The Great Know Nothing Song, I Don't Know, ca. 1850s

According to folklorist Don Yoder, who included an example of this song broadside in his book The Pennsylvania German Broadside: A History and Guide (2005), p. 11, "The Great Know Nothing" song "is a clever takeoff on the political party of the 1850s known as the 'Know-Nothings,' who ran against both Whigs and Democrats. The song adroitly transfers the 'Know-Nothing' cry of politics to the courting of Philadelphia's young people and the relation of husbands and wives, fathers and children. To get out of work, they all 'know nothing.'"

As Yoder mentions, the setting of this amusing political song is Philadelphia, which was also called Quaker City for its association with William Penn and other Quakers. I like the distinctive ornamental border that the printer used on this piece.

The Great Know Nothing Song,
"I Don't Know."
By Francis F. Eastlack,

Air--Bow, Wow, Wow.

Of all the many mighty things in this here Quaker City,
Of dark, and brown, and blue-eyed girls, with cheeks so plump and pretty;
Of all the wonders of the day that's horrible or shocking,
The greatest question of them all is who are the know nothings?

Chorus--I don't know;
Nor you don't know,
Then don't you ask me any thing,
For I don't know.

These men wear white hats all turned up, and at you boldly stare, sir,
They only speak with nods and winks, and never comb their hair, sir,
They beat both Whigs and Democrats, wherever they may go, sir,
And if you ask them any thing they'll answer, I don't know, sir.
I don't know, &c.

The ladies, too, God bless their hearts, I cannot help but love them,
For who with all their nods and winks, can ever be above them,
No, they know their tricks, their signs, their grips, from head to heel and toe, sir,
And should you ask a girl her name, shall answer, I don't know, sir.
I don't know, &c.

You dare not tell your wife be still, or say she's always squeeling,
Or you'll find a great big three legged stool around your head come reeling,
And the other day I asked my wife, only to mend my stockings,
Now not an other word, she cried, I'm a feminine Know Nothing.
I don't know, &c.

The other day I came from work, with heat was almost smothered,
Says I unto my youngest son, Ho, Sam! where is your mother?
Then he turned his fingers on his nose, and with a voice half mocking,
Why, dad, says he, why don't you know that I'm a young Know Nothing?
I don't know, &c.

We took this same smart son of ours one day to a public dinner,
And into corn, and pork, and beans, he pitched in like a sinner,
Says the lady, Now of all these men, your father to me show, Sam;
Then he looked me right straight in the face, and answered I don't know, ma'am.
I don't know, &c.

Young men, now marry from this lot of pretty girls around you,
And when your settled down in life, and family cares surround you,
Take the advice of one poor man, who's suffered deepest wo, sir,
Don't teach your little ones to say, why really, I don't know, sir.
I don't know, &c.

Now, ladies, don't you think 'tis hard, and don't you think it's shocking,
That we in free America, should all of us know nothing;
And don't you say with all your heart, I do believe it so, sir,
Or can you say, like all the rest, Why really I don't know, sir?
I don't know, &c.

Published by H. J. Kehr,
Central Hall,
Frankford Road and Master Streets,
And for sale at all the book stores.
Copyright secured.