Malvina Reynolds: Song Lyrics and Poems  

Black Hawk Blues

Notes: words by Malvina Reynolds, no music; not previously published. The Black Hawk was a night club whose owner built a “cage” separate from the rest of the audience so underaged (under 21, then) folks could hear the music separate from the drinking--a nice thought, but he was busted anyway.

I went down to the Black Hawk to get that cool root beer,
Down to the Black Hawk to get that soda clear.
Man at the door says, "No kiddies wanted here."

I went down to the Black Hawk to hear that cool band play,
Down to the Black Hawk to hear that MJQ play.
Man at the door says, "Pony tail, go away."

I says to the copper, "There's a cage in there for me."
Says, "Mr. Weiss built a cage in there for me."
Copper he says, "The Big Milkman¹ don't agree."

"The mayor he told us to throw the book at you.
Mr. Christopher told us to throw the book at you.
There isn't no law, so any old book will do."

"Mayor of this city is very pure and wise.
Mayor and cops are pure and proper guys.
This ain't no gay bar, but we still have to supervise."

Well, we went from the Black Hawk, no place else to go,
We left that old Black Hawk with its band so clear and low.
Went down to the corner and hung around nowheres row.

Malvina Reynolds songbook(s) in which the music to this song appears:
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Malvina Reynolds recording(s) on which this song is performed:
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Additional note
1. "The Big Milkman" refers to then San Francisco Mayor George Christopher, who owned a milk company.