John Brown's Flivver

DESCRIPTION: "John Brown's Flivver/Ford/Chevy had a puncture in its tire (x3), And he patched it up with chewing gum." "Then he pumped it full of air (x3), When he patched it up with chewing gum"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1927 (Harbin-Parodology)
KEYWORDS: technology nonballad campsong
FOUND IN: US(So)
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Solomon-ZickaryZan, p. 115, "John Brown's Ford" (1 text)
Harbin-Parodology, #131, p. 40, "John Brown's Flivver" (1 text, tune referenced)
Averill-CampSongsFolkSongs, pp. 167, 257, 262, 393, "John Brown's Flivver" (notes only)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "John Brown's Body" (tune) and references there
ALTERNATE TITLES:
John Brown's Ford
John Brown's Chevy
Old Mister Ford
NOTES [46 words]: Harbin and Averill call tis a "decemental song," that is, one in which words are gradually dropped. For instance, Harbin says to omit "Ford" and show a person cranking a car. Perhaps this helps explain the uncertainty about whether it's a Ford, Chevy, or anonymous flivver. - RBW
Last updated in version 6.3
File: Paro131

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Song List

Go to the Ballad Index Instructions
Go to the Ballad Index Bibliography or Discography