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"The Ballad of Czolgosz" is a song from the musical Assassins. It features the Balladeer narrating Leon Czolgosz's assassination of President William Mckinley.
Performers[]
| Character | Original Off-Broadway | London Premiere | Broadway Premiere | London revival | Encores! Off Center | 2021 Off-Broadway Revival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Balladeer | Patrick Cassidy | Anthony Barclay | Neil Patrick Harris | Jamie Parker | Clifton Duncan | Ethan Slater |
Lyrics[]
Czolgosz, working man
Born in the middle of Michigan
Woke with a thought
And away he ran
To the Pan-American Exposition
In Buffalo
In Buffalo
Saw of a sudden
How things were run
Said, "Time's a-wasting
It's nineteen-one
Some men have everything
And some have none
So rise and shine—
In the U.S.A
You can work your way
To the head of the line!"
[Single line, ladies and gentlemen. Line forms here to meet the President of the United States. Single line to shake hands with President William McKinley.]
Czolgosz, quiet man
Worked out a quiet
And simple plan
Strolled of a morning
All spick and span
To the Temple of Music
By the Tower of Light
At the Pan-American Exposition
In Buffalo
In Buffalo
Saw Bill McKinley there
In the sun
Heard Bill McKinley say
"Folks, have fun!
Some men have everything
And some have none
But that's just fine
In the U.S.A
You can work your way
To the head of the line!"
Big Bill!
Gave 'em a thrill
Big Bill!
Sold 'em a bill
Big Bill!
—Who'd want to kill
A man of good will like
Big Bill!
[Doesn't the President look marvelous? So round and prosperous!]
[Do you know what his favorite dish is? It was in the paper. Beef!]
[I'm told that in his spare time, he enjoys collecting coins!]
Czolgosz, angry man
Said, "I will do what
A poor man can
Yes, and there's nowhere
More fitting than
In the Temple of Music
By the Tower of Light
Between the Fountain of Abundance
And the Court of Lilies
At the great Pan-American Exposition
In Buffalo
In Buffalo
Wrapped him a handkerchief
'Round his gun
Said, "Nothin' wrong about
What I done
Some men have everything
And some have none
That's by design
The idea wasn't mine alone
But mine
And that's the sign
In the U.S.A
You can have your say
You can set your goals
And seize the day
You've been given the freedom
To work your way
To the head of the line—
To the head of the line!"
Other Appearances[]
- The original version of the song was featured in the play's soundtrack.
- The Broadway version was featured on the official soundtrack.
- The song would later reappeared on the 2021 Revival's play and soundtrack.
Gallery[]
Images[]
Videos[]
