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
Workers of the world awaken! Break your chains, demand your rights.All the wealth you make is taken By exploiting parasitesShall you kneel in deep submission From your cradles to your graves?Is the height of your ambition To be good and willing slaves?CHORUS:Arise, ye prisoners of starvation!Fight for your own emancipation;Arise, ye slaves of every nation,,… Read More Workers of the World Awaken by Joe Hill
(Tune: “Take It to the Lord in Prayer”) “Are you poor, forlorn and hungry? Are there lots of things you lack?Is your life made up of misery? Then clump the bosses off your back.Are your clothes all patched and tattered? Are -you living in a shack?would you have your troubles scattered? Then dump the bosses… Read More Dump the Bosses Off Your Back by John Brill
(Tune: “John Brown’s Body”)When the Union’s inspiration through the workers’ blood shallThere can Be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun.Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of oneBut the Union makes us strong. CHORUS: Solidarity forever Solidarity forever!Solidarity forever!For the Union makes us strongIs there aught we hold in common… Read More SOUDARITY FOREVER BY RALPH CHAPLIN
THE PREACHER AND THE SLAVE BY JOE HILL (Tune: “Sweet Bye and Bye”)Long-haired preachers come out every night,Try to tell you what’s wrong and what’s right;But when asked how ’bout something to eatThey will answer with voices so sweet:CHORUS::You will eat, bye and bye,In that glorious land above the sky;Work and pray, live on hay,You’ll… Read More THE PREACHER AND THE SLAVE BY JOE HILL
(Tune: “There ls Power In the Blood”)Would you have freedom from wage slavery, Then join in the grand Industrial band:Would you from mis’ry and hunger be free, Then come, do your share, like a man.CHORUS:There is pow’r, there is pow’rIn a band of workingmen,When they stand hand in hand,That’s a pow’r that’s a pow’rThat must… Read More THERE IS POWER IN A UNION BY JOE HILL
There are women of many descriptions In this queer world, as everyone knows,Some are living in beautiful mansions, And are wearing the finest of clothes.There are blue-blooded queens and princesses, Who have charms made of diamond and pearl;But the only and thoroughbred lady Is the Rebel GirlChorusThat’s the Rebel Girl, that’s the Rebel Girl!To the… Read More THE REBEL GIRL Words and Music by Joe Hill 1916
Murdered by the Authorities of the State of UtahNovember 19. 1915High head and back unbending—fearless and true,Into the night unending; why was it you?Heart that was quick with song, torn with their lead’Life that was young and strong, shattered and dead.Singer of manly songs, laughter and tears;Singer of Labor’s wrongs, joys, hopes and fears:Though you… Read More JOE HILL by Ralph Chaplin
Before the Union Came to TownBefore the Union Came to Town,You toiled in the heat and the cold,Trying to provide for your family.Keeping your head down, only looking at the ground.You ‘retired’ from the line in one of three ways,The Grim Reaper called out your name,Your age, the stress and back breaking work broke your… Read More Before the Union Came to Town
Alfred P Sloan – A Friend to No OneI recently wrote a poem about the 1936 Sit-Down strike in Flint, Michigan and I began to wonder about the man who was president of General Motors at the time. Alfred Pritchard Sloan Jr. (May 23, 1875 – February 17, 1966) became president of General Motors in… Read More Alfred P Sloan – A Friend to No One
Ramblings of an Old Coot 