Harry Carey GoodhueYou never marveled, dullards of Spoon River,When Chase Henry voted against the saloonsTo revenge himself for being shut off.But none of you was keen enoughTo follow my steps, or trace me homeAs Chase’s spiritual brother.Do you remember when I foughtThe bank and the courthouse ring,For pocketing the interest on public funds?And when I fought our leading citizensFor making the poor the pack-horses of the taxes?And when I fought the water worksFor stealing streets and raising rates?And when I fought the business menWho fought me in these fights?Then do you remember:That staggering up from the wreck of defeat,And the wreck of a ruined career,I slipped from my cloak my last ideal,Hidden from all eyes until then,Like the cherished jawbone of an ass,And smote the bank and the water works,And the business men with prohibition,And made Spoon River pay the costOf the fights that I had lost.
You never marveled, dullards of Spoon River,When Chase Henry voted against the saloonsTo revenge himself for being shut off.But none of you was keen enoughTo follow my steps, or trace me homeAs Chase’s spiritual brother.Do you remember when I foughtThe bank and the courthouse ring,For pocketing the interest on public funds?And when I fought our leading citizensFor making the poor the pack-horses of the taxes?And when I fought the water worksFor stealing streets and raising rates?And when I fought the business menWho fought me in these fights?Then do you remember:That staggering up from the wreck of defeat,And the wreck of a ruined career,I slipped from my cloak my last ideal,Hidden from all eyes until then,Like the cherished jawbone of an ass,And smote the bank and the water works,And the business men with prohibition,And made Spoon River pay the costOf the fights that I had lost.