The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1893-06-23

NEW YORK SUN. ]

If you are on the lookout for new
expressions of popular sort, you
must have heard this one: HE got it
where the chicken got the an" 1t
has been in use OF late and it will not
be long before all the variety and
some of the Legitimate theaters will
help to spread it, while in courts, sa-
looms, clubs and on cars it will Sc
cure extensive circulation.
The genealogy of the expression is
this: In most European countries the
mode Of execution-hanging, guillo-
tine garrote, or beheading-disposes
of the victim through the most vul-
nerable portion Of his anatomy to
force---the neck. 1t was so in this
State until electricity was introduced
as the official method of execution.
In most other American States hang
ing, either as the lawful mode of cap
ital punishment or by the interven-
ton of Judge Lynch, is still the ordi-
nary method OF execution. ITO get
it in the neck" has been, therefore, a
perfectly logical statement of summa-
ry injury or fatal disaster. The au-
thor of "Where the Chicken Got the
AK" (it is song like MeGinty's fall,
McCloskeys overthrow or Ta-ra-ra
Boom decay, and in that form will be-
come most popular) has improved on
that foundation, and constructed. so
to speak a"ballad based on the truth.
Here is how the first verse goes:
"In the country once farmer killeda
chicken with an ak,
Just by striking him single little
blow,
But noticed he took extra care to
land upon his neck,
And the poor old rooster gave his
final crow;
Then quickly told the farmer that /
thought he was brute.
And / got so mad, l challenged him
to fight.
Then he threw aside his AK and said:
I'll give you fight enough!'
When he made rush and hit me
all his might,
And got it where the chicken got the
ak,
Just because made too many sassy
croaks;
But his blow l failed to check, so it
landed on my neck,
Just exactly where the chicken got
the AK"
Stanza second tells how youthful
swain fell in love with a handsome
city damsel who was reputed possess
or of great wealth. Soon after their
marriage this interesting episode &C.
cured:
when she told him she was wealthy
Brown gave up his job,
And the best Havanas only would
he smoker
But one night he went to touch her
tor some cash, and then she said:
why, that story OF my wealth was
all joke.
Brown had got it where the chicken
got the AK;
OF her past life then he learned
some funny facts.
She'd been married twice before; Jim
my Christmas! Brown was sore,
For he got it where the chicken got
the AK"
But Brown, the joyous Benedict,
was not the only man to experience
the disappointment of human conceit.
Oh, dear, no! There was another in
dividual who suffered from the AK
treatment quite as bitterly, if not as
long:
"In poker game sat one night and
thought had a cinch
With countryman who lives at
Jayville;
When he drew one card, said I, He's
drawing for flush"
And saw my chance in case his
hand he'd fill;
Then from underneath the table took
out four lovely jacks,
Where had them laid away to
make haul.
Then he bet until my cash was out. my
diamond pin as WE'LL
And then, with smile, said I
guess I'll call.
And got it where the chicken got
the AK,
For, OF course, you know that aces
they beat jacks;
And the jay contented sat, for he had
four aces pat,
So / got it where the chicken got
the az"