Did you know that Woody Guthrie hated Trump? “Old Man Trump” were song lyrics written in 1954 but never recorded by American folk singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie. This is the story of Woody Guthrie and his fight against the racist housing practices of Guthrie’s landlord, Fred Trump, the father of President Donald Trump. Following the story is a ukulele play-along featuring:
- Chords & Full Lyrics: Follow along with the chords and full lyrics displayed on the screen. This makes it super easy to play and sing along. I am playing it on my baritone ukulele, but the chords displayed onscreen are for standard ukuleles.
- Perfect for Beginners: This play-along is designed for new ukulele players with just four chords! It is simple and enjoyable to learn.
- Improve Your Skills: Playing along with this video will help you improve your timing, chord transitions, and overall ukulele skills.
Video Transcript:
Hey everyone! I wanted to share a quick history, followed by a play-along video of Woody Guthrie’s song “Old Man Trump.” Woody Guthrie, champion of social justice and the writer of songs like, “This Land is Your Land,” wrote lyrics many times about President Donald Trump’s father, Fred Trump.
Woody rented an apartment at Beach Haven, one of Trump’s apartment complexes in Brooklyn, during the early ‘50s. He was disgusted by Trump’s blatant racist housing practices and discriminatory rental policies.
There are several handwritten lyric drafts of this song with titles like “Beach Haven Ain’t My Home”, “Trump Made a Tramp Out of Me”, and “Old Man Trump”. The lyrics all repeatedly condemn Trump’s “color line,” enforced in his housing projects.
Fred Trump faced accusations of racism throughout his life. In 1927, Fred Trump was arrested during a clash between the Ku Klux Klan and police in Queens. In 1954, around the time Woody penned these lyrics, his unfair housing practices were ordered to be investigated by President Dwight Eisenhower.
Finally, in 1973, the U.S. Justice Department sued the Trump Organization for violating the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against Black tenants. The Trump Organization’s president at this time was, you guessed it…Donald Trump.
I hope you found the inspiration for this Woody Guthrie song as interesting as I did. Without further ado, here is the ukulele play-along to “Old Man Trump.”
Ukulele Play-Along to “Old Man Trump”
Lyrics by Woody Guthrie, 1954, Arranged by Eric Guerin (Download a PDF)
[VERSE 1]
G C G
I suppose that Old Man Trump knows just how much racial hate
G A7 D
He stirred up in that blood pot of human hearts
G C G
When he drawed that color line, at his Beach Haven family project
G D G
I suppose Old Man Trump knows just how much…
[CHORUS]
G C G
Beach Haven ain’t my home! No, I just can’t pay this rent!
G A7 D
My money’s down the drain, And my soul is badly bent!
G C G
Beach Haven is Trump’s Tower, where no black folks come to roam,
G D G
No, no, no Old Man Trump! Old Beach Haven ain’t my home!
[VERSE 2]
G C G
I’m calling out my welcome to you and your man both
G A7 D
Welcoming you here to Beach Haven
G C G
To love in any way you please and to have a decent place
G D G
To have your kids raised up in.
[REPEAT CHORUS]
[REPEAT VERSE 1]
[REPEAT CHORUS X2 TAG LAST LINE]
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