Captain Billy's Whiz Bang, March 1924 · page 50 of 71
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang #57 — page 50: what you’re looking at
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**"A Southland Zephyr"** is a satirical poem mocking regional American stereotypes. It contrasts the "West" (rural, rough, bootlegging during Prohibition with "wood alcohol") with the "East" (effete, fashion-conscious). The joke hinges on exaggerated physical differences: Western men are tough; Eastern men are feminized ("girlish figger"). The finale celebrates Texas identity above both regions—capturing 1920s regionalism and the cultural divide between rural and urban America. **"The Ballad of Eden"** is sexual/social satire about women's changing fashion and modesty standards. It traces how women's clothing gradually became more revealing (ankles, bosoms, knees, now "knickers"). The final couplet jokes that describing further changes would constitute obscenity prosecutable under law. This reflects 1920s anxieties about "flapper" fashion and changing morality post-WWI. Both pieces use humor to comment on social change and regional/gender divisions of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Farmyard Fun and Filosofy 45 A Southland Zephyr Whe-e does the West begin— Out where the Fords are a little thicker— Out where wood alcohol is liquor That's where the West begins. Where does the East begin— Back where the neck is a little trimmer Back where the eye is a trifle dimmer— That's where the East begins. Where does the West begin— Out where the vests are a little louder— Out where the air has the smell of powder— That's where the West begins. Where does the East begin— Back where the men have a girlish figger— Back where the wives pull a hairset trigger— That's where the East begins. OH, THE GOSH DARN WEST AND THE GOSH DARN EAST BOTH SWOLE UP LIKE A TUB O' YEAST: WOULDN'T WANTA LIVE WOULDN'T WANTA DIE ANYWHERE BUT HERE—I'M A TEXAS GUY! * * * The Ballad of Eden A lady's arch, long years ago, Would make her blush red should it show! And later ankles came to light, Along with bosoms bare and white. Still later, as time flew a-past, Her dainty knees were viewed at last. And now the boy can sneer and snicker For she has donned the lovely knicker. But now, dear friends, we'll close our tale. Should we proceed we'd go to jail!