An email sent me back in time this week, thinking about those old Burma Shave signs we used to see on the roads:
TRAINS DON'T WANDER ALL OVER THE MAP 'CAUSE NOBODY SITS IN THE ENGINEER'S LAP ---Burma Shave
SHE KISSED THE HAIRBRUSH BY MISTAKE SHE THOUGHT IT WAS HER HUSBAND JAKE--- Burma Shave
Remember these? For those who never saw any of the Burma Shave signs, here is a quick lesson in our history of the 1930's and '40's. Before there were interstates, when everyone drove the old 2 lane roads, Burma Shave signs would be posted all over the countryside in farmers' fields. They were small red signs with white letters. Five signs, about 100 feet apart, each containing 1 line of a 4 line couplet...... and the obligatory 5th sign advertising Burma Shave, a popular shaving cream. Here are more of the actual signs:
DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD TO GAIN A MINUTE YOU NEED YOUR HEAD YOUR BRAINS ARE IN IT--- Burma Shave
DROVE TOO LONG DRIVER SNOOZING WHAT HAPPENED NEXT IS NOT AMUSING--- Burma Shave
BROTHER SPEEDER LET'S REHEARSE ALL TOGETHER GOOD MORNING, NURSE--- Burma Shave
CAUTIOUS RIDER TO HER RECKLESS DEAR LET'S HAVE LESS BULL AND MORE STEER--- Burma Shave
SPEED WAS HIGH WEATHER WAS NOT TIRES WERE THIN X MARKS THE SPOT--- Burma Shave
THE MIDNIGHT RIDE OF PAUL FOR BEER LED TO A WARMER HEMISPHERE--- Burma Shave
AROUND THE CURVE LICKETY-SPLIT BEAUTIFUL CAR WASN'T IT?--- Burma Shave
NO MATTER THE PRICE NO MATTER HOW NEW THE BEST SAFETY DEVICE IN THE CAR IS YOU--- Burma Shave
A GUY WHO DRIVES A CAR WIDE OPEN IS NOT THINKIN' HE'S JUST HOPIN'--- Burma Shave
AT INTERSECTIONS LOOK EACH WAY A HARP SOUNDS NICE BUT IT'S HARD TO PLAY--- Burma Shave
BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL EYES ON THE ROAD THAT'S THE SKILLFUL DRIVER'S CODE--- Burma Shave
THE ONE WHO DRIVES WHEN HE'S BEEN DRINKING DEPENDS ON YOU TO DO HIS THINKING--- Burma Shave
CAR IN DITCH DRIVER IN TREE THE MOON WAS FULL AND SO WAS HE--- Burma Shave
And my favorite:
PASSING SCHOOL ZONE TAKE IT SLOW LET OUR LITTLE SHAVERS GROW ---Burma Shave
Do these bring back any old memories? If not, you're merely a child. If they do - then you're old as dirt... LIKE ME!
The signs were the highlight of any trip.I was so happy when I learned to read them myself.
ReplyDeleteA couple of those ring a bell. I sometimes still see the old "Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco" signs painted on old barns up in central WV, toward Helvetia & Elkins area.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I tagged you for a small meme if you want to do it :)
when ever anyone talks about BurmaShave I think about these signs on I-55 in rural republican Illinois (a stretch of highway I drive whenever I want to get to civilization, aka, Chicago). They're for a website promoting gun ownership, etc, and the one that always cracks me up is "Cabin or Castle / Or Geodesic Dome / Homeland Security / Begins at Home" and then the website. They crack me up.
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't remember these, so I must be a spring chicken!!
ReplyDeleteI think that you would REALLY like my latest post. It's really funny, and I think perhaps that you would appreciate the sense of humor.
BTW, you know me as Bhakti...my alter ego...**wink wink**
I like that first ad you have pictured, Judy. However, hold the Burma Shave and give me the native woman.
ReplyDeleteBy the time I was a kid there weren't many Burma Shave signs up but I do remember seeing a few on trips out west.
I never saw any of the signs alone the road but heard about them from a song by Tom Waits.
ReplyDeleteI recall seeing a few of these on Route 66 as it went through Oklahoma City.
ReplyDeleteI never saw a Barma Shave sign, Judy, maybe because I am from Chile! so now you know it. Funny signs!
ReplyDeleteWe use Burma Shave type of sign in politics. It is fun coming up with the little jingles and such.
ReplyDeleteHere via Michele.
I vaguely remember them...nah. I'm thinkin' about when I saw 'em at Hoss's place.
ReplyDelete(SIGH) Yes, I'm old enough to have actually seen those signs. And I actually remember some! One you did not list (I swear this is a real one!) is, "The Big Blue Tube -- Is Like -- Louise -- You Get -- A Thrill -- From Every -- Squeeze -- Burma Shave"
ReplyDeleteJohn
Those are really neat. I like how they not only advertised their product, but gave safety tips for drivers.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember Burma Shave signs but this is suspciously like heading down I-95 to South of The Border!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Judy ~~ Interesting post, as is the list of older women.
ReplyDeleteWhere did the years go?
Thanks for your visit and words
of encouragement.
Have a nice day.
I did a Burma-Shave story on My Other Blog. Tune in... http://douglasaz.blogspot.com/2004_09_09_douglasaz_archive.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. I always enjoy Burma Shave stuff. That second one you listed was about 8 miles outside my home town.
Big mistake
ReplyDeleteMany make.
Rely on horn
Instead of brake.
Interestingly, Jude, I did a Burma Shave piece just a few days ago.
Don't stick your elbow
Out too far,
It might go home
In another car.
(P.S. I KNEW you were one of my complimenters, because I saw your name on Ronni's site. Sorry I couldn't print everything you wrote, but ego has its limits...)
The Burma Shave signs were the primer reading books for many of us. I was so proud when I discovered I could read them for myself. Thanks for the memories
ReplyDeleteHere I finally am via Michele! :) (Took too long to write my darn comment & missed you the first time.)
ReplyDeleteI recently saw a book of these old Burma Shave signs. Such an interesting phenom!
these quips were really really cool
ReplyDeleteif i don't come back to your site, i'm a fool.
~michele sent me
We would crane our litle necks - four kids in the back seat of a Packard, 1955, Mom, Dad and an aunt in the front - going form Chicago to Montana. Here's one:
ReplyDeleteIF DAISIES ARE
YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER
KEEP PUSHING UP
THOSE MILES PER HOUR
BURMA SHAVE
I don't recall any of the Burma Shave signs... If I did, I would have pulled along side of the road and asked for a clean cut shave from Burma. Anyways, good to see ya again, just like as before, Michele sent me to your great blog!
ReplyDeleteit's a shame they're no longer around. i would have loved to come across them! :)
ReplyDelete