We've taken all you've given But it's gettin' hard to make a livin' Mr. President have pity on the working man
We're not asking you to love us You may place yourself high above us Mr. President have pity on the working man
I know it may sound funny But people ev'ry where are runnin' out of money We just can't make it by ourself
It is cold and the wind is blowing We need something to keep us gong Mr. President have pity on the working man
Maybe you've cheated Maybe you've lied Maybe you have finally lost your mind Maybe you're only thinking 'bout yourself
Too late to run. Too late to cry now The time has come for us to say good-bye now Mr. President have pity on the working man Mr. President have pity on the working man
Let's drink to the hard working people Let's drink of the lowly of birth Raise your glass to the good and the evil Let's drink to the salt of the earth
Say a prayer for the common foot soldier Spare a thought for his back breaking work Spare a part for his wife and his children Who burn the fires and who still till the earth
And when I look into the this faceless crowd A swirling mass of gray blue Black and white They don't look real to me In fact, we all look so strange
Raise your glass to the hard working people Let's drink to the uncounted heads Let's think of the wavering millions Who need leading but get gamblers instead
Spare a thought for the stay-at-home voter His empty eyes gaze at strange beauty shows And a parade of the gray suited grafters A choice of cancer or polio
And when I look into this faceless crowd A swirling mass of grays and Black and white They don't look real to you Or do we look too strange
Let's drink to the hard working people Let's think of the lowly of birth Spare a thought for the rag taggy people Let's drink to the salt of the earth
Let's drink to the hard working people Let's drink to the salt of the earth Let's drink to the three thousand million Let's think of the humble of birth
Can't find the War Song pick spot, so I'll put it here: County Joe's "1, 2, 3, 4 ... what are we fighting for?" We all sang it on the plane going over in 1968 :·)
Another Jello Biafra song, this one has more to do with working conditions and labor.
"At My Job"
If your machine might slip a gear Push this button to help it clear Your time card says your name's Joe But we'll call you 6-3-0
[Chorus] I'm working at my job I'm so happy More boring by the day But they pay me All that time spent going to school Just to end up following-rules [Chorus] Now it's time to take a break Don't stray too far or you'll be late Thank you for your service and a long career Glad you gave us your best years [Chorus]
(but if i were to pick a Jello Biafra and Mojo Nixon song for labor: Hamlet Chicken Plant Disaster)
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, alive as you and me. Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead" "I never died" said he, "I never died" said he.
"The Copper Bosses killed you Joe, they shot you Joe" they filled you full of lead. "Takes more than guns to kill a man" Says Joe "I didn't die" Says Joe "I didn't die"
"In Salt Lake City, Joe," says I, Him standing by my bed, "They framed you on a murder charge," Says Joe, "But I ain't dead," Says Joe, "But I ain't dead."
And standing there as big as life and smiling with his eyes. Says Joe "What they can never kill went on to organize, went on to organize"
From San Diego up to Maine, in every mine and mill, Where working men defend their rights, it's there you'll find Joe Hill, it's there you'll find Joe Hill!
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, alive as you and me. Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead" "I never died" said he, "I never died" said he.
When I awoke one mornin', there was a feelin' in the air Everything was quiet, things were different everywhere The Wobblies were back again with Joe Hill at the mic When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
There was no one pumpin' gasoline, no one drivin' from town to town No one at the registers, all the highways were shut down The cars were stuck in the garage, CEOs on bikes When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
There was no one flippin' burgers, all the grills were cold Onion rings were in their bags, fries were growin' mold There were no baristas at Starbucks askin', "How many shots would you like?" When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
The fruit was fallin' off the trees, no one to load the truck Corn was rotting on the stalks, no farmhands to shuck The Workfare workers were hangin' at home, spendin' the day with their tykes When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
Yuppie parents were housebound, their nannies left the job Wal-Mart workers said, "Enough of our labor has been robbed" The Foot Locker was locked up, the boss had to take a hike When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
When I awoke one mornin', there was a feelin' in the air Everything was quiet, things were different everywhere The Wobblies were back again with T-Bone at the mic When all the minimum wage workers went on strike,When all the minimum wage workers went on strike When I awoke one mornin', there was a feelin' in the air Everything was quiet, things were different everywhere The Wobblies were back again with Joe Hill at the mic When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
There was no one pumpin' gasoline, no one drivin' from town to town No one at the registers, all the highways were shut down The cars were stuck in the garage, CEOs on bikes When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
There was no one flippin' burgers, all the grills were cold Onion rings were in their bags, fries were growin' mold There were no baristas at Starbucks askin', "How many shots would you like?" When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
The fruit was fallin' off the trees, no one to load the truck Corn was rotting on the stalks, no farmhands to shuck The Workfare workers were hangin' at home, spendin' the day with their tykes When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
Yuppie parents were housebound, their nannies left the job Wal-Mart workers said, "Enough of our labor has been robbed" The Foot Locker was locked up, the boss had to take a hike When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
When I awoke one mornin', there was a feelin' in the air Everything was quiet, things were different everywhere The Wobblies were back again with T-Bone at the mic When all the minimum wage workers went on strike, When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
The Taft-Hartley Song (by Charlie King) as performed by Peggy Seeger on From Where I Stand
I don't have the entire lyric, but the chorus:
Mr. Taft can dig it, Mr. Hartley can haul it, Carter can supervise the crew And if they find it too hard, they got the National Guard To fix their bayonets and shovel like fools It's gonna take a lot longer than eighty short days For this miner to cool on down Mr. Taft can dig it, Mr. Hartley can haul it Cause I'm gonna leave it in the ground
WE HAVE FED YOU ALL A THOUSAND YEARS (WRITTEN BY `AN UNKNOWN PROLETARIAN,' MUSIC BY VON LIEBICH) (FIRST LISTED PRINTING, INDUSTRIAL UNION BULLETIN, APRIL 18, 1908)
We have fed you all for a thousand years And you hail us still unfed, Though there's never a dollar of all your wealth But marks the workers' dead. We have yielded our best to give you rest And you lie on crimson wool. Then if blood be the price of all your wealth, Good God! We have paid it in full!
There is never a mine blown skyward now But we're buried alive for you. There's never a wreck drifts shoreward now But we are its ghastly crew. Go reckon our dead by the forges red And the factories where we spin. If blood be the price of your cursed wealth, Good God! We have paid it in!
We have fed you all a thousand years- For that was our doom, you know, From the days when you chained us in your fields To the strike a week ago. You have taken our lives, and our babies and wives, And we're told it's your legal share, But if blood be the price of your lawful wealth, Good God! We bought it fair!
