Sound Beat

Since Henry Ford Apologized to Me


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This song, Since Henry Ford Apologized to Me, is a response to events surrounding Ford’s newspaper, the Dearborn Independent. One of the largest publications in the US in the 20’s, it printed many anti-semitic articles, “The International Jew” among them. That particular gem proffered that “International financiers are behind all war. They are what is called the international Jew: German Jews, French Jews, English Jews, American Jews.” Lawsuits stemming from such articles eventually lead to the paper’s demise. Ford would later issue a statement apologizing for claims.

Enter Billy Jones and Ernest Hare, the Happiness Boys, with a tongue-quite-in-cheek forgiveness. Sheet music for the song was, allegedly, the first to mention Hitler by name, though some hear it as “Edsel”. For our money, it kind of sounds like the names are blended together, but you decide.

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Sound BeatBy Syracuse University Library

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