Life, 1916-01-27 · page 7 of 44
Life — January 27, 1916 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a poem by Arthur Guiterman addressing "John Bullikins" (a diminutive, mocking name for John Bull, the personification of Britain). The illustrations show Uncle Sam (representing America) and John Bull as figures with a long shared history—acknowledging past disagreements ("thought you wrong") while affirming their deep bond. The satire's point: despite Anglo-American tensions, the two nations are fundamentally allied ("a better friend than you, John, / Is not beneath the sun"). The final image of schoolchildren marching with a British flag under Uncle Sam's direction suggests America and Britain moving forward together, hand-in-hand, as partners rather than rivals. The tone is affectionate teasing rather than hostile—acknowledging quarrels while celebrating kinship.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Uncle Sam to John Bull OHN BULLIKINS, my _ jo, John, We've known each other long. I've sometimes thought you right, John, And often thought you wrong, We've had our little tiffs, John ; Yet, whether friend or foe, I've nursed a high regard for you, John Bullikins, my jo. John Bullikins, my jo, John, What bunglers we have been !— For I'm a bungler, too, John, Which makes us closer kin. We'll somehow blunder through, John; Then humbly we will go To school together, hand-in-hand, John Bullikins, my jo. Arthur Guiterman, John Bullikins, my jo, John, When all is said and done, A better friend than you, John, Is not beneath the sun. You've planted noble John, Where men may freely grow ; I wouldn't lose you for the world, John Bullikins, my jo. realms, comicbooks.com