The Chicken War
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1964.147.A1
Original Tape ID
Summary
A topical song satirising a recent trade dispute between the EEC and the USA over poultry imports. The singer mocks the US position by suggesting that they keep their chickens - the Europeans will eat macaroni instead. And in any case, the Europeans can raise their own chickens - he wishes the Americans well in producing their own French wine.
Bob Bertram composed this song just after the news item broke, over a year before.
Item Notes
5 verses of 4 lines. This song refers to the 1963 'Poultry War' or 'Chicken War' in which the European Economic Community (EEC) imposed heavy import tariffs on American poultry as part of its Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and also as a response to similar tariffs on European products entering the USA. 'The Six' refers to the original six founding members of the EEC: Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and The Netherlands. The reference to 'un-American activity' in the third verse may be a jibe against the House Committee on Un-American Activities (1938-1975), a US committee charged with investigating communist activity inside the United States.
Bob Bertram composed this song just after the news item broke.
Language
English
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Good