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The song "Ma! Ma! Where's my pa?" was written in reference to a slogan that emerged during Grover Cleveland's 1884 presidential campaign against James G. Blaine. Cleveland's renown opposition of corruption and reputation as the moral democratic candidate were targeted by Blaine after allegations of the latter's corrupt behavior had been rehashed. Cleveland's supporters were referencing claims that his opponent had once unethically influenced legislation in favor of the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad and the Northern Pacific Railway in order to profit from sales bonds he owned in those companies. It was not until this campaign that Blaine's more suspicious correspondence had been discovered. At the bottom, the words "Burn this letter" were written. Thus was born the chant supporters of the democratic party and mugwumps would use; "Blaine, Blaine, James G. Blaine, the continental liar from the state of Maine, 'Burn this letter!"

The Republican party retaliated with their own slogan, having discovered a scandal Grover Cleveland had been a part of. A Buffalo newspaper had published a story about his illegitimate child with a widow in Buffalo, New York. Since his birth in 1874, the child's paternity was never confirmed due to the mother's involvement with several men. The attach phrase "Ma! Ma! Where's My Pa? " The Republican Party

Little Tom Tid was a folicsome ki, A cute little cuzz, I declare, With eyes full of fun, And a nose that begun Way up in the roots of his hair. Jolly and fat Was this folicsom brat, As he playd thro' the live long day, But one eve, to his cost, His papa got lost, And he and his ma sang a lay, Oh, Ma! Ma! where is my pa? Up in the White House, darling, Making the laws, working the cause, Up in the White House, dear, Ma! Ma! where is Papa? Up in the White House, darling Making the laws, working the cause, Up in the White House, dear. (Words and Music by H.R. Monroe - thought to be a pseudonym for a popular songwriter at the time, Monroe H. Rosenfeld)

Cleveland assumed responsibility at the time and provided child support.

After the election was won "Gone to the White House Ha! Ha! Ha!"