There Is Power in a Union

[Deep13]

(performed by Billy Bragg)

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwbzxemJZIc


*blackleg = scab

[Rabblevox]

1. not everyone knows Billy Bragg...here's some link love...

if you don't know Billy Bragg yet, meet your new best friend.

Power in a Union
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwbzxemJZIc

Which Side Are You On?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbddqXib814&feature=related

All You Fascists
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pDRIJC31tU&feature=related

And for a chaser, here's a dose of The Clash, "Spanish Bombs"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fJqIKouSAs

[Deep13]

2. I like his translation of the International. nt

[Rabblevox]

3. I'm a "red-diaper" baby, and have been a socialist since I was old enough to think...

but I fucking HATE the "Internationale" it is a fucking retarded, lame-ass song. I will say the same about "We Shall Overcome"

People, we have GOOD protest music available, quit listening to and promoting the lame shit!

[Deep13]

4. *shrug* I think Bragg's translation breathes life into it.

But yeah, there are better songs than the national anthem of the Soviet Union.

Union Maid, Woody Guthrie

There once was a union maid, she never was afraid
Of goons and ginks and company finks and the deputy sheriffs* who made the raid.
She went to the union hall when a meeting it was called,
And when the Legion boys come 'round
She always stood her ground.

Oh, you can't scare me, I'm sticking to the union,
I'm sticking to the union, I'm sticking to the union.
Oh, you can't scare me, I'm sticking to the union,
I'm sticking to the union 'til the day I die.

This union maid was wise to the tricks of company spies,
She couldn't be fooled by a company stool, she'd always organize the guys.
She always got her way when she struck for better pay.
She'd show her card to the National Guard
And this is what she'd say

You gals who want to be free, just take a tip from me;
Get you a man who's a union man and join the ladies' auxiliary.**
Married life ain't hard when you got a union card,
A union man has a happy life when he's got a union wife.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs5_gB582IM


* Deputy sheriffs are now among those targeted by union-busters.

** The idea that women have to accept a secondary role in the auxiliary is pretty sexist, but that's how it was for a long time.