This week on Three Tune Tuesday, we crank up the victrola and tune into the timeless spirit of defiance—not just as a reaction, but as a rhythm pulsing through American history. From the railroad tracks to the dance halls, from the front lines of war to the backrooms of resistance, defiance has always had a soundtrack—and tonight, we’re dropping the needle on three of its most unforgettable grooves.
Lyrics
The Ballad of Casey Jones
Come all you rounders for I want you to hear
The story of a brave engineer
Casey Jones was the rounder’s name
On an eight six-wheeler boys he won his fame
Now the caller called Casey ’bout half-past four
He kissed his wife at the station door
He mounted to the cabin with his orders in his hand
Said; “I’m gonna take my trip to the promised land”
Casey Jones mounted to the cabin
Casey Jones with his orders in his hand
Casey Jones mounted to the cabin
Said;”I’m gonna take tke my trip to the promised land
Pour on the water boys shovel on the coal
Stick your head out the window see the drivers roll
Gonna run her ’til she leaves the rail
‘Cause I’m nine hours late with the western mail
Now Casey passed out of South Memphis on the fly
Heard the firemane say ” Boy you got a white-eye “
The switchman knew by the engine’s moan
That the man at the throttle was Casey Jones
Now Casey got to that certain place
Old number nine stared him straight in the face
He said to fireman ” Boy you better jump
Cause there’s two locomotives and they’re bound to bump”
Well Mrs. Casey Jones she sat there on the bed
She got the telegram that her poor husband was dead
She said; “Go to bed children and hush your crying
‘Cause you got another papa on the Salt Lake line”
Tell That to the Marines
About a year ago?
We told your old friend Bernstorff
That he better pack and go
You laughed and said
“America possessed no fighting stuff,”
Until our fighting Yankee boys
Walked in and called your bluff
That Monte Cristo idea will not do
If you think that the world belongs to you
Tell that to the Marines
Those deviling hounds who know what fighting means
You are going to lick the world– you said you will–
If you mean Uncle Sam, now listen Kaiser Bill:
Tell that to the Marines
The first to fight on all the fighting scenes
If you think you’ll sink our new boat
With your damned old u-boat
Tell that to the Marines
That line of Hindenburg’s would never break, you made a vow
It must be made of rubber, Bill
The way it’s bending now
The Krupp works that you bragged about
You rave of them no more
We’ll change them to the bankrupt works when we end up this war
So Kaiser Bill at warfare we are new
If you think now the Yankee drive is through
Those deviling hounds who know what fighting means
We are going to have six million men in line
Kaiser Bill, if you don’t think they will cross the Rhine
Tell that to the Marines
The first to fight on all the fighting scenes
If you think the Yanks won’t whirl-in
Right straight into Berlin
Tell that to the Marines
How ya Gonna Keep em Down on the Farm
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
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 parleyvous a cow?
How ya gonna keep ’em down on the farm
After they’ve seen Paree’
Rueben, Rueben, 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’
Though you may think it strange
But wine and women play the mischief
With a boy who’s loose with change
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 parleyvous a cow?
How ya gonna keep ’em down on the farm
After they’ve seen Paree’
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’?