Words: J. W. Turner
Music: do
Publisher: Oliver Ditson & Co.
Year: 1858
Source: 100 Comic Songs (book)
Location found at: Sibley Library, Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, NY
This May selection has been revised with a better accompianment arrangement. I arranged the chords and bass line as the original had only the leody line.
This Song was found in a wonderful book titled 100 Comic Songs, published in 1858 by Oliver Ditson, Boston. Like many of the songs in this book, it
was written by J.W. Turner.
The significance of this song is that the 140th NY Volunteers had its very own "Razor Strop Man" in the ranks, Pvt. Henry B. Smith.
Smith was of English birth, and by the time the 140th was raised in 1862, was quite well known around Rochester. His trade was selling razor strops, used to sharpen straight razors. His style was to entertain, and his eloquence was legendary, laced with opinions and humor.
One topic he was outspoken on was the Union cause, and in his opinion, "no man has a real voice in the questions of war until he enlists; then he can speak his mind freely"
And so at age 44, 1 year from the upper age limit for recruits, he signed up, even auctioning off his famous white hat to raise funds for ward bounties.
"Razor Strop Smith" assisted the surgeons staff, and further contributed on the long marches by cheering the men who were worn out by the march. An officer reported "His genial humor and witty sayings, with the happy way of
delivering them, were the best tonic which he carried about him."
At Gettysburg, on Little Round Top, "Razor Strop" Smith was assigned as a stretcher bearer. Staying close to the line, he was wounded below the knee.
After recovery of his wound he was discharged from the service, disappointed that he was not accepted by the Invalid Corps, complaining of being "laid on the shelf- sandwiched between Freemont and McClellan."
Smith returned to Rochester and the razor strop trade. When the 140th was assigned the Zouave uniform the following winter, Razor Strop Smith" showed off one of the first ones in Rochester, it being a gift from the regiment.
The Razor Strop Man
J.W. Turner
In passing thro' State Street I saw a great crowd
I heard a man shouting away very loud
I thought that some one had been guilty of theft
`Till I heard him sing out "I've a few more left"
A few more left, A few more left,
I heard him sing out, "I've a few more left"
Thinks I to myself "what does few more left mean?"
The man's either crazy or terrible green
So I hasten'd with eyes glaring wide as I ran
and beheld in great wonder the "Razor Strop Man."
Razor Strop Man, Razor Strop Man,
I beheld in great wonder the Razor Strop Man
He was spinning poetical rhyme by the yard
Had Shakspeare been living `twould astonish the bard
And up steps a green horn says he "Well I swan"
If that an't the great living "Razor Strop Man"...
"Come walk up here gentlemen, now is your time
to get a good "strop" I will warrant them prime
`twill sharpen your razor as natr'al as life
E'en should they be dull as an old oyster knife....
In a short time however he came to a stop
I says "Mister how much do you ask for a strop"
Says he "twenty five cents" and soon I began
To trade with the wonderful Razor Strop Man...
I handled my pockets and pulled out the cash
And ended our bargain as quick as a flash
Then left him, and soon `round the corner I cleft
To the tune of the walk up- "I've a few more left"...
My subject if ever ye chance for to read
If you like it, my pleasure o naught can exceed
And should I ne'er be of my genius bereft
Like the razor strop man, I've a few more left...
There is no way of knowing if the song refers to our own "Razor Strop Man" or if these salesmen in general had the same approach, but certainly Mr. Smith can be remembered by this song, and should be. He was a remarkable character, and a real asset to the regiment and the community. Here's a health to ye, Henry, you did us proud.
Oh yes, State Street still runs through the "Four Corners" of downtown Rochester. And as the 140th NY volunteers left Rochester in 1862 and passed the offices of the Rochester Daily Union and Advertiser, Henry Smith called for three cheers for the paper, with an enthusiastic response from the boys. He then answered with "A few more left of the same sort."
Notes borrowed from Brian A. Bennett's Sons of Old Monroe, the 140th New York Infantry, Morningside.
Photo courtesy of Ron Irwin