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Around The Fireside
The Passing of the Pot
Thanks for venturing into my Living Room!
Make yourself at home and have a seat close to the fire. I hope you enjoy this old poem that my father picked up from his father.
« « The Passing of the Pot » »
"The Passing Of The Pot"
As Far Back As Childhood, As Memory May Go
One Household Vessel Greets Me, That Wasn't Meant To Show
Beneath the Bed 'Twas Anchored, Where Only Few Could See
But Served the Entire Family, With Equal Privacy
Some Called the Critter "Peggy," and Some the "Thundermug"
Others Called it "Badger," A Few Just Called it "Jug"
To Bring it In at Evening, Was Bad Enough No Doubt
But Heaven Help the Bloke, Who Had to Tote it Out
The Special One For Company, Was Decorated Well
But Just the Same it Rendered, That Ole Familiar Smell
Our Big One Was Enormous, and Would Accomodate
A Watermelon Party, Composed of Six or Eight
At Times When Things Were Rushing, and Business Extra Good
Each Took His Turn Awaiting, or Did the Best He Could
Sometimes When in a Hurry, To Our Disgust and Shame
We Fumbled in the Darkness, and Slightly Missed Our Aim
Today This Modernism, Relieves Me A Lot
and Only in My Vision, Do I See That Homely Pot
The Original Author is Not Forgotten, But Unfortunately Unknown
Tho His Works Are Well Remembered, By Those Who Ride the Throne
'Cause our Dear Ole Loving Dad
"The Captain of The Head"
Has Kept This Poem Oh So Very Alive
Boisterously Reciting in a Broken German Jive
Each & Ev'ry Time He Dumped A Lot
He quoted "The Passing Of The Pot"
Note: My father spoke perfect English, and his penmanship was excellent. He only used the Broken German Jive mentioned above when fooling around and having fun.
For advertising purposes, George F. Deutschmann of Des Peres, Missouri distributed numerous postcards and dodger-stock flyer's in the early 1900's. About 90% of these he drew or penned himself, others he bought prior to 1905 from Will Ecker, a local stock printer. The original typewritten copy of this poem was on Mr. Deutschmann's letterhead, and contained the closing line shown with the poem. Had he known the author, he would have attributed the poem to him.
In later years probably before WWII, this poem was found on an old photo postcard, part of the Frasher Foto Collection. The owners of this collection claim California photographer Burton Frasher, Sr. (1888-1955) is the creator. He published the poem verbatim, but without the closing lines. Most of the poetry and verses on Frasher's photo postcards were written by others. It is possible Mr. Deutschmann added the closing line to indicate he was not the author. However, it is highly probable Mr. Frasher was also not the original author, as he was only a teenager at the time Mr. Deutschmann distributed the poem. Many of Mr. Deutschmann's witty publications found their way across the nation.
