A big salute to Stan Freberg

A big salute to Stan Freberg. Before there was Weird Al’ Yankovic there was Stan Freberg. The movie called “Pursuit of Happiness” reminded me of an exchange on one of Stan Freberg’s albums. In it Ben Franklinis reluctant to sign the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson presents the document to Benjamin Franklin to read, which he does, aloud. The following exchange takes place:

"When in the course of human events . . . da, da, da . . . da, da, da . . . Life, liberty and the Purfuit of Happineff. All your s's look like f's here" he says. Thomas Jefferson says, “it’s styling, it’s in, its very in.” Shortly thereafter they break into a song called “A man can’t be to careful what he signs these days.”

"A Man Can't Be Too Careful What He Signs These Days"

"Come on and put your name on the dotted line
I gotta be particular what I sign
It's just a piece of paper
Just a piece of paper, that's what you say
Come on and put your signature on the list
It looks to have a subversive twist
How silly to assume it
Won't you nom de plum it today
You're so skittish
Who possibly could care if you do
The un-British activities committee, that's who
Let's have a little drink-o and fill the quill
It sounds a little pink-o to me but still
Knock off the timid manner
If you want a banner to raise
Banner to raise
You must take a stand
For this brave new land
For who wants to live
So conservative?
I don't disagree but a man can't be
Too careful what he signs these days"