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Politics and Music
Test #2 (Make-up, Spring 2008)
Directions: If you missed the test for a reason that is acceptable to the College Office (or if you made pre-arrangements with me), you can take it as a take-home. It is open book and notes, and graded as a paper. Honor code applies, of course. Answer all questions, typed, approximately two pages per question, double-spaced. Put it in my mailbox in 327 Tarbutton (the main office). If you did not already make approved pre-arrangements with me for taking this exam as a take-home, include a cover sheet that has the reason why you needed to miss the exam, and a copy of any official document backing it up (such as a letter from the Health Center, coach of the Emory team you are on, etc.) Time: 24 hours after you begin the exam.
1. Interpret the following song by Joe Hill titled, “The White Slave.”
One little girl, fair as a pearl,
Worked every day in a laundry;
All that she made for food she paid,
So she slept on a park bench so soundly;
An old procuress spied her there:
CHORUS:
Come with me now, my girly,
Don’t sleep out in the cold;
Your face and tresses curly
Will bring you fame and gold,
Automobiles to ride in, diamonds and silks to wear,
You’ll be a star bright, down in the red light,
You’ll make your fortune there.
Same little girl, no more a pearl,
Walks all alone ‘long the river,
Five years have flown, her health is gone,
She would look at the water and shiver,
Whene’er she’d stop to rest and sleep,
She’d hear a voice call from the deep:
Girls in this way, fall every day,
And have been falling for ages,
Who is to blame? You know his name,
It’s the boss that pays starvation wages.
A homeless girl can always hear
Temptations calling everywhere.
2. Who was Joe Hill? Describe his basic history. Why was he important to the labor movement? Include as many details as you can. How has Joe Hill's early death contributed to his impact with the labor movement in ways that Woody Guthrie could never equal? How is this political identity music?
3. Describe the historical origins of country music. What characteristics of country music lend themselves well to the purpose of conveying political and social ideas? How does country music compare with patriotic music, and why does country music often have a patriotic flavor? Describe some of the niche areas of country music in which highly politicized lyrics are directed at particular sub-populations.