Note: this is a descendant of a poem by Rudyard Kipling, We Have Fed Our Sea For a Thousand Years
Dropkick Murphys, "Take 'Em Down"
This is a new one that has just been released early by the band to show solidarity with the protesters in Wisconsin. The album it's on doesn't come out until March 1.
These are fromsinger songwriter Joe Jencks. He is a great musician with heart and is a "young Peter Seeger".
Check out the lyrics below and the website to hear them sung. As I walk around the capital routunda here in Madison, Joe's songs play in my head. He has been here many times and has sung at my church!
A great story well told! Traditional melody borrowed from the Buffalo Skinners.
Come all you fast food workers, wherever you may dwell If you'll consent to listen, a story I will tell Of six young workers like yourselves, who were compelled to go And labor for McDonald's in Macedon-i-o.
'Twas in northeast Ohio this burger franchise stood As in many such establishments, conditions were not good The wages they were meager, but by far the greatest woe Was to work for Jerry Guffey in Macedon-i-o.
Now Jerry was the manager, a spiteful man was he If ever you displeased him, his anger you would see With foul names and shoves and shouting, his curses they would flow He was the meanest fast food boss in Macedon-i-o
Margaret she was sixty-six, she worked from need, not choice One day she left a bag of trash out of its proper place When Jerry came upon it, his rage did overflow The staff looked on as Margaret wept, in Macedon-i-o
'Twas on an Easter Sunday student workers made a vow "Abuse of youth and elderly no longer we'll allow" These brave young people left their jobs, their paychecks did forego To walk upon a picket line in Macedon-i-o
Bryan Drapp walked out, and Jamal Nickens he did too Josh Jones and Matt Casserlie, they joined the picket crew Steve Stem and Heidi Shaffer solidarity did show They led the fight for dignity in Macedon-i-o
From CNN to Leno, Howard Stern to NPR The story of the fast food strike was carried near and far McDonalds' high executives, to save the status quo Sent in a crack consultant, to Macedon-i-o
Then Teamsters' Local Four Sixteen came to the strikers' aid "These kids against your corporate might's an unfair fight," they said "We're here to balance out the scales." The company said, "No! We will not talk with unions in Macedon-i-o"
At Route Eight and the Interstate the strikers held their ground They thrust aloft their picket signs as the April rains beat down 'Til a Teamster bakery driver, he dealt the final blow He would not cross a picket line in Macedon-i-o
The bosses watched in horror as the truck it rolled away They knew it carried all the buns they needed for that day While twenty cheering picketers, still marching to and fro Saw victory within their grasp in Macedon-i-o
A fair wage and paid vacation, better safety at the grill In every point of bargaining the workers had their will And to a training program Jerry Guffey's forced to go To brush up on his people skills, in Macedon-i-o.
You've heard of labor's struggles in Harlan's bloody hills At Homestead, Flint and Ludlow, and in Massachusetts' mills In April nineteen ninety-eight, the history books will show How fast food workers held the line in Macedon-i-o
My friend Bruce Bostic is responsible for this song in a direct way. He brought me down to Mansfield where I interviewed several members of USWA local 169, who were locked out of the mill for almost four years.
Dad used to spend time with his children When they'd come home from school every day Before he would go to work second shift He'd help them with homework and sometimes they'd play Baseball out in the yard If it was raining they'd sit and play cards
But then there was trouble at the steel mill One night there were sirens and light People were screaming and shouting And somebody started a fight Now daddy's home more than before But he doesn't play much anymore
It's Christmas in Mansfield, Ohio The children are snuggled in bed But there are no visions of sugar plumbs dancing It's questions that fill up their heads
The company boarded up windows Put a fence all the way around the mill They told union workers they couldn't come back That all of their jobs had been filled By people from out of the state Then the company locked up the gates
But it's seventeen years at the steel mill To provide for his families needs But the company it seems cares lees about people And more about profits and greed So it's up with the burn barrels and signs Make a stand on the old picket line
The union is still in a lockout And more than three years have gone by The first Christmas was tough, but donations came in And that seemed to keep everyone's spirits high And daddy did odd jobs in town He refused to let his family down
But it's Christmas once more down in Mansfield And there isn't even much snow And nobody's counting on charity It seems that was used up a long time ago But somewhere dad found a small tree And he hung up the lights carefully
Then the women of steel from the steel workers union Brought toys for the girls and the boys The firemen's union from somewhere down state Brought turkeys and hams and they filled up the plate With cheers and good tidings for all It's Christmas in steel union hall
Daddy looked down at his children And he smiled with sorrow and pride Then he sat down on the union hall floor Put his face in his hands and he started to cry He had been strong now for years But he just couldn't hold back the tears
God bless these workers and families For the road that they travel is long And as they stand up for what they believe God grant them courage and help them along Let the spirit of hope still shine bright As the stars down on Mansfield that night
It's Christmas in Mansfield, Ohio And the children laugh and they play Though nobody here can forget about troubles Maybe they'll set them aside for one day And remember the kindness they've found This Christmas in a steel mill town Give thanks for the kindness they've found This Christmas in a steel mill town
I dedicate this recording of 'Rise As One' to my new niece Annika Jencks. "We will build a brand new future for our daughters and our sons…" …and our nieces & nephews! Thanks to Mike Tadsen and John & Judy Gallo for inviting me to meet some of the workers and for sharing the story with me. The workers of OAPSIE Local 419 are heroes in my book.
