“Dry January,” the idea of abstaining from alcohol during the first month of the year, isn’t new. In fact, it’s said to go back to 1942. Whether you’re always dry, dry for January, or “damp” through the year, here’s a song that offers a little perspective.

“Whoa January (You’re Going to be Worse than July)” was published in 1919. Its cover image, shown below, depicts a man on a snowy winter night, looking into the window of a closed saloon. A sign reads “To Let: January 16, 1920.”

The song was perfectly timed by composer Harry von Tilzer and lyricist Andrew B. Sterling. I’ll explain.

(click to open and download)

Why July?

“July” refers to the temporary Wartime Prohibition Act banning beverages with alcohol content above 1.28%. Passed in November 1918, it went into effect on July 1st, 1919, a day that became known as the “Thirsty First.” But that was mild compared to what was right around the corner. The Eighteenth Amendment prohibiting alcohol had already been ratified to go into effect on January 17th, 1920, bolstered by the Volstead Act.

Lyrics include:

The first of July,
they said we’d go dry

And ev’ryone thought
there’d be nothing to buy,

But you got yours
and I got mine

And ev’ryone was happy
we were feeling fine.

(Now it’s called “Site-Specific Dance,” and yes – there are grants for that.)

The Klamath News, Klamath Falls, Oregon. April 22, 1927

Oakland Tribune (CA), Nov. 30, 1934

Repeal

Although prohibition yielded some benefits to health and social behavior, it also created new problems. First, it didn’t end the thirst for alcohol. People inadvertently consumed poisonous substances labeled as gin or whisky containing denatured alcohol, wood alcohol (methanol), and other poisons. Snopes has a good article on the subject dispelling the myth that the government purposely adulterated alcohol to poison people.

Second, Prohibition created new opportunities for criminal enterprises in bootleg liquor – from Miami rum-runners (family legend has it my grandfather was one!) to violent gangs and mob bosses.

President F.D.R. repealed the 18th Amendment in December, 1933. So, on February 1st, we January Drys could “party like it’s 1934!” Just be sure to stay away from bootleg hooch.

Listen to “How Are You Going to Wet Your Whistle,” 1919, from the Library of Congress.