The original Copyright Act of 1790 allowed for a 14 year copyright, with option to renew (once, and only if the author was still alive). Let that sink in for a minute.
While Hemingway and Milne may get the headlines, the truth is that 99.98% of 94 year old texts are not in circulation at all.
Recorded using my ukulele, because everything sounds happy on four strings. If Cat or anyone else wants to write a snappy mandolin tune to these lyrics, feel free.
Hooray, hooray,
it's public domain day
as January rolls around each year.
Celebrate with me
All the books that are now free
while the lawyers sit and cry into their beer.
Jan one is the day
for Ernest Hemingway,
When the Sun also Rises for us all.
As for my good friend Poo,
I don't know what he'll do.
But likely weird and fueled by alcohol
The constitution's clear.
It's written right down here.
copyright's supposed to be limited in time
But the politician's craft
is fueled by greed and graft
And over 90 years should be a crime.
Restriction has a cost
But for now The Mouse has lost
Thousands of older works will now be seen.
And this very song we sing,
if singing's still a thing.
will be public in twenty-one eighteen.
So hooray, hooray,
it's public domain day
as January rolls around each year.
Celebrate with me
All the books that are now free
while the lawyers sit and cry into their beer.
Let the lawyers wail and cry into their beer.
@jaegerin Mar 2022
Love these clever lyrics and the way you sing them.
@janeg Feb 2022
The Mouse has lost- what joyous news. Yes, a uke was the perfect instrument for this delightful song.
@spazsquatch Feb 2022
I like this, but I'm the proverbial barrelled fish.
@ajna1960 Feb 2022
First song I ever heard about the public domain laws !
My fav line is "Let the lawyers wail and cry into their beer." lol very cute and very true !
I personally like it that I can leave something to my children and grandchildren :)