It is we who serve the lunches, we who sweep the floors We who drive the busses with your children off to school We keep the buildings warm in winter, and cool when it's hot And we will not let you play us for the fool When we ask for better healthcare, or an increase in our wage You tell us that the township can't afford to pay the bill But you found half a million dollars from within those very coffers To try and break the union's back and break our will
And we will never give up, we will never give in And we'll never, ever go away We will build a brand new future for our daughters and our sons We will work 'til all workers rise as one
We believe in education and the future of our town And the children that we serve from day to day Whenever there's a need we always go the extra mile God knows we do it for the love, not for the pay But we have worked as hard as any for every inch of ground That we've gained in the struggle for our rights And we will not stand by idly as you try to tear us down If we have to we will organize a strike
Well we didn't have a penny in our strike fund, sad but true That made us all a little bit afraid But the call went out to every other union in the state And somehow all the workers' bills were paid You see this isn't just the schools within our town When we dare to raise our voice in solidarity we stand With every other worker all the world around
We held a rally at the fairgrounds, to show them our resolve And to drum up some support for our campaign A thousand people hit the street, and that's more than half our town And after that, you know things couldn't be the same Now whoever would've guessed it, when this whole thing began We'd have the strength to hold out for so long But three months have now gone by and the school board just gave in On their demands, now we can sing our victory song
Five hundred men sacked for refusing To ever cross a picket line The voices down the ages warning Never cross a picket line You must never cross a picket line
Two years gone by but still they never Ever cross a picket line With their wives and children they stand together Never cross a picket line You must never cross a picket line
Look away, look away Look away out west to San Francisco Look away, look away Look away down south to Sydney Harbour Where the dockers have organised The world's longest picket line
Technically this is an illegal strike Never cross a picket line But technically workers have no rights Never cross a picket line You must never cross a picket line
Oh, I want to live in a Brand New Britain Never cross a picket line Where workers rights are enshrined and written Never cross a picket line You must never cross a picket line
Look away, look away Look away out west to San Diego Look away, look away Look away out east to far Osaka Where the dockers have organised The world's longest picket line
The Tories are gone but there's no improvement Never cross a picket line Now where is the might of the Labour movement Never cross a picket line You must never cross a picket line
Look away, look away Look away down south to Auckland City Look away, look away Look away out west to old Vancouver Where the dockers have organised The world's longest picket line
Where the dockers have realised You must never cross a picket line
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, alive as you and me. Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead" "I never died" said he, "I never died" said he.
"The Copper Bosses killed you Joe, they shot you Joe" they filled you full of lead. "Takes more than guns to kill a man" Says Joe "I didn't die" Says Joe "I didn't die"
"In Salt Lake City, Joe," says I, Him standing by my bed, "They framed you on a murder charge," Says Joe, "But I ain't dead," Says Joe, "But I ain't dead."
And standing there as big as life and smiling with his eyes. Says Joe "What they can never kill went on to organize, went on to organize"
From San Diego up to Maine, in every mine and mill, Where working men defend their rights, it's there you'll find Joe Hill, it's there you'll find Joe Hill!
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, alive as you and me. Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead" "I never died" said he, "I never died" said he.
Allow me to be another voice to vote for Dropkick Murphys. They have a great collection of songs, but I believe the one most pertainent to be "The Worker's Son" from their Album "Balckout." The song is 1. Irish. 2. Punk and 3. Supportive of the workers. How could it possibly be any cooler? here is a link to youtube with lyrics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTafZRecy2k
"The Worker's Song"
Yeah, this one's for the workers who toil night and day/ By hand and by brain, to earn your pay/ Who for centuries long past for no more than your bread/ Have bled for your countries and counted your dead
In the factories and mills and the shipyards and mines/ We've often been told to keep up with the times/ For our skills are not needed they streamlined the job/ And with slide rule and stopwatch, our pride they have robbed!"
Also, I think that DKM have other great songs for bumpermusic later on if you would like to take a listen. Their rendition of "The Geenfields of France" is simply beautiful, taking such an excelent poem and renderng it even better in musical form. Here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK9TDt3Ouo4
Also, the "Fields of Athenry" is a fantastic song, again about the struggles of the Irish working class in a time of occupation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10agPj0Vzu4
Like us all you want the very best of life A car, a house, a neighborhood that's nice With flowers and trees and lots of little kids around Where public schools aren't breeding grounds for vice
You say you're working harder than you ever have You say you got two jobs and so's your wife Living in the richest country in the world Wouldn't you think you'd have abetter life
If you lived in Norway You'd be fine right now Get sick there You make the doctor wait If you lived in Belgium You could mediate [Flemish/French debate] Hey knock it off! And the French fries are great Hey!
Jesus Christ it stinks here high and low The rich are getting richer I should know While we're going up You're going down And no one gives a shit but Jackson Browne Jackson Browne
Jackson Jackson
There's a famous saying someone famous said As General Motors goes so go we all Johnny Cougar's singing it's their country now He'll be singing for Toyota by the fall
[Patriots]: That's not ture John's a patriot He's not like you He's a......
Jesus Christ it stinks here low and high Some get rich And others just get by Bono's off in Africa - he's never around The country turns its lonely eyes to who? Jackson Browne Jackson Browne Jackson Browne
A piece of the pie That's all we're asking for A piece of the pie
Also check out the "Hail a Union Chorus" with the opening refrain of "Join the Union" begining this labor parody of the best known chorus from Handel's Messiah.
There is power in a factory, power in the land Power in the hands of a worker But it all amounts to nothing if together we don't stand There is power in a Union
Now the lessons of the past were all learned with workers' blood The mistakes of the bosses we must pay for From the cities and the farmlands to trenches full of mud War has always been the bosses' way, sir
The Union forever defending our rights Down with the blackleg, all workers unite With our brothers and our sisters from many far off lands There is power in a Union
Now I long for the morning that they realise Brutality and unjust laws can not defeat us But who'll defend the workers who cannot organise When the bosses send their lackies out to cheat us?
Money speaks for money, the Devil for his own Who comes to speak for the skin and the bone What a comfort to the widow, a light to the child There is power in a Union
The Union forever defending our rights Down with the blackleg, all workers unite With our brothers and our sisters together we will stand There is power in a Union.
Working hard from day to day now, I get a check that barely lasts I'm just another no choice member in Uncle Sam's desperation class Finding it hard to face my wife, new kid born out of shotgun life Twenty years old and I love them both, see no sunshine in our skies
Silently we pray for turbulence to break How much more financial stress can we all take?
Getting closer to our limit We chase the penthouse from the basement Our current rat race, we run to stand still This is our fading American Dream
Bad news coming in, these higher rent rates gouge us thin The sands of time are running down as we slip further behind
Bleeding my family, they're stretched too Eviction notes, what can I do? Twenty years old, feel my life's on hold Yell at a school-taught God, oh why?
Silently we pray for turbulence to break How much more financial stress can we all take?
Getting closer to our limit We chase the penthouse from the basement Our current rat race, we run to stand still This is our fading American Dream
Have we ever been above water? Do we ever see ourselves coming out of it alive?
