How Ya Gonna Keep 'em Down on the Farm (After They've Seen Paree)?
"How Ya Gonna Keep 'em Down on the Farm (After They've Seen Paree?)" is a World War I song that rose to popularity after the war had ended. The lyrics highlight concern that Black American soldiers from the South in particular would not continue to accept the status quo and/or would move North after experiencing the European city life and culture of Paris during World War I. Performances and recordings. The song was first introduced to vaudeville by Sophie Tucker. Eddie Cantor also  added it to his stage set. An early jazz band, Jim Europe's 369th Infantry Band frequently performed this song in 1919 after arriving back in New York. They recorded a version for Pathé Records and it became a hit for that year. Also, Nora Bayes and Billy Murray recorded it for Columbia that same year. Bayes' version reached number two on the US song charts in March 1919. Victor released its recording, featuring the singer Arthur Fields, on February 27, 1919. Like many World War I songs, it was sung by soldiers in World War II. Andrew Bird included  a more melancholy cover version in his 2007 EP "Soldier On". Composition. The song features music by Walter Donaldson and words by Joe Young and Sam M. Lewis. It was published in 1919 by Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co in New York. The team of Donaldson, Young and Lewis, wrote another topical song commenting on soldiers returning from the war that was released by Victor the day before "How Ya Gonna Keep Em Down on the Farm." "Don’t Cry Frenchy, Don’t Cry" was released by Victor on February 26, 1919. It featured the singers Charles Hart and Elliott  Shaw. The song is in the public domain. Pop culture. The phrase 'How you gonna keep them down on the farm once...' has entered the vernacular to indicate a person becoming enamored by a big city or more glamorous life. In the "Big Lebowski", the Dude says 'How you gonna keep 'em down on the farm once they've seen Karl Hungus?' referring to the runaway Bunny, who left the family farm to star in pornography in Los Angeles. In "The Limey", Wilson says of his daughter 'How you gonna keep her down on the farm after  she's seen L.A.?' In "Archer", Pam Poovey briefly sings an altered version of the song; "How you gonna keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen Pammy?" after having sex with Archer in the office elevator. In "The Lego Movie" (2014), the song is briefly sung in Judy Garland's voice by the character Metalbeard (using a sample from the 1942 film "For Me and My Gal"). In “Married… With Children” (S2 E4, Buck Can Do It) Steve says, “How you gonna keep them down on the farm after they’ve poked Paris?” referring to  Buck escaping through a hole in the back fence and impregnating the neighbors prize poodle.