Tune, “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys Go Marching. If you all will shut your trap, I will tell you ’bout a chap, That was broke and up against it, too, for fair; He was not the kind that shirk, He was looking hard for work. But he heard the same old story everywhere. Chorus:Tramp, tramp,… Read More THE TRAMP by Joe Hill
THE OLD TOILER’S MESSAGEAir: “Silver Threads Among the Gold.” “Darling, I am growing old” — So the toiler told his wife — Father Time the days have tolled Of my usefulness in life. Just tonight my master told me He can’t use me anymore. Oh, my darling, do not scold me. When the wolf comes… Read More THE OLD TOILER’S MESSAGE
I had a job once threshing wheat. Worked sixteen hours with hands and feet, And when the moon was shining bright, They kept me working all the night. One-moonlight night — I hate to tell, I accidently slipped and fell: My pitchfork went right in between Some cog wheels in the thresh machine. Chorus —… Read More TA-RA-RA-BOOM-DEE-AY by Joe Hill
The little worker ants, That puff their chests out, And speak of social injustice, In unearned honor and importance.Pronounce that they represent the folks back home. The foolish that cast their votes in ignorance, Driven to a lie-filled, fearful frenzy, That became hatred and malice.While all the while, their true intentions, Hidden in lies and… Read More The Worker Ants 006
REVEILLE by Lola RidgeCOME forth, you workers! Let the fires go cold — Let the iron spill out, out of the troughs — Let the iron run wild Like a red bramble on the floors — Leave the mill and the foundry and the mine And the shrapnel lying on the wharves — Leave the… Read More REVEILLE by Lola Ridge
LAST night I watched a star fall like a great pearl into the sea, Till my ego expanding encompassed sea and star, Containing both as in a trembling cup.
TENDER and tremulous green of leaves Turned up by the wind, Twanging among the vines — Wind in the grass Blowing a clear path For the new-stripped soul to pass . . . The naked soul in the sunlight . . . Like a wisp of smoke in the sunlight On the hill-side shimmering. Dance… Read More DISPOSSESSED by Lola Ridge
THE rose-pink Earth in April wears The flush of youth; A maiden still, she hardly dares To meet Spring’s troth! When June comes, paler grows her brow In passion’s pain. She hides with sunburnt Summer now Among the grain. In August’s mad bacchante mood She bares her breast To Autumn, rolling in the blood Of… Read More EARTH AND THE SEASONS by Théophile Gautier
(Easter 1916) CENSORED lies that mimic truth . . . Censored truth as pale as fear . . . My heart is like a rousing bell — And but the dead to hear . . . My heart is like a mother bird, Circling ever higher, And the nest-tree rimmed about By a forest fire… Read More THE TIDINGS by Lola Ridge
CAN you see me, Sasha? I can see you. . . . A tentacle of the vast dawn is resting on your face that floats as though detached in a sultry and greenish vapor. I cannot reach my hands to you . . . would not if I could, though I know how warmly yours… Read More TO ALEXANDER BERKMAN by Lola Ridge
Ramblings of an Old Coot 