Getting closer to our limit We chase the penthouse from the basement Our current rat race, we run to stand still This is our fading American Dream
I got no time no to go and cry now Leave for a second job, don't want to go poor I'm just searching for my dignity This is our fading American Dream This is our fading American Dream This is our fading American Dream
Sad days, kissing the cheeks of the families who are walking away Tragic, the pubs are opposing, the system is broken, decay
Because business is down at the depot, defenses are the only things built Neighbors wave goodbye to each other This country is over, they say
Yeah, this is life In a modern town The windows smashed open with the doors kicked out It's not a good day left to be in a fight 'cause living is hard through the struggles of life If nothing gets done it will never be right But don't shut 'em down
Lately, the 21st century's been... crazy It's the sing of the times Buildings decomposing in slumber There's no work for all till they wake
Yeah, this is life In a modern town The windows smashed open with the doors kicked out It's not a good day left to be in a fight 'cause living is hard through the struggles of life If nothing gets done it will never be right But don't shut 'em down Don't shut 'em down
Too many faults, no reasons The rains that fall, dry bleeding Upon the ashes of our homes Our homes Save our homes
Manic The word on the street here is panic There's a riot at hand
People, taking care of the people There's no other way, or we'll break
Yeah, this is life In a modern town The windows smashed open with the doors kicked out It's not a good day left to be in a fight 'cause living is hard through the struggles of life
Yeah, this is life In a modern town The windows smashed open with the doors kicked out It's not a good day left to be in a fight 'cause living is hard through the struggles of life If nothing gets done it will never be right But don't shut 'em down Don't shut 'em down
Sad days, kissing the cheeks of the families (you can't shut 'em down) Sad days, kissing the cheeks of the families (you won't shut 'em down)
We've had so many responses for our "You Pick The Music Week" that we're doing it again! Governor Scott Walker from the state of Wisconsin has thrown gasoline on the labor war fire. We are asking you to submit your favorite labor, union, or working songs for "You Pick The Music Week Two: Labor Music Week!" Get all of your friends to post their songs too! Somebody else post your song? Please post anyway! Already posted but got another song? Keep posting! The more the better! Thank you so much and be sure to listen for your song on the program!
- Jacob
My vote is for the classic Joan Baez song, JOE HILL. It's a great song!!
Hey man. Thank you so very much for playing Black Sabbath (War Pigs) the other day. I am a very LIBERAL METAL HEAD!!! I was so happy when I heard that.
Hey Jacob! You know what i want ;) Working Man by Rush...yes, they are Canadian and yes, they are treated better than we are, and yes, I would love to have their working conditions, but can you please play it?
Comments
Mr. President Have Pity on the Working Man. Randy Newman
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oG7nYk5WdNxRwAfcxXNyoA;_ylc=X1MDUC...
From the great Good Old Boys album 1974
We've taken all you've given
But it's gettin' hard to make a livin'
Mr. President have pity on the working man
We're not asking you to love us
You may place yourself high above us
Mr. President have pity on the working man
I know it may sound funny
But people ev'ry where are runnin' out of money
We just can't make it by ourself
It is cold and the wind is blowing
We need something to keep us gong
Mr. President have pity on the working man
Maybe you've cheated
Maybe you've lied
Maybe you have finally lost your mind
Maybe you're only thinking 'bout yourself
Too late to run. Too late to cry now
The time has come for us to say good-bye now
Mr. President have pity on the working man
Mr. President have pity on the working man
Blue Collar by Bachman Turner Overdrive
Walk your street
And I'll walk mine
And should we meet
Would you spare me some time
'Cause you should see my world
Meet my kind
Before you judge our minds
Blue collar
Sleep your sleep
I'm awake and alive
I keep late hours
You're nine to five
So I would like you know I need the quiet hours
To create in this world of mine
Blue collar
I'd like you to know at four in the morning
Things are coming to mind
All I've seen, all I've done
And those I hope to find
I'd like to remind you at four in the morning
My world is very still
The air is fresh under diamond skies
Makes me glad to be alive
You keep that beat
And I keep time
Your restless face
Is no longer mine
I rest my feet
While the world's in heat
And I wish that you could do the same
Blue collar
Blue collar
"Guess I Planted" - Billy Bragg & Wilco
Great performance of the classic Woodie Guthrie union song.
The simple, forceful chorus will stick in listeners' ears for days:
"Union song, union battled
All added up won us all what we got now
Union song, union battled
All added up won us all what we got now.."
"Good Day For the Blues" by Ruth Brown
A lot of Americans who have lost their jobs can relate to this song I'm sure.
"Salt of the Earth" by Rolling Stones
(M. Jagger/K. Richards)
Let's drink to the hard working people
Let's drink of the lowly of birth
Raise your glass to the good and the evil
Let's drink to the salt of the earth
Say a prayer for the common foot soldier
Spare a thought for his back breaking work
Spare a part for his wife and his children
Who burn the fires and who still till the earth
And when I look into the this faceless crowd
A swirling mass of gray blue
Black and white
They don't look real to me
In fact, we all look so strange
Raise your glass to the hard working people
Let's drink to the uncounted heads
Let's think of the wavering millions
Who need leading but get gamblers instead
Spare a thought for the stay-at-home voter
His empty eyes gaze at strange beauty shows
And a parade of the gray suited grafters
A choice of cancer or polio
And when I look into this faceless crowd
A swirling mass of grays and
Black and white
They don't look real to you
Or do we look too strange
Let's drink to the hard working people
Let's think of the lowly of birth
Spare a thought for the rag taggy people
Let's drink to the salt of the earth
Let's drink to the hard working people
Let's drink to the salt of the earth
Let's drink to the three thousand million
Let's think of the humble of birth
or
"Rise UP" by Jimmy Cliff
"Lift Up Your Head" by Everton Blender
"Small Axe" by Bob Marley
"Money Money Money" by Lucky Dube
Can't find the War Song pick spot, so I'll put it here: County Joe's "1, 2, 3, 4 ... what are we fighting for?" We all sang it on the plane going over in 1968 :·)
Antiwar Song
People are People
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGGlTR71FEk
The Prime Ministers "Da Plow" San Diego band.
DK- At My Job
Dead Kennedy's - At My Job
Another Jello Biafra song, this one has more to do with working conditions and labor.
"At My Job"
If your machine might slip a gear
Push this button to help it clear
Your time card says your name's Joe
But we'll call you 6-3-0
[Chorus]
I'm working at my job
I'm so happy
More boring by the day
But they pay me
All that time spent going to school
Just to end up following-rules
[Chorus]
Now it's time to take a break
Don't stray too far or you'll be late
Thank you for your service and a long career
Glad you gave us your best years
[Chorus]
(but if i were to pick a Jello Biafra and Mojo Nixon song for labor: Hamlet Chicken Plant Disaster)
Kind of a blend of an anti war/labor tune.
Labor surplus? Start a war.
"why do they always send the poor?"
B.Y.O.B.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_ruRSCW7B4
Hands held high by linkin park :)
How about Joe Hill by Joan Baez?
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,
alive as you and me.
Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead"
"I never died" said he,
"I never died" said he.
"The Copper Bosses killed you Joe,
they shot you Joe" they filled you full of lead.
"Takes more than guns to kill a man"
Says Joe "I didn't die"
Says Joe "I didn't die"
"In Salt Lake City, Joe," says I,
Him standing by my bed,
"They framed you on a murder charge,"
Says Joe, "But I ain't dead,"
Says Joe, "But I ain't dead."
And standing there as big as life
and smiling with his eyes.
Says Joe "What they can never kill
went on to organize,
went on to organize"
From San Diego up to Maine,
in every mine and mill,
Where working men defend their rights,
it's there you'll find Joe Hill,
it's there you'll find Joe Hill!
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,
alive as you and me.
Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead"
"I never died" said he,
"I never died" said he.
"None of Us are Free" by Solomon Burke
I suggest the Garment Union Worker's Song - "Look for the Union Label"
Thank you - CJ
You got that right!
Minimum Wage Strike
by David Rovics on Behind the Barracades
When I awoke one mornin', there was a feelin' in the air
Everything was quiet, things were different everywhere
The Wobblies were back again with Joe Hill at the mic
When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
There was no one pumpin' gasoline, no one drivin' from town to town
No one at the registers, all the highways were shut down
The cars were stuck in the garage, CEOs on bikes
When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
There was no one flippin' burgers, all the grills were cold
Onion rings were in their bags, fries were growin' mold
There were no baristas at Starbucks askin', "How many shots would you like?"
When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
The fruit was fallin' off the trees, no one to load the truck
Corn was rotting on the stalks, no farmhands to shuck
The Workfare workers were hangin' at home, spendin' the day with their tykes
When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
Yuppie parents were housebound, their nannies left the job
Wal-Mart workers said, "Enough of our labor has been robbed"
The Foot Locker was locked up, the boss had to take a hike
When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
When I awoke one mornin', there was a feelin' in the air
Everything was quiet, things were different everywhere
The Wobblies were back again with T-Bone at the mic
When all the minimum wage workers went on strike,When all the minimum wage workers went on strike When I awoke one mornin', there was a feelin' in the air
Everything was quiet, things were different everywhere
The Wobblies were back again with Joe Hill at the mic
When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
There was no one pumpin' gasoline, no one drivin' from town to town
No one at the registers, all the highways were shut down
The cars were stuck in the garage, CEOs on bikes
When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
There was no one flippin' burgers, all the grills were cold
Onion rings were in their bags, fries were growin' mold
There were no baristas at Starbucks askin', "How many shots would you like?"
When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
The fruit was fallin' off the trees, no one to load the truck
Corn was rotting on the stalks, no farmhands to shuck
The Workfare workers were hangin' at home, spendin' the day with their tykes
When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
Yuppie parents were housebound, their nannies left the job
Wal-Mart workers said, "Enough of our labor has been robbed"
The Foot Locker was locked up, the boss had to take a hike
When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
When I awoke one mornin', there was a feelin' in the air
Everything was quiet, things were different everywhere
The Wobblies were back again with T-Bone at the mic
When all the minimum wage workers went on strike,
When all the minimum wage workers went on strike
The Taft-Hartley Song (by Charlie King)
as performed by Peggy Seeger on From Where I Stand
I don't have the entire lyric, but the chorus:
Mr. Taft can dig it, Mr. Hartley can haul it,
Carter can supervise the crew
And if they find it too hard, they got the National Guard
To fix their bayonets and shovel like fools
It's gonna take a lot longer than eighty short days
For this miner to cool on down
Mr. Taft can dig it, Mr. Hartley can haul it
Cause I'm gonna leave it in the ground
WE HAVE FED YOU ALL A THOUSAND YEARS
(WRITTEN BY `AN UNKNOWN PROLETARIAN,' MUSIC BY VON LIEBICH)
(FIRST LISTED PRINTING, INDUSTRIAL UNION BULLETIN, APRIL 18, 1908)
We have fed you all for a thousand years
And you hail us still unfed,
Though there's never a dollar of all your wealth
But marks the workers' dead.
We have yielded our best to give you rest
And you lie on crimson wool.
Then if blood be the price of all your wealth,
Good God! We have paid it in full!
There is never a mine blown skyward now
But we're buried alive for you.
There's never a wreck drifts shoreward now
But we are its ghastly crew.
Go reckon our dead by the forges red
And the factories where we spin.
If blood be the price of your cursed wealth,
Good God! We have paid it in!
We have fed you all a thousand years-
For that was our doom, you know,
From the days when you chained us in your fields
To the strike a week ago.
You have taken our lives, and our babies and wives,
And we're told it's your legal share,
But if blood be the price of your lawful wealth,
Good God! We bought it fair!
Note: this is a descendant of a poem by Rudyard Kipling, We Have Fed Our Sea For a Thousand Years
Dropkick Murphys, "Take 'Em Down"
This is a new one that has just been released early by the band to show solidarity with the protesters in Wisconsin. The album it's on doesn't come out until March 1.
"16 Tons"
The Tennessee Ernie Ford classic
These are fromsinger songwriter Joe Jencks. He is a great musician with heart and is a "young Peter Seeger".
Check out the lyrics below and the website to hear them sung. As I walk around the capital routunda here in Madison, Joe's songs play in my head. He has been here many times and has sung at my church!
http://www.joejencks.com/index.php?page=songs&category=Rise_As_One&displ...
The Great Fast Food Strike
from
Rise As One
A great story well told! Traditional melody borrowed from the Buffalo Skinners.
Come all you fast food workers, wherever you may dwell
If you'll consent to listen, a story I will tell
Of six young workers like yourselves, who were compelled to go
And labor for McDonald's in Macedon-i-o.
'Twas in northeast Ohio this burger franchise stood
As in many such establishments, conditions were not good
The wages they were meager, but by far the greatest woe
Was to work for Jerry Guffey in Macedon-i-o.
Now Jerry was the manager, a spiteful man was he
If ever you displeased him, his anger you would see
With foul names and shoves and shouting, his curses they would flow
He was the meanest fast food boss in Macedon-i-o
Margaret she was sixty-six, she worked from need, not choice
One day she left a bag of trash out of its proper place
When Jerry came upon it, his rage did overflow
The staff looked on as Margaret wept, in Macedon-i-o
'Twas on an Easter Sunday student workers made a vow
"Abuse of youth and elderly no longer we'll allow"
These brave young people left their jobs, their paychecks did forego
To walk upon a picket line in Macedon-i-o
Bryan Drapp walked out, and Jamal Nickens he did too
Josh Jones and Matt Casserlie, they joined the picket crew
Steve Stem and Heidi Shaffer solidarity did show
They led the fight for dignity in Macedon-i-o
From CNN to Leno, Howard Stern to NPR
The story of the fast food strike was carried near and far
McDonalds' high executives, to save the status quo
Sent in a crack consultant, to Macedon-i-o
Then Teamsters' Local Four Sixteen came to the strikers' aid
"These kids against your corporate might's an unfair fight," they said
"We're here to balance out the scales." The company said, "No!
We will not talk with unions in Macedon-i-o"
At Route Eight and the Interstate the strikers held their ground
They thrust aloft their picket signs as the April rains beat down
'Til a Teamster bakery driver, he dealt the final blow
He would not cross a picket line in Macedon-i-o
The bosses watched in horror as the truck it rolled away
They knew it carried all the buns they needed for that day
While twenty cheering picketers, still marching to and fro
Saw victory within their grasp in Macedon-i-o
A fair wage and paid vacation, better safety at the grill
In every point of bargaining the workers had their will
And to a training program Jerry Guffey's forced to go
To brush up on his people skills, in Macedon-i-o.
You've heard of labor's struggles in Harlan's bloody hills
At Homestead, Flint and Ludlow, and in Massachusetts' mills
In April nineteen ninety-eight, the history books will show
How fast food workers held the line in Macedon-i-o
© 1998 Deborah Van Kleef
Christmas In Mansfield
from
Rise As One
My friend Bruce Bostic is responsible for this song in a direct way. He brought me down to Mansfield where I interviewed several members of USWA local 169, who were locked out of the mill for almost four years.
Dad used to spend time with his children
When they'd come home from school every day
Before he would go to work second shift
He'd help them with homework and sometimes they'd play
Baseball out in the yard
If it was raining they'd sit and play cards
But then there was trouble at the steel mill
One night there were sirens and light
People were screaming and shouting
And somebody started a fight
Now daddy's home more than before
But he doesn't play much anymore
It's Christmas in Mansfield, Ohio
The children are snuggled in bed
But there are no visions of sugar plumbs dancing
It's questions that fill up their heads
The company boarded up windows
Put a fence all the way around the mill
They told union workers they couldn't come back
That all of their jobs had been filled
By people from out of the state
Then the company locked up the gates
But it's seventeen years at the steel mill
To provide for his families needs
But the company it seems cares lees about people
And more about profits and greed
So it's up with the burn barrels and signs
Make a stand on the old picket line
The union is still in a lockout
And more than three years have gone by
The first Christmas was tough, but donations came in
And that seemed to keep everyone's spirits high
And daddy did odd jobs in town
He refused to let his family down
But it's Christmas once more down in Mansfield
And there isn't even much snow
And nobody's counting on charity
It seems that was used up a long time ago
But somewhere dad found a small tree
And he hung up the lights carefully
Then the women of steel from the steel workers union
Brought toys for the girls and the boys
The firemen's union from somewhere down state
Brought turkeys and hams and they filled up the plate
With cheers and good tidings for all
It's Christmas in steel union hall
Daddy looked down at his children
And he smiled with sorrow and pride
Then he sat down on the union hall floor
Put his face in his hands and he started to cry
He had been strong now for years
But he just couldn't hold back the tears
God bless these workers and families
For the road that they travel is long
And as they stand up for what they believe
God grant them courage and help them along
Let the spirit of hope still shine bright
As the stars down on Mansfield that night
It's Christmas in Mansfield, Ohio
And the children laugh and they play
Though nobody here can forget about troubles
Maybe they'll set them aside for one day
And remember the kindness they've found
This Christmas in a steel mill town
Give thanks for the kindness they've found
This Christmas in a steel mill town
Rise As One
from
Rise As One
I dedicate this recording of 'Rise As One' to my new niece Annika Jencks. "We will build a brand new future for our daughters and our sons…" …and our nieces & nephews! Thanks to Mike Tadsen and John & Judy Gallo for inviting me to meet some of the workers and for sharing the story with me. The workers of OAPSIE Local 419 are heroes in my book.
It is we who serve the lunches, we who sweep the floors
We who drive the busses with your children off to school
We keep the buildings warm in winter, and cool when it's hot
And we will not let you play us for the fool
When we ask for better healthcare, or an increase in our wage
You tell us that the township can't afford to pay the bill
But you found half a million dollars from within those very coffers
To try and break the union's back and break our will
And we will never give up, we will never give in
And we'll never, ever go away
We will build a brand new future for our daughters and our sons
We will work 'til all workers rise as one
We believe in education and the future of our town
And the children that we serve from day to day
Whenever there's a need we always go the extra mile
God knows we do it for the love, not for the pay
But we have worked as hard as any for every inch of ground
That we've gained in the struggle for our rights
And we will not stand by idly as you try to tear us down
If we have to we will organize a strike
Well we didn't have a penny in our strike fund, sad but true
That made us all a little bit afraid
But the call went out to every other union in the state
And somehow all the workers' bills were paid
You see this isn't just the schools within our town
When we dare to raise our voice in solidarity we stand
With every other worker all the world around
We held a rally at the fairgrounds, to show them our resolve
And to drum up some support for our campaign
A thousand people hit the street, and that's more than half our town
And after that, you know things couldn't be the same
Now whoever would've guessed it, when this whole thing began
We'd have the strength to hold out for so long
But three months have now gone by and the school board just gave in
On their demands, now we can sing our victory song
The greatest "working man" by Rush
"i got no time for living yeah I am working all the time"
Jimmy Cliff
Harder they Come (the Harder They Fall)
Struggling Man
Vigilantes of Love - Resume
never cross a picket line by billy bragg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX46rPmXO4U
Five hundred men sacked for refusing
To ever cross a picket line
The voices down the ages warning
Never cross a picket line
You must never cross a picket line
Two years gone by but still they never
Ever cross a picket line
With their wives and children they stand together
Never cross a picket line
You must never cross a picket line
Look away, look away
Look away out west to San Francisco
Look away, look away
Look away down south to Sydney Harbour
Where the dockers have organised
The world's longest picket line
Technically this is an illegal strike
Never cross a picket line
But technically workers have no rights
Never cross a picket line
You must never cross a picket line
Oh, I want to live in a Brand New Britain
Never cross a picket line
Where workers rights are enshrined and written
Never cross a picket line
You must never cross a picket line
Look away, look away
Look away out west to San Diego
Look away, look away
Look away out east to far Osaka
Where the dockers have organised
The world's longest picket line
The Tories are gone but there's no improvement
Never cross a picket line
Now where is the might of the Labour movement
Never cross a picket line
You must never cross a picket line
Look away, look away
Look away down south to Auckland City
Look away, look away
Look away out west to old Vancouver
Where the dockers have organised
The world's longest picket line
Where the dockers have realised
You must never cross a picket line
Joe Hill Lyrics
Artist(Band):Joan Baez
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,
alive as you and me.
Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead"
"I never died" said he,
"I never died" said he.
"The Copper Bosses killed you Joe,
they shot you Joe" they filled you full of lead.
"Takes more than guns to kill a man"
Says Joe "I didn't die"
Says Joe "I didn't die"
"In Salt Lake City, Joe," says I,
Him standing by my bed,
"They framed you on a murder charge,"
Says Joe, "But I ain't dead,"
Says Joe, "But I ain't dead."
And standing there as big as life
and smiling with his eyes.
Says Joe "What they can never kill
went on to organize,
went on to organize"
From San Diego up to Maine,
in every mine and mill,
Where working men defend their rights,
it's there you'll find Joe Hill,
it's there you'll find Joe Hill!
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,
alive as you and me.
Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead"
"I never died" said he,
"I never died" said he.
Dropkick Murphys: "The Worker's Song"
Allow me to be another voice to vote for Dropkick Murphys. They have a great collection of songs, but I believe the one most pertainent to be "The Worker's Son" from their Album "Balckout." The song is 1. Irish. 2. Punk and 3. Supportive of the workers. How could it possibly be any cooler? here is a link to youtube with lyrics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTafZRecy2k
"The Worker's Song"
Yeah, this one's for the workers who toil night and day/ By hand and by brain, to earn your pay/ Who for centuries long past for no more than your bread/ Have bled for your countries and counted your dead
In the factories and mills and the shipyards and mines/ We've often been told to keep up with the times/ For our skills are not needed they streamlined the job/ And with slide rule and stopwatch, our pride they have robbed!"
Also, I think that DKM have other great songs for bumpermusic later on if you would like to take a listen. Their rendition of "The Geenfields of France" is simply beautiful, taking such an excelent poem and renderng it even better in musical form. Here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK9TDt3Ouo4
Also, the "Fields of Athenry" is a fantastic song, again about the struggles of the Irish working class in a time of occupation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10agPj0Vzu4
Thanks again for such a great show Thom!
I recommend Workingman's Blues #2 by Bob Dylan from album Modern Times 2009.
Blue collar fight song! The labor anthem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBPVNBE0xug
Common Ones by American Graveyard
Randy Newman: A Piece of the Pie
Like us all you want the very best of life
A car, a house, a neighborhood that's nice
With flowers and trees and lots of little kids around
Where public schools aren't breeding grounds
for vice
You say you're working harder than you ever have
You say you got two jobs and so's your wife
Living in the richest country in the world
Wouldn't you think you'd have abetter life
If you lived in Norway
You'd be fine right now
Get sick there
You make the doctor wait
If you lived in Belgium
You could mediate
[Flemish/French debate]
Hey knock it off!
And the French fries are great
Hey!
Jesus Christ it stinks here high and low
The rich are getting richer
I should know
While we're going up
You're going down
And no one gives a shit but Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne
Jackson
Jackson
There's a famous saying someone famous said
As General Motors goes so go we all
Johnny Cougar's singing it's their country now
He'll be singing for Toyota by the fall
[Patriots]:
That's not ture
John's a patriot
He's not like you
He's a......
Jesus Christ it stinks here low and high
Some get rich
And others just get by
Bono's off in Africa - he's never around
The country turns its lonely eyes to who?
Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne
A piece of the pie
That's all we're asking for
A piece of the pie
How about a labor song straight out of Madison
Westside Andy/ Mel Ford Band
Album: Alley Cat
Song: Jobless Recovery
Lyrics by Mel, Harmonica by Andy
Billy Bragg's Power in the Union.
Here's a version by the Seattle Labor Chorus on their "CD Songs of Working People" http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/seattlelabor
Also check out the "Hail a Union Chorus" with the opening refrain of "Join the Union" begining this labor parody of the best known chorus from Handel's Messiah.
Billy Bragg's Power in the Union. Here is a version by the Seattle Labor Chorus: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/seattlelabor
BILLY BRAGG - There Is Power In A Union
There is power in a factory, power in the land
Power in the hands of a worker
But it all amounts to nothing if together we don't stand
There is power in a Union
Now the lessons of the past were all learned with workers' blood
The mistakes of the bosses we must pay for
From the cities and the farmlands to trenches full of mud
War has always been the bosses' way, sir
The Union forever defending our rights
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
With our brothers and our sisters from many far off lands
There is power in a Union
Now I long for the morning that they realise
Brutality and unjust laws can not defeat us
But who'll defend the workers who cannot organise
When the bosses send their lackies out to cheat us?
Money speaks for money, the Devil for his own
Who comes to speak for the skin and the bone
What a comfort to the widow, a light to the child
There is power in a Union
The Union forever defending our rights
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
With our brothers and our sisters together we will stand
There is power in a Union.
STREET DOGS - Fading American Dream
Working hard from day to day now, I get a check that barely lasts
I'm just another no choice member in Uncle Sam's desperation class
Finding it hard to face my wife, new kid born out of shotgun life
Twenty years old and I love them both, see no sunshine in our skies
Silently we pray for turbulence to break
How much more financial stress can we all take?
Getting closer to our limit
We chase the penthouse from the basement
Our current rat race, we run to stand still
This is our fading American Dream
Bad news coming in, these higher rent rates gouge us thin
The sands of time are running down as we slip further behind
Bleeding my family, they're stretched too
Eviction notes, what can I do?
Twenty years old, feel my life's on hold
Yell at a school-taught God, oh why?
Silently we pray for turbulence to break
How much more financial stress can we all take?
Getting closer to our limit
We chase the penthouse from the basement
Our current rat race, we run to stand still
This is our fading American Dream
Have we ever been above water?
Do we ever see ourselves coming out of it alive?
Getting closer to our limit
We chase the penthouse from the basement
Our current rat race, we run to stand still
This is our fading American Dream
I got no time no to go and cry now
Leave for a second job, don't want to go poor
I'm just searching for my dignity
This is our fading American Dream
This is our fading American Dream
This is our fading American Dream
FLOGGING MOLLY - Don't Shut Em Down
Sad days, kissing the cheeks
of the families who are walking away
Tragic, the pubs are opposing,
the system is broken, decay
Because business is down at the depot,
defenses are the only things built
Neighbors wave goodbye to each other
This country is over, they say
Yeah, this is life
In a modern town
The windows smashed open with the doors kicked out
It's not a good day left to be in a fight
'cause living is hard through the struggles of life
If nothing gets done it will never be right
But don't shut 'em down
Lately, the 21st century's been... crazy
It's the sing of the times
Buildings decomposing in slumber
There's no work for all till they wake
Yeah, this is life
In a modern town
The windows smashed open with the doors kicked out
It's not a good day left to be in a fight
'cause living is hard through the struggles of life
If nothing gets done it will never be right
But don't shut 'em down
Don't shut 'em down
Too many faults, no reasons
The rains that fall, dry bleeding
Upon the ashes of our homes
Our homes
Save our homes
Manic
The word on the street here is panic
There's a riot at hand
People, taking care of the people
There's no other way, or we'll break
Yeah, this is life
In a modern town
The windows smashed open with the doors kicked out
It's not a good day left to be in a fight
'cause living is hard through the struggles of life
Yeah, this is life
In a modern town
The windows smashed open with the doors kicked out
It's not a good day left to be in a fight
'cause living is hard through the struggles of life
If nothing gets done it will never be right
But don't shut 'em down
Don't shut 'em down
Sad days, kissing the cheeks of the families (you can't shut 'em down)
Sad days, kissing the cheeks of the families (you won't shut 'em down)
How about the tune from that 70's rock god "gary Wright" Stand up for your rights! Excellent tune.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=339zEqxa7Js
King Harvest by the Band
"I work for the union she is good to me....."
We've had so many responses for our "You Pick The Music Week" that we're doing it again! Governor Scott Walker from the state of Wisconsin has thrown gasoline on the labor war fire. We are asking you to submit your favorite labor, union, or working songs for "You Pick The Music Week Two: Labor Music Week!" Get all of your friends to post their songs too! Somebody else post your song? Please post anyway! Already posted but got another song? Keep posting! The more the better! Thank you so much and be sure to listen for your song on the program!
- Jacob
Hey man. Thank you so very much for playing Black Sabbath (War Pigs) the other day. I am a very LIBERAL METAL HEAD!!! I was so happy when I heard that.
I know you won't play it, but I have written a very pro labor/historical song called "Haymarket Square". Check it http://www.reverbnation.com/muckrakermetal
Haymarket Square
Have you ever been down to Haymarket?
Come on put your boots on and get set.
Tens of thousands in the street.
8 hours is what we seek.
Have you heard the Pinkerton's have got a bomb?
Hired thugs. Who knows where they're from?
Tens of thousands in the street.
8 hours is what we seek.
Chorus
Tell it like is boys, we can't be duped.
Haymarket Square!
They sell the lies and we tell the truth.
Haymarket Square!
The people at the podium speak for us.
An 8 hour day would be glorious.
Tens of thousands in the street.
8 hours is what we seek.
Someone kills a policeman with a bomb.
The Pinkerton's smile as we're shot upon.
Tens of thousands in the street.
8 hours is what we seek.
Chorus
Chaos ensues and the bullets fly.
Mayday for the worker is the reason why.
50 lay dead in the street.
Gotta fight and die or we'll face defeat.
Chorus
We fought down there, we died down there.
“SOLIDARITY” by Billy Brown
in Pete Seeger’s Labor Songbook p.240
“CARRY IT ON! A HISTORY IN SONG AND PICTURE OF AMERICA’S WORKING MEN AND WOMEN”
Lyrics
It’s a bird! No! It’s a plane! No! It’s the Hatchet Man!
Watch out y’all, he’s got a hatchet in his hand…and he’s chopping everything he can.
So let’s keep our…SOLIDARITY!
Let’s keep our…SOLIDARITY!
SOLIDARITY!
Let’s keep our…SOLIDARITY!
You know what we had to say, about the way Mr. Reagan thinks.
You know we told the whole wide world that Reaganomics stinks.
He’s the opposite of Robin Hood, Reaganomics just ain’t no good.
Are you hip to what we say? If you’re not it goes this- (way)
Take it from the needy, give it to the greedy. That’s what Reaganomics say.
That’s just it, Reaganomics ain’t hip. And we told him Solidarity Day.
So let’s keep our…SOLIDARITY!
Let’s keep our…SOLIDARITY!
SOLIDARITY!
Let’s keep our…SOLIDARITY!
You thought he was your friend, so you helped get him in.
But didn’t you really know, that you reap what you sow.
Cause now you’re out of a job, and you’re taken it kind’ a hard.
Are you hip to what we say? If you’re not it goes this- (way)
Take it from the needy, give it to the greedy. That’s what Reaganomics say.
That’s just it, Reaganomics ain’t hip. And we told him Solidarity Day.
So let’s keep our…SOLIDARITY!
Let’s keep our…SOLIDARITY!
SOLIDARITY!
Let’s keep our…SOLIDARITY!
We say hey there Congressmen, do you seriously want to stay in?
Cause if you don’t put away your knife, we’re gonna send you back to private life.
Hey Congressmen hear our screams, we don’t want his jellybeans.
Are you hip to what we say? If you’re not it goes this- (way)
Take it from the needy, give it to the greedy. That’s what Reaganomics say.
That’s just it, Reaganomics ain’t hip. And we told him Solidarity Day.
So let’s keep our…SOLIDARITY!
Let’s keep our…SOLIDARITY!
SOLIDARITY!
Let’s keep our…SOLIDARITY!
"The Working Man" - CCR
"Don't Look Now" - CCR
"Power to the People" - John Lennon
"Harry's Hands" by Dennis DeYoung is the most impactful song about labor and the decline of the American Dream. The lyrics are very moving.
It's got to be about one of the unions great heroes.
JOE HILL by JOAN BAEZ
Love her, love her voice, Ken
All You Fascists by Billy Brag & Wilco...."Woody Guthrie"
Kyle, Melanie & Sophia
Ballad of a Carpenter by Ewan Mac Coll
Solidarity Forever!! by Pete Seeger Noiw more than ever
Hey Jacob! You know what i want ;) Working Man by Rush...yes, they are Canadian and yes, they are treated better than we are, and yes, I would love to have their working conditions, but can you please play it?
Artist - Dan Seals
Album - Rage On
Song - Five Generations of Rock County Wilsons
40hour week-Alabama Working Man Blues-Merle Haggard