Life, 1919-07-10 · page 7 of 50
Life — July 10, 1919 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features an illustration and poem titled "Tommy," depicting a social encounter between city dwellers visiting their hometown. The scene shows well-dressed urbanites meeting local townspeople, with the caption "WHEN YOU VISIT YOUR OLD HOME-TOWN WITH YOUR CITY-BRED WIFE." The satirical point concerns class tension and social embarrassment: the poem humorously describes "Tommy," apparently a local acquaintance, as rough-mannered and uncouth—he fights, swears, drinks, and behaves poorly. The satire mocks both Tommy's crude behavior and the city visitors' discomfort encountering their old community through their spouse's presumably refined sensibilities. The poem affectionately defends Tommy's "grit" and loyalty despite his roughness, suggesting tension between urban sophistication and rural authenticity—a common early-20th-century American theme.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WHEN YOU VISIT YOUR OLD HOME-TOWN WITH YOUR CITY-BRED WIFE Gommy LEER about Tommy; we can’t get along with him NS Always in wrong with him; can’t seem to fix it: Ought to be chums, but whenever we chat with him We hit the mat with him. Gee, how we mix it! He's our blood-brother, but, somehow or other, When we meet Tommy it’s “Call for the cop!” Yet when we're waiting in trenches that hide us, We like to know that Tommy’s beside us, Ready to climb with us over the top. Tommy, oh, 1 . here's lookin’ at you! We fight you whenever you heave into view But when the guns boom an’ there's trouble to share Tommy, oh, Tommy, we're glad you are there! Strange about Tommy: we like the plain style of him Love the warm smile of him, never down-hearted ; Yet when we meet him we need the M. P.’s around, Swarming like bees around, getting us parted Blood they say’s thicker than water or licker, Still, it runs fast when we gather, I've found; But when barrages our ear-drums are foggin’. When a drive starts that is do . Tommy's a bird we like stickin’ around! dan’ slogg Tommy, oh, Tommy, here's to you, old dear! We can't agree, though the reason am't clear Vet then the game ts to shatter the Hut Tommy, oh, Tommy, ze fight him as one Truth about Tommy is, he stands all right with Though he will fight with us when we're together Down in our hearts we admire the brave wit he has, Love the grim grit he has, built for rough weather. What if we batter each other, no matter— When the gas thickens and shells crash an’ whine, When it’s close work in a battle that’s bloody Tommy's our pal an’ our chum an’ our Buddy ; We like to know he is next to our line! Tommy, oh, Tommy, here's to you, old horse! You're the style soldier we're proud to endorse Though we may scrap with you when you are nigh, Tommy, oh, Tommy, you're some little guy! comicbooks.com