Burma Shave–Wisdom on Route 66

Shave and a Haircut

The one thing I remember about driving Route 66 the first time–a long time ago–was the delight of finding Burma Shave signs in an otherwise empty landscape. Burma Shave, for those who don’t remember, was a shaving cream. One way they advertised was by posting along the roadsides a series of five signs, each with part of a clever rhyming poem that had to do with driving or with shaving. The last sign always said “Burma Shave.”

We’ve been thrilled to find a few of them along the road. They aren’t the originals. The last originals, according to the wisdom of Google, are in the Smithsonian. But these new ones have been posted by Route 66 enthusiasts to renew the feeling of the road. We came across several series of signs today on the road into Seligman, AZ. Here are some we’ve found:

Guys whose eyes/ Are in their backs/ Get halos crossing/ Railroad tracks/ Burma Shave

If hugging on highways/ Is your sport/ Trade in your car/ For a davenport/ Burma Shave

Don’t pass cars/ On curves or hills/ If cops don’t get you/ Morticians will/ Burma Shave

Don’t stick your elbow/ Out too far/ It might go home/ In another car/ Burma Shave

The wolf is shaved/ So neat and trim/ Red Riding Hood/ Is chasing him/ Burma Shave

He tried to cross/ As fast train neared/ Death didn’t draft him/ He volunteered/ Burma Shave

The one who drives when/ He’s been drinking/ Depends on you/ To do his thinking/ Burma Shave

T’would be more fun/ To go by air/ If we could put/ These signs up there/ Burma Shave

And our personal favorite (though I’m not sure it’s one of the originals):

Going east/ Or going west/ Route 66/ Does it best/ Burma Shave

Liz

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