In Kentucky.

(A Response to Judge Mulligan's Famous Toast.)


The moonlight may be softest
    In Kentucky,
And summer days come oftest
    In Kentucky,
But friendship is the strongest
    When the money lasts the longest
Or you sometimes get in wrongest
    In Kentucky.

Sunshine is the brightest
    In Kentucky,
And a right is often rightest
    In Kentucky,
While plain girls are the fewest,
    They work their eyes the truest,
They leave a fellow bluest
    In Kentucky.

All debts are treated lightest
    In Kentucky,
So make your home the brightest
    In Kentucky,
If you have the social entree
    You need never think of pay,
Or, at least, that's what they say
    In Kentucky.

Orators are the proudest
    In Kentucky,
And they always talk the loudest
    In Kentucky.
While boys may be the fliest,
    Their money is the shyest,
They carry bluffs the highest
    In Kentucky.

Pedigrees are longest
    In Kentucky,
Family trees the strongest
    In Kentucky.
For blue blood is a pride,
    But, if you've ever tried
You'll find 'sporting blood' inside
    In Kentucky.

Society is exclusive
    In Kentucky,
So do not be intrusive
    In Kentucky.
If you want the right of way,
    And have the coin to pay,
You'll be in the swim to stay
    In Kentucky.

The race track's all the money
    In Kentucky,
But don't you go there, sonny
    In Kentucky.
For, while thoroughbreds are fleetest,
    They get your coin the neatest,
And leave you looking seediest
    In Kentucky.

Short-skates are the thickest
    In Kentucky,
They spot a sucker quickest
    In Kentucky.
They'll set up to a drink,
    Get your money 'fore you think,
And you get the "dinky dink"
    In Kentucky.

If you want to be fraternal
    In Kentucky,
Just call a fellow "Colonel"
    In Kentucky,
Or, give a man a nudge
    And say, "How are you, Judge?"
For they never call that "fudge"
    In Kentucky.

But when you have tough luck
    In Kentucky,
In other words "get stuck"
    In Kentucky,
Just raise your voice and holler
    And you'll always raise a dollar,
While a drink is sure to follow
    In Kentucky.

'Tis true that birds sing sweetest
    In Kentucky,
That women folk are neatest
    In Kentucky,
But there are things you shouldn't tell
    About our grand old State--and, well--
Politics is h----l
    In Kentucky.

Edwin C. Ranck

Edwin C. Ranck was an American lyricist noted for his work in the early 20th century. He was a prolific writer and his lyrics were often characterized by their humor and wit. One of his standout works is the poem 'The Optimist', which reflects his positive outlook on life. Beyond that, little is known about his personal life or career. He remains a somewhat obscure figure in literary history.

Edwin C. Ranck

Loving John.

Edwin C. Ranck, Simple Poetry

To Poe.

Edwin C. Ranck, Simple Poetry

The Rubaiyat Of A Kentuckian.

Edwin C. Ranck, Simple Poetry

English

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I be'n down in ole Kentucky
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Feed you tell you hear the buttons
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