The Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution

After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

Lots of people were unhappy with the eighteenth amendment.  It had several distinctions.  It was the only amendment to take away the rights of citizens, and the only amendment to be repealed [by the 21st amendment].  Selling illegal alcoholic beverages became  a source of great revenue for organized crime.  Many people made "bathtub gin" or beer or other types of alcohol in their homes.  Secret bars called Speakeasies sprouted up.  If people on the other side of the locked door knew you, you could enter and drink.  Law enforcement   worked diligently to find law-breakers, but there were too many to be very effective.

One way people reacted to Prohibition was through popular music. A number of "Prohibition" songs were recorded such as the one on this page. 

This song, What's the Good of Kicking, Let's Go 'Round  with a Smile, was released in 1920.  The lyrics indicate the high cost of living and the determination to vote members of Congress who favored Prohibition out of office.

What's the Good of Kicking; Let's Go 'Round with a Smile


Everybody’s throwing Bullsheviky now.
You know that I’m right to say it’s wrong.
After all the trouble that we’ve all been through,
Let’s forget and make believe the skies are blue.
Grab the Bull in Bullsheviky by the horns,
And send him right back where he belongs.

What's the good of kicking; let's go 'round with a smile,
And wait ‘til the clouds roll by.
What’s the good of picking on that poor old landlord?
He’ll have you out at that, out of your cozy flat.
What's the good of frowning; maybe after a while
Living won’t be so high.
Pork is expensive. You can’t keep it home.
But you can turn Jewish and leave it alone; so
What's the good of kicking; let's go 'round with a smile,
And wait ‘til the clouds roll by.

Throw away your hammer. Blow your little horn.
Knocking never does you any good.
Fill the country with a lot of harmony.
Get together like a loving family.
Tell the  knockers in your little neighborhood
When they feel like knocking to knock wood.


What's the good of kicking; let's go 'round with a smile,
And wait ‘til the clouds roll by.
What’s the good of fretting over Prohibition?
You’ll never land in jail for drinking ginger ale.
Have a little patience. Things will come out all right,
Though for a while we’re dry.
Our Congress cut out our liquor and beer,
But we’re going to have a new Congress next year; so
What's the good of kicking; let's go 'round with a smile,
And wait ‘til the clouds roll by.

What's the good of kicking; let's go 'round with a smile,
And wait ‘til the clouds roll by.
What’s the good of kicking over present prices?
We know they are out of range, but they are bound to change.
There are lots of things we could be happy about
If we would only try.
Shoes are now selling at twenty a pair.
You don’t have to buy them. Just walk around bare, so
What's the good of kicking; let's go 'round with a smile,
And wait ‘til the clouds roll by.

Title:
What's the good of kicking, let's go 'round with a smile
Performer: Maurice Burkhart.
Issue Number/Label:4109: Edison Blue Amberol
Issue Number/Label:7198: Edison Record
Year of Release:[1920]

Save a Little Dram for Me
1920

Sung by Bert Williams

1. In the middle of his sermon, Parson Johnson rose
and started sniffing the air.
A familiar smell was tickling up the Parson's nose.
It told him gin was 'round somewhere.
He closed his bible gently in the middle of the psalm
and started figuring mentally where that smell was   coming from.
His eyes scanned every pew, and then he did declare, "I announce this meeting 'through' if you kick in with my share."

Chorus

2. When they passed that bone-dry law,
I was the very first to say it never would stay.
Neither did I think the law could regulate our thirst.
That's why I ain't got none of it stowed away.
But, now, since Prohibition's got us,
Drinks are few and far between.
Of all the stingy brothers you is the worst I ever seen.
I insist upon my share.
Don't say it's all run out.
Or else you'll all go--where?--that bad place I been preaching about.

Chorus

Chorus:

Oh, brethren if you want more preaching
Save a little dram for me. Glory, hallelujah!
Drinking gin ain't against my teaching.
Treat me with equality.
Now from that smell it's plain to see
Somebody here's holding out on me.
Oh, brethren if you want more preaching
Save a little dram for me. [even if it's white lightning]
                                         [bring it up with the collection]

As sung by Billy Murray

America, I must say I love you.
You've been more than a mother to me.
And although I must stray, yes, I'm going away,
Still my home you will always be.
So goodbye I am leaving you soon.
I must sail with the last day of June.

I'm Going to Settle Down Outside of London Town
Down in a village by the sea.
And you will find me there with the country air
Underneath some chestnut tree.
I must go over there.  I can't stay over here.
If I do I'll surely die,
For I'm a man who must have a little liquor
When I'm dry, dry, dry.

America, have you thought it over?
Why should you make the whole country dry?
There are millions like me who drink more than tea
In that hot, burning month-- July.
Won't you take this suggestion of mine?
If you don't, I will follow the wine.

I'm Going to Settle Down Outside of London Town
Nevermore you'll hear me sigh.
For you will find me there with the country air
And my good old rock and rye.

And when I die, don't bury me at all
Just pickle my bones in alcohol.
Put a bottle of booze at my head and feet.
So then I'll know that I will keep.

For I'm a man who must have a little liquor
When I'm dry, dry, dry.