Clear the Track for Old Kentucky
Henry Clay ran for President for the third and last time in 1844. His running mate was Theodore Felinghuysen. Running under the Whig party, they lost by just 1.5% of the popular vote. As was common, political songs were written to popular tunes of the day, both for and against the candidates. This song was published in a Kentucky newspaper and was set to the tune of "Old Dan Tucker".
The moon is shining silver bright, To match our Harry of the West,
The stars with glory crown the night; They bring out one they call their best;
That same Old Coon up in a tree, But whom the people will revoke,
Grins at the Loco nominee. The only rhyme for James K. Polk.
Get out of the way, get out of the way, Get out of the way &c.
Get out of the way, the country's rising
For Harry Clay and Frelinghuysen. Now what to us is quite surprising,
Wright wouldn't run 'gainst Frelinghuysen;
In Baltimore that motley crew He knew he couldn't go it strong,
Of every shade and every hue, Silas is right, and they are wrong.
Have, after much debate, agreed Get out of the way &c.
To run a most unworthy steed.
Get out of the way &c. So now they think to overhaul us,
With Pennsylvania's Geo. M. Dallas,
Though once they sang, "Oh! Rumpsy Dumpsy, Her vote, he never can obtain,
Col. Johnson killed Tecumseh;" And all their efforts are in vain.
Abandoned in this shameful way, Get out of the way &c.
He'd doubtless like to run with Clay
Get out of the way &c. As Johny Tyler's in the field,
And will not to the Locos yield,
And Cass, who cringed and fawned in State, Ahasuerus should consent,
To be the party candidate; To be his Pa's Vice President.
In future days, we all agree, Get out of the way &c.
Should write his name without the C.
Get out of the way &c. But in the fall out loud Whig thunder,
Will break "the power of public plunder,"
Calhoun from party strife remote, And Dallas, Polk, and Bob, and Pa,
Obtained but one Chivalric vote; Will groan beneath an evil star!
At such a time, what can he do, Get out of the way &c.
But go for Ty and Texas too.
Get out of the way &c.
Alas! for little Matty Van,
Not, even now the Enquirer's man;
You can't get in by hook or crook,
So trot back home to Kinderhook.
Get out of the way &c.