Many soldiers moved to the city after WWI, 1919.
words by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young
music by Walter Donaldson
The U.S. fought with the French against Germany in World War 1. This exposed the soldiers to European cities and culture. That caused a lowering of moral standards and accelerated the migration away from rural living. “Jay” refers to Kansans and was used here to represent all young farmers. Many would not settle again for the drudgery of farm life. The tune is snappy, light-hearted, bright, and bouncy. The lyrics are comical and humorous. There is a borrowing from the song Reuben and Rachel (1871).
The sheet music:
Accompaniment track:
Lyrics
- “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 to mother, and he asked her with a grin
Chorus
How ‘ya gonna keep ’em down on the farm
After they’ve seen Paree?
How ‘ya gonna keep ’em away from Broadway
Jazzin’ aroun’, 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?
(2nd time only: 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?”
- “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”
Sung here by Fred Feild: