The Great JOE HILL - Bumb, migrant worker, Song writer, fell

[RedCeltic]

This is a wonderful song about one of the greatest rebels and song writers ever born. Joe Hill. There are over 100 songs in the “little red song book” that are sung to this day by the IWW, and many of them have been written by the Swedish immigrant/migrant worker/ IWW fellow worker/ Rebel.. Joe Hill. When I hear this song, and think of the murder case they brought against Joe Hill, I can’t help but think of the case they made against Mumia.

Although both cases happened on opposite ends of the 20’th century, both involved a social rebel who was found guilty on circumstantial evidence. Joe Hill, had a gunshot wound he said he received from a bar room fight over a girl, who he refused to name to protect her. That wound was the only thing that was used to convict him for the murderer as the murderer of the grocery store owner and former policeman, was wounded during the incident.

This is a song ABOUT Joe Hill…. I’ll also post links to some mp3’s and lyrics of songs BY Joe Hill…


This song is by Phil Ochs .. Live in Montreal

[b]----------------->>

PS... This song actually makes my cry when I hear it!

[RedCeltic]

"Casey Jones -- The Union Scab" (http://video.pbs.org:8080/ramgen/joehill/UPCaseyJonesTheUnionScab.rm)?

Lyrics:

The workers on the S. P. Line to strike out a call;
But Casey Jones, the engineer, he wouldn't strike at all;
His boiler it was leaking, and its drivers on the bum,
And his engine and its bearings, they were all out of plumb.
Casey Jones, kept his junk-pile running,
Casey Jones was working double time;
Casey Jones, got a wooden medal, for being good and Faithful on The S. P. Line. S. P. Line

The workers said to Casey: "Won't
You help us win this strike?"
But Casey said: "Let me alone, you'd better take a hike."
Then Casey's wheezy engine ran right out of track,
And Casey hit the river with an awful crack.

Casey Jones, hit the river bottom,
Casey Jones broke his blooming spine,
Casey Jones became and angeleno,
He took a trip to heaven on the S. P. Line.

When Casey Jones got up to heaven to the Pearly Gate,
He said: "I'm Casey Jones, the guy that pulled the S. P. freight."
"You're just the man," said Peter,
"Our musicians are on strike;
"You can get a job a-scabbing any time you like."

Casey Jones got a job in heaven;
Casey Jones was doing mighty fine;
Casey Jones went scabbing on the angels,
Just like he did to workers on the S. P. Line."

[RedCeltic]

There is Power in a Union" (http://video.pbs.org:8080/ramgen/joehill/UPThereIsPowerInAUnion.rm?altplay=UPThereIsPowerIn AUnion.rm)


Lyrics:

Would you have freedom 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. There is pow'r, there is pow'r in a band of
Working men, when they stand, hand in hand. That's a pow'r, that's a pow'r tht must rule in ev'ry land-
One Industrial Union Grand.

Would you have mansions of gold in the sky,
And live in a shack, way in the back?
Would you have wings up in heaven to fly,
And starve here with rags on your back?

-Chorus-

If you've had 'nuff of the "blood of the lamb,"
Then join in the Grand Industrial Band;
If, for a change, you would have eggs and ham,
Then come! Do your share like a man.

-Chorus-

If you like sluggers to beat off your head,
Then don't organize, all unions despise,
If you want nothing before you are dead,
Shake hands with your boss and look wise.

-Chorus-

Come all ye workers, from every land,
Come, join in the Grand Industrial Band,
Then we our share of this earth shall demand.
Come on! Do your share like a man.

-Chorus-


"There is Power in a Union" was written by Joe Hill.

[RedCeltic]

"Where the Fraser River Flows" (http://video.pbs.org:8080/ramgen/joehill/UPWhereTheFraserRiverFlows.rm?altplay=UPWhereTheFr aserRiverFlows.rm)

Lyrics:


Fellow workers, pay attention
To what I'm gonna mention,
For it is the fixed Intention
Of the Workers of the World,
And I Hope you'll all be ready,
Truehearted, brave and steady,
To rally 'round the standard
W hen the Red Flag is unfurled.

Where the Fraser River flows,
Each fellow worker knows,
They have bullied and oppressed us,
But still our Union grows.
And we're going to find a way, boys;
For shorter hours and better pay, boys;
And we're going to win the day, boys;
Where the River Fraser flows.

For these gunny-sack contractors
Have all been dirty actors,
And they're not our benefactors,
Each fellow worker knows.
So we've got to stick together
In fine or dirty weather,
And we will show no white feather,
Where the Fraser River flows.

Now the boss the law is stretching,
Bulls and pimps he's fetching,
And they are a fine collection,
A s Jesus only knows.
But why their mothers reared them,
And why the devil spared them,
Are questions we can't answer,
Where the Fraser River flows.


"Where the Fraser River Flows" was written by Joe Hill

[RedCeltic]

"The Preacher and the Slave" (http://video.pbs.org:8080/ramgen/joehill/UPThePreacherAndTheSlave.rm?altplay=UPThePreacherA ndTheSlave.rm)

Lyrics:

Long haired preachers come out ev'ry night,
Try to tell you what's wrong and what's right;
But when asked, how 'bout something to eat, (Let us eat)
They will answer with voices so sweet; (Oh so sweet)
You will eat, (You will eat)
Bye and bye, (Bye and bye) in that glorious land above the sky;
(way up high)
work and pray, (work and pray) live on hay, (Live on hay)
you'll get pie in the sky when you die. (That's a lie)

And the starvation army they play,
And they sing and they clap and they pray.
Till they get all your coin on the drum,
Then they'll tell you when you're on the bum:

-Chorus-

Holy Rollers and Jumpers come out,
And they holler, they jump and they shout
"Give your money to Jesus," they say,
"He will cure all diseases today."

-Chorus-

If you fight hard for children and wife-
Try to get something good in this life-
You're a sinner and bad man, they tell,
When you die you will sure go to hell.

-Chorus-

Workingmen of all countries unite,
Side by side we for freedom will fight!
When the world and its wealth we have gained,
To the grafters we'll sing this refrain:

-Final Chorus-

You will eat, bye and bye,
When you've learned how to cook and to fry.
Chop some wood, 'twill do you good,
And you'll eat in the sweet bye and bye.


"The Preacher and the Slave" was written by Joe Hill.

[truthaddict11]

i am reading a book on the history of the IWW and it includes much in Joe Hill

[peaccenicked]

Joe Hill
My favourite working class organiser. His songs and sense of humour can never die
Before one dies make sure you get to hear Paul Robeson singing the Ballad of Joe Hill.

[iwwobblie]

utah phillips does great versions of all those songs.