How 'ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm

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In 2024, when I updated this broken link, in Love in the time of Coronavirus, I asked ChatGPT for more information. This is what it told me:

"How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm" is a classic American song that captures the essence of a transformative period in history. Written in 1919 by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young, with music composed by Walter Donaldson, the song emerged during the aftermath of World War I, reflecting the societal changes and challenges faced by returning soldiers.

During World War I, millions of young men left their small-town lives to join the military and fight on foreign soil. These soldiers were exposed to new cultures, technologies, and experiences that often contrasted sharply with the traditional, agrarian lifestyle they had known. The war represented a seismic shift in societal dynamics, and the returning soldiers found themselves grappling with the challenge of readjustment.

When released, the tune became a cultural phenomenon, symbolizing the societal shift post-war. Its catchy melody and lyrics encapsulate the universal struggle between the allure of urban modernity and the comforts of rural roots.

The lyrics of "How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm" paint a vivid picture of this struggle. Lines like "How ya gonna keep 'em away from Broadway, jazzin' around and paintin' the town?" express the allure of the vibrant city life, with its cultural offerings and lively entertainment, compared to the simplicity of farm life.

Beyond its initial popularity, "How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm" has endured as a piece of Americana, often referenced in discussions about the impact of war on individuals and communities. Its nostalgic yet forward-looking tone reflects the complex emotions surrounding the aftermath of a global conflict. The song serves as a cultural artifact, encapsulating a moment in history when the world was transitioning, and individuals were grappling with the profound changes brought about by war and modernization.

This YouTube presentation contains some interesting images from the period

Composed by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young, with music by Walter Donaldson

[Verse 1]: "Reuben, Reuben, I've been thinking", said his wifey dear, "Now that all is peaceful and calm, The boys will soon be back on the farm", Mister Reuben started winking, And slowly rubbed his chin, He pulled his chair up close to mother, And he asked her with a grin.

[Chorus 1]: How 'ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm, After they've seen Paree? How 'ya gonna keep 'em, Away from Broadway, Jazzin' around', And paintin' the town? How 'ya gonna keep 'em, Away from harm? That's a mystery, They'll never want to see a rake or plow, And who the deuce can parley vous a cow? How 'ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm, After they've seen Paree?

[Verse 2]: "Reuben, Reuben, You're mistaken", said his wifey dear, "Once a farmer, Always a jay, And farmers always stick to the hay", "Mother Reuben, I'm not fakin', Tho' you may think it strange, But wine and women play the mischief, With a boy who's loose with change".

[Chorus 2]: How 'ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm, After they've seen Paree? How 'ya gonna keep 'em, Away from Broadway, Jazzin' around', And paintin' the town? How 'ya gonna keep 'em, Away from harm? That's a mystery, Imagine Reuben when he meets his pa, He'll kiss his cheek and holler "Oo-la-la!" How 'ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm, After they've seen Paree?

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