Set
to the tune of Yankee Doodle Dandy, John L. Campbell, a satirist from
Marion County, Mo, 1839, penned the Honey War Poem --it
definitely leans toward Missouri! Lucas was the territorial Governor
of Iowa Territory and Boggs was Governor of Missouri.
Ye
freemen of the happy land Which flows with milk and honey,
Arise! To arms! Your ponies mount! Regard not blood nor money.
Old Governor Lucas, tiger-like Is prowling 'round our borders.
But Governor Boggs is wide awake - Just listening to his orders.
Three bee trees stand about the line Between our State and Lucas.
Be ready all those trees to fall, And bring things to a focus.
We'll show old Lucas how to brag, And seize our precious honey!
He also claims, I understand, Of us three-bits of money.
Conventions, boys, now let us hold Our honey trade demands it;
Likewise the three-bits, all in gold, We all misunderstand it!
Why shed our brother's blood in haste, Because "big men" require it.
Be not in haste our blood to waste, No prudent men desire it.
Now, if the Governors want to fight, Just let them meet in person.
And when noble Boggs old Lucas flogs, T'will teach the scamp a lesson.
Then let the victor cut the trees, And have three-bits in money.
And wear a crown from town to town, Anointed with pure honey.
And then no widows will be made, No orphans unprotected.
Old Lucas will be nicely flogged, And from our line ejected.
Our honey trade will then be laid Upon a solid basis,
And Governor Boggs, where 'er he jogs, Will meet with smiling faces.
Arise! To arms! Your ponies mount! Regard not blood nor money.
Old Governor Lucas, tiger-like Is prowling 'round our borders.
But Governor Boggs is wide awake - Just listening to his orders.
Three bee trees stand about the line Between our State and Lucas.
Be ready all those trees to fall, And bring things to a focus.
We'll show old Lucas how to brag, And seize our precious honey!
He also claims, I understand, Of us three-bits of money.
Conventions, boys, now let us hold Our honey trade demands it;
Likewise the three-bits, all in gold, We all misunderstand it!
Why shed our brother's blood in haste, Because "big men" require it.
Be not in haste our blood to waste, No prudent men desire it.
Now, if the Governors want to fight, Just let them meet in person.
And when noble Boggs old Lucas flogs, T'will teach the scamp a lesson.
Then let the victor cut the trees, And have three-bits in money.
And wear a crown from town to town, Anointed with pure honey.
And then no widows will be made, No orphans unprotected.
Old Lucas will be nicely flogged, And from our line ejected.
Our honey trade will then be laid Upon a solid basis,
And Governor Boggs, where 'er he jogs, Will meet with smiling faces.
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