We Had Rose Gardens Until Reagan

The New Deal in our backyard. The Berkeley Rose Garden was one of the first Civil Works Progress Projects built under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). It was conceived in 1933 and completed and dedicated for public use in September 1937. East Bay rose societies and community members donated hundreds of hours of volunteer time. Since Reagan we have had Neoliberalism and crumbling infrastructure.

“The New Deal in our backyard” by Alexis Harte. A song about a beautiful place, by the people, for the people.

All the girls in my rose garden
Park far away and wander down in heels
Taking pictures with their lovers,
They’ve been coming here for 90 years
With gin and juice for 90 years

Take you back to ‘33, families sleeping on the streets
Same mean and dirty streets, same as today.
But they gave ‘em jobs with decent pay,
8 million ways to pull their weight
Not a giveaway, they built you a rose garden

All the kids down in the playground, they’re so perfectly arranged
They’re all thinking about that big slide, and will they be afraid
…..that they might not make the grade

Take you back to ‘33, families sleeping on the streets
Same mean and dirty streets, same as today,
Kids will need to place play, air to breath and a hideaway
They can hideaway, its their rose garden

All the Girls in my Rose Garden,
They know Fame’s so Easy on the Eye
Look at Bewitched, Bettie Boop, she’s dancing in a Moonlight, Stiletto, State of Grace

T’was a King’s Ransom on Opening Night, but Mr. Lincoln was off on a Mayflower, Roman Holiday,
with The American Beauty….Marilyn Monroe.

So Remember Me, Sentimental Trumpeter when that Knockout punch brings me Peace

I see old friends in my rose garden ,
They all come back to say their goodbyes
To their parents, friends, and lovers,
To the petals from the vine.

Take you back to 33, families sleeping on the streets
Same mean and dirty streets, cold and angry streets,
Same as today, same as today….

credits

Personnel
Alexis Harte: vocals, acoustic guitar
Gawain Matthews: acoustic and electric guitars, piano dobro, bass,
accordion, percussion
Megan Slankard: vocals
Andrea Vancura: trumpet, trombone

Words and Music: Alexis Harte
Mixed by: Marc Daniel Nelson
Co-Produced by: Alexis Harte/Gawain Matthews