WHY I LIKE ROOSEVELT (Willie Eason)
As recorded by Willie Eason (1921 - 2005)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DlKDNB4B5o4
Why'd you like Roosevelt* (1)? Wasn't no kin.
Why'd you like Roosevelt? Wasn't no kin.
Why'd you like Roosevelt? Wasn't no kin.
Lord God almighty! Was a poor man's friend.
Year of nineteen forty-five,
A good president laid down and died.
I knew how all of the poor people felt.
They received the message: "We lost Roosevelt."
In his life there were all indications
That [at] Warm Springs, Georgia, he received salvation.
Listen, friend, but don't you rush:
Elizabeth Shoumatoff (2), she grabbed a brush,
Dipped it in water, and began to paint,
Looked at the president and began to think.
She never painted a picture for him at night.
She knew that the president didn't look right.
The time of day it was twelve o'clock.
Tell me that Elizabeth had to stop.
Good God almighty! She started too late.
That's why they call this that unfinished portrait.
A little bit later, about one thirty,
He had a cerebral hemorrhage and the world looked muddy.
They called Atlanta, Washington, too.
Like zigzag lightning the call went through.
They called long distant to notify his wife.
Doctor Bruin (3) said he died at three thirty-five.
Great God almighty! Wasn't no bells to tone.
Less than thirty minutes the world was in mourn,
And I cried about Roosevelt.
I cried about Roosevelt.
I cried about Roosevelt
Well, Roosevelt's administration Congress assembled.
First time in history part of the Negro general
General Benjamin O. Davis (4) I'm trying to relate,
First Negro general of the United States.
And after Dorie Miller (5) had shown his skill,
They kept a-sending him to sea until he got killed.
Roosevelt said, "I'll back the attack,"
'Pointed a Negro captain over white and black.
This qualified man was Humo Zack (?)***.
Racial prejudice he tried to rule out,
Invited Negro leaders into the White House.
He advocated the fair practice of labor
To let the poor man know he was our emancipator.
Made Madame Bethune (6) a lady of the land.
He made part of his will to Mister Prettyman.**
He endorsed inventions of Doctor Washington Carver.
This is why that I said he was our earthly father,
'Cause he took my feet out of the miry clay.
Haven't had to look back at the WPA (7).
That is why I like Roosevelt,
Why I like Roosevelt,
Why I like Roosevelt.
Well, Hoover(8)'s administration Congress assembled.
All of the poor folk began to tremble.
The rich would ride in the automobile.
Depression made poor people rob and steal.
Well, look next door to...[unintelligible]...
⊠getting anything for their hard labor.
Great God almighty! They were moonshine stillin',
Brought about a crime wave, robbin' and killin'.
After Hoover had made the poor man moan,
Roosevelt stepped in, gave us a comfortable home.
It was sad about Roosevelt,
Sad about Roosevelt,
Mmm, sad about Roosevelt.
Well, I've told you the hist'ry of Roosevelt's life.
Now he's done with his grief and strife.
Great God almighty! But he left a sweet wife,
Had been so worried since she was a girl,
After Roosevelt's death what would become of the world?
She notified her son across the sea:
"Don't get worried about poor me,
But keep on fighting for victory.
Your father is dead, boy; you're all a-grown.
Would worry 'bout your father but the world's in mourn.
It was sad about Roosevelt,
Sad about Roosevelt,
Mmm, sad about Roosevelt.
Well, God almighty knew just what was best.
He knew that the president he needed a rest.
His battle done fought, victory done won,
Our problems have just begun.
Your burden get heavy and you don't know what to do,
Call on Jesus; he's a president too.
It's sad about Roosevelt,
Mmm, sad about Roosevelt,
Mmm, sad about Roosevelt.
Lord God almighty! Was a poor man's friend.
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