Captain Billy's Whiz Bang, May 1922 · page 49 of 68
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang #33 — page 49: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three poems reflecting post-WWI social attitudes, circa 1920s. **"To the Underdog"** — Written by a Multnomah County jail inmate, this addresses unemployed or struggling men during the economically difficult 1920s. It's motivational verse encouraging perseverance through poverty and hardship, with the grim reminder that incarcerated men would "gladly take your place"—reflecting Depression-era desperation. **"Ho! Jackie"** — Appears to address a sailor, romanticizing transient romantic encounters in port cities—likely reflecting post-WWI demobilization when many servicemen returned home. **"Cock-a-Doodle-Do"** — A satirical poem by established humorist John Kendrick Bangs mocking boastful men who lack genuine accomplishments. The rooster metaphor suggests masculine posturing and empty braggadocio—possibly critiquing business leaders or politicians of the era who promoted prosperity they hadn't actually delivered. The page reflects 1920s working-class anxieties and satirical deflation of false authority.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang 47 **To the Underdog** The following poem was written by an inmate of the Multnomah County jail, Portland, Oregon, and was signed— By Wallie Mack Brace up fellows on the outside, Take your hardship with a smile; Better days will soon be coming, So have courage for a while. Though your purse is slightly busted, And you miss your cup of tea, There's no cause to feel disgusted For you still have liberty. Sometimes you may feel unlucky, And you're getting all the blame; That the time to show you're plucky And that you can play the game. So buck up, old pals; keep trying, Soon you'll find some worthwhile pay For the boys that do the sighing Always see the rainy day. Any time your heart feels weary And you're giving up the chase, Just recall—in jail are many Who would gladly take your place. * * * **Ho! Jackie** Your bright blue eyes are a sailor's eyes, Your hungry heart is a sailor's, too, And I know each port that you pass through, Will give one lass both bonney and wise Who has learned light love from a sailor's eyes. * * * **Cock-a-Doodle-Do** By John Kendrick Bangs I love to watch the rooster crow, He's like so many men I know Who brag and bluster, rant and shout And beat their many chests without The least damn thing to brag about.