"Sahara (We'll Soon Be Dry Like You)", Esther Walker - Victor 18613-A 
(08/08/1919)

This week's theme: "Prohibition"

I have very few songs about "prohibition" (when the manufacture and sale of 
alcoholic beverages was illegal). This song actually anticipates it - it was 
recorded in 1919 - prohibition took effect January 17, 1920. Of course they 
knew it was coming. It required a constitutional amendment to implement it 
nationwide though a fair number of cities and states already had it locally.

People who were for it were called "drys" and those against it "wets".

Prohibition in the United States (1920 to 1933)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_the_United_States

My Dad told me once he took a date to a "speakeasy" (of sorts) once. He said 
it was on an island in a lake and they had a band shell and tables and a bar 
and everything. He said they sold you a "near-beer" (alcohol-free beer) with 
a shot of whiskey to spike it.

Doing the math - prohibition ended in 1933 - my Dad could have been at MOST 
20 years old - definitely under age!

I guess if the whole thing is illegal nobody's going to card you.

One of the arguments for repel was that it had created a widespread underage 
drinking problem.


Esther Walker
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esther_Walker


MOONLIGHT BAY - Billy Murray & the American Quartet - 1912 Victor First 
Prize Record
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7HpIgXCV90

Billy Murray - Under the Anheuser Bush (1904)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOxrFGXQrzY

Billy Murray - Meet Me In St. Louis, Louis 1904 St. Louis World's Fair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf_DvVW1q1g

Billy Murray - He'd Have to get under Get out and get under - 1913 - Victor 
Record Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQsdEkQCZSs


Arthur Collins - "The Oceana Roll" (1911)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6ZR1Ywjs6I