SONGS TO KEEP THE

FLAMESBURNING

ON THE

PICKETLINES

brought to you by:

Industrial Workers of the World (IWW),Madison General Membership Branch (GMB)

(P.O. Box 2442, Madison, WI 53701)

Solidarity Sing-Along(See Facebook)

...and other area groups and activistsexpressing solidarity with workers who

organize and act!

This songbook was put together in November 2015 in solidarity with the workers at the Kohler Company during their strike. It is intended to be used by any workers organizing and acting together in their interests, to keep up their spirits, to inspire, to build unity, etc. Permission is hereby given to reproduce this songbook in whole or in part for noncommercial purposes, particularly if you're going to raise a little hell (and some voices) with it!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1) Solidarity Forever

2) Dump the Bosses Off Your Back

3) Hold the Fort

4) There Is Power in a Union (by Billy Bragg)

5) Union Maid

6) Roll the Union On

7) Which Side Are You On?

8) Joe Hill

9) Blitz the Boss

10) Banks of Marble

11) There Is Power in a Union (by Joe Hill)

12) Picket Boogie

13) Wobbly Doxology

14) This Little Scab

15) The Union Buster

16) Give Me That New Union Contract

1) SOLIDARITY FOREVER(Lyrics by Ralph Chaplin;Tune: “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”)

[Original verses]:

When the union's inspiration through the workers' blood shall run,

There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun;

Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one,

But the union makes us strong.

CHORUS:Solidarity forever,Solidarity forever,Solidarity forever,For the union makes us strong.

Is there aught we hold in common with the greedy parasite,

Who would lash us into serfdom and would crush us with his might?

Is there anything left to us but to organize and fight?

For the union makes us strong.

CHORUS

It is we who plowed the prairies; built the cities where they trade;

Dug the mines and built the workshops, endless miles of railroad laid;

Now we stand outcast and starving midst the wonders we have made;

But the union makes us strong.

CHORUS

All the world that's owned by idle drones is ours and ours alone.

We have laid the wide foundations; built it skyward stone by stone.

It is ours, not to slave in, but to master and to own.

While the union makes us strong.

CHORUS

They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn,

But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn.

We can break their haughty power, gain our freedom when we learn

That the union makes us strong.

CHORUS

In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold,

Greater than the might of armies, multiplied a thousand-fold.

We can bring to birth a new world from the ashes of the old

For the union makes us strong.

CHORUS [2x]

[Additional verses by Steve Suffet]:

They say our day is over, and they say our time is through,

They say you need no union if your collar isn't blue,

Well that is just another lie the boss is telling you,

For the Union makes us strong!

CHORUS

They divide us by our color; they divide us by our tongue,

They divide us men and women; they divide us old and young,

But they'll tremble at our voices, when they hear these verses sung,

For the Union makes us strong!

CHORUS

2) DUMP THE BOSSES OFF YOUR BACK(Lyrics by John Brill; 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 dump 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 off your back.

Are you almost split asunder?Loaded like a long-eared jack?Boob—why don't you buck like thunder?And dump the bosses off your back.All the agonies you suffer,You can end with one good whack—Stiffen up, you orn'ry duffer—And dump the bosses off your back.

3) HOLD THE FORT We meet today in freedom's cause And raise our voices high We'll join our hands in Union strong Under Wisconsin’s sky CHORUS: Hold the Fort for we are coming Union hearts be strong! Side by side keep pressing onward Victory will come! Look, Wisconsin, see the Union Banners waving high Reinforcements now appearing Victory is nigh CHORUS See our numbers still increasing Hear the bugle blow By our Union we shall triumph Over every foe CHORUS

4) THERE IS POWER IN A UNION(Lyrics by Billy Bragg; Tune: “Battle Cry of Freedom”)

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 CHORUS: The union forever Defending our rights Down with the blackleg, [blackleg=scab]All workers unite With our brothers and our sisters From many far off lands 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 to the farmlands To trenches full of mud War has always been the bosses’ way, sir CHORUS Now I long for the morning That they realize Unjust laws cannot defeat us But who'll defend the workers Who cannot organize When the bosses send their lackeys out to cheat us? CHORUS

5) UNION MAID(Lyrics by Woody Guthrie; Tune: “Red Wing”) There once was a Union Maid She never was afraid Of the goons and the ginks and the 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 company boys came ‘round She always stood her ground! CHORUS: 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 Till the day I die This Union Maid was wise To the tricks of the company spies She couldn't be fooled by company stools She'd always organize the guys She'd always get her way When she struck for higher pay She'd show her card to the National Guard And this is what she'd say! CHORUS [Later verse by the Almanac Singers]:You women who want to be free Just take a tip from me Break out of that mold we've all been sold You got a fighting history The fight for women's rights With workers must unite Like Mother Jones, bestir them bones To the front of every fight!

CHORUS

[Later verse by Fanchon Lewis and Rebecca Mills]We modern union maids, Are also not afraidTo walk the line, leave jobs behind,We're not just the ladies' aid!We'll fight for equal pay, And we will get our way!We're workers too, the same as you,And we'll fight the union way

6) ROLL THE UNION ON (Lyrics and tune by John Handcox, lyrics adapted by Solidarity Sing Along participants) CHORUS: We're gonna roll, we're gonna roll We’re gonna roll the union on We're gonna roll, we're gonna roll We’re gonna roll the union on If the Gov gets in the way We’re gonna roll it over him Gonna roll it over him, gonna roll it over him If the Gov gets in the way We’re gonna roll it over him We’re gonna roll the union on CHORUS If they lie to us again We’re gonna roll it over them Gonna roll it over them, gonna roll it over them If they lie to us again We’re gonna roll it over them We’re gonna roll the union on CHORUS If they try to lock us out We’re gonna roll it over them Gonna roll it over them, gonna roll it over them If they try to lock us out We’re gonna roll it over them We’re gonna roll the union on CHORUS If they throw us all in jail We’re gonna roll it over them Gonna roll it over them, gonna roll it over them If they throw us all in jail We’re gonna roll it over them We’re gonna roll the union on CHORUS If they try to shut us up We’re gonna roll it over them Gonna roll it over them, gonna roll it over them If they try to shut us up We’re gonna roll it over them We’re gonna roll the union on CHORUS

7) WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?(Lyrics by Florence Reece, adapted by Daithi Wolfe)

CHORUS: Oh, which side are you on, boys? Which side are you on? Which side are you on, gals? Which side are you on? Come all Wisconsin workers Good news to you I'll tell Of how the good old union Is still alive and well CHORUS We fight for working families Our struggle’s just begun But we'll all stick together 'Til every battle's won CHORUS They say that out in Kohler There are no neutrals there You're either with the workers Or with the millionaires CHORUS Oh, workers can you stand it? Oh, tell me how you can Will you be a lousy scab? Or will you lend a hand? CHORUS Now, don’t believe the bossesDon’t listen to their lies Us working folks don’t have a chance Unless we organize! CHORUS (twice)

8) JOE HILL(by Alfred Hayes and Earl Robinson, with last verse added by Solidarity Sing Along participants) 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," says he "I never died," says he "In Salt Lake, Joe," says I to him 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.” "The copper bosses shot you, Joe They killed you, Joe," says I "Takes more than guns to kill a man," Says Joe, "I didn't die." Says Joe, "I didn't die." And standing there as big as life And smiling with his eyes Joe says, "What they could never kill Went on to organize, Went on to organize." "Joe Hill ain't dead," he says to me "Joe Hill ain't never died When workers strike and organize Joe Hill is by their side,Joe Hill is by their side." From San Diego up to Maine In every mine and mill Where workers stand up for their rights It's there you'll find Joe Hill It's there you'll find Joe Hill From Madison to the Kohler strike The voice is echoing still Wisconsin workers strong and proud Salute you yet, Joe Hill!Salute you yet, Joe Hill!

9) BLITZ THE BOSS(Lyrics by by Sean Carleton; Tune: “Blitzkrieg Bop,” by the Ramones)

Hey ho, let’s go (4x)

We’re gonna get more payWe’re gonna find a wayWe’re gonna take the dayWhen we blitz the boss.

We’re plotting in the break roomOur rage is in full bloomWe’re gonna lower the boomAnd blitz the boss.

Hey ho, let’s goDump the bosses off our backs now!We know what we want, and so We’re all pumped up and ready to go!

We’re gonna win this fightWe’ll assert our collective mightWe can even get a pay hikeIf we blitz the boss.

We won’t accept defeatWe’re going take to the streetsWe’ll march to our own beatAnd blitz the boss.

Hey ho, let’s go (4x)

10) BANKS OF MARBLE(Original lyrics by Les Rice, adapted by Mary Ray Worley and Felix Bunke) I’ve traveled ‘round Wisconsin From Bad River to Waukesha It really makes me wonder The things I heard and saw I saw the weary farmers Plowing sod and loam I heard the auction hammer Just a-knocking down their home CHORUS: But the banks are made of marble With a guard at every door And the vaults are stuffed with silver That the (farmers) sweated for

I’ve seen the Kohler workers Bravely out on strike Marching for fair treatment And for o-verdue wage hikes CHORUS (workers) I’ve seen the loyal teachers Forced to buy their own supplies Fighting for their students Against those who would privatize CHORUS (teachers) I’ve seen our people working Throughout this mighty land I pray we’ll get together And together make a stand Then we’ll own those banks of marble With no guard at any door And we’ll share those vaults of silver That we have sweated for! Then we’ll own those banks of marble With no guard at any door And we’ll share those vaults of silver That we have sweated for!

11) THERE IS POWER IN A UNION(Lyrics by Joe Hill; Tune: “There Is Power in the Blood (Of the Lamb)”)

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, lend a hand.

CHORUS:There is power there is power In a band of working folks,When they stand hand in hand,That's a power, that's a powerThat must rule in every 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, lend a hand.

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, lend a hand.

CHORUS

12) PICKET BOOGIE(From the Hormel strike of the 1980s; Tune: “Hokey Pokey”)

They keep the raises out, they put some cutbacks in,

The offer that they're making is a crying sin,But we'll do the Picket Boogie and

we'll turn it all around,And that's what it's all about!

CHORUS:We'll do the Picket Boogie.We'll do the Picket Boogie.We'll do the Picket Boogie,And that's what it's all about yeah!

The language that they put in keeps better pensions out,

We look at their proposals and we want to cry and shout,

Let's do the Picket Boogie and we'll turn it all around,

And that's what it's all about!

CHORUS

They rake the profits in until their pockets bulge out,

Then they say our kids and families can do without.

So we'll do the Picket Boogie and we'll turn it all around.

And that's what it's all about!

CHORUS

13) WOBBLY DOXOLOGY(from the Australian IWW)

Praise boss when morning work bells chime,Praise him for chunks of overtime,Praise him whose bloody wars we fight,Praise him, fat leech and parasite.

Aw, hell!

14) THIS LITTLE SCAB(Lyrics: Chicago Branch IWW and Local 329, Service Employees International Union; Tune: This Old Man)

This little scab, s/he plays one, S/he is scabbing just for fun.

CHORUS:With a knick-knack paddy-whack Let everybody know, This little scab is going home!

This little scab, s/he plays two, Is there nothing s/he won't do? CHORUS

This little scab, s/he plays three, Scab on you and scab on me. CHORUS

This little scab, s/he plays four. Helps the boss keep workers poor. CHORUS

This little scab, s/he plays five, How does s/he think s/he will thrive?CHORUS

This little scab, s/he plays six, Scabbing's how s/he gets her/his kicks. CHORUS

This little scab, s/he plays seven, This little scab won't go to heaven. CHORUS

This little scab, s/he plays eight, Hurry scab or you'll be late. CHORUS

This little scab, s/he plays nine, Walked across a picket line. CHORUS

This little