The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE OLD AGE PENSION CHECK

WHEN OUR OLD AGE PENSION CHECK
COMES TO THE DOOR, WE WON'T HAVE TO DREAD THE POOR HOUSE ANYMORE,
THO' WE'RE OLD AND GREY, GOOD TIMES WILL BE BACK TO STAY, WHEN
OUR OLD AGE PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE DOOR. WHEN OUR OLD AGE
PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE DOOR, DEAR OLD GRAMMA WON'T BE
LONESOME ANYMORE, SHE'LL BE WAITING AT THE GATE, EVERYNIGHT
SHE'LL HAVE A DATE, WHEN OUR OLD AGE PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE
DOOR. GROW A FLOWING LONG WHITE BEARD AND USE A CANE, 'CAUSE
YOU'RE IN YOUR SECOND CHILDHOOD DON'T COMPLAIN. LIFE WILL JUST
BEGIN AT SIXTY AND WE'LL ALL BE VERY FRISKY, WHEN OUR OLD AGE
PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE DOOR. POWER AND PAINT WILL BE
ABOLISHED ON THAT DAY, AND HOOP SKIRTS THEN WILL BE BROUGHT BACK
INTO PLAY. FADED CHECKS WILL BE RAGE AND OLD MAIDS WILL TELL THEIR
AGE WHEN OUR OLD AGE PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE DOOR. ALL THE
DRUG STORES WILL GO BANKRUPT ON THAT DAY, FOR COSMETICS THEN WILL
ALL BE PUT AWAY. I'LL PUT FLAPPERS ON THE SHELVES, AND GET A
GRANDMA FOR MYSELF, WHEN OUR OLD AGE PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE
DOOR. THERE'S A MAN WHO TURNED THIS COUNTRY UPSIDE DOWN, WITH HIS
OLD AGE RUMORS GOING 'ROUND, IF YOU WANT IN ON THE FUN, SEND YOUR
DIME TO WASHINGTON, AND THE OLD AGE PENSION MAN WILL BE AROUND.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: CA00001973