Minstrel Banjo

For enthusiasts of early banjo

As I have said before, I'm always most interested in verses, or often parodies of songs which refer to contemporary issues/events.  In "Zip Coon on the Go-Ahead Principle" there are a couple of verses in particular which I wonder if someone can shed light on.

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As I am writing this, on CSPAN3, an author of a book on integration began talking about the minstrel song, "Jim Crow"!!!!

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Ok back to the verses....... 

After a verse about Calhoun, Jackson, and the nullification issue is a verse that goes.

He try to run ole Hickory down, (3)

But he strike a snag and run aground

dis snag by gum war a wapper, (3)

and sent him into dock to get new copper

"new copper"? ....Any insights on this?  Funding, perhaps?

and then, the last verse goes.

Oh if I was president ob dese Nited States, (3)

I'd lick lasses candy and swing upon de gates,

An does I dina like why I strike em off de docket, (3)

De way I us'd em up was a sin to Davy Crocket.

What is the significance of licking molasses candy and swinging upon a gate?

And most of all, what are the last two lines saying?  I know that "sin to Davy Crockett" was a phrase used to denote a travesty, etc., but what does "An does I dina like why I strike em off de docket" and "de way I us'd em up" refer to?  and what was being "us'd up"?

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Copper to plate the hull, or in this case, replate the hull.

Candy and gates sounds like goofing off and generally having a good time at ease. 

Not sure about the rest of your questions. 

Copper plates were used to protect the hull from hitch hiking water critters such as barnacles and certain wood-boring sea vermin.

  Paul

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