a series of items which are booed and then cheered:
Leader: In our town, all the girls wear grass skirts.
ALL: Boo!
Leader: But the boys all have lawn mowers.
ALL: Yay!
I know I have seen this format used somewhere else, but I can't recall where; it must have been under some other name.
I have no idea if Averill's version uses this sort of "testimonies" or is just the chorus. Not surprisingly, few camps willingly printed the song.... - RBW
Last updated in version 6.3
File: JAFThA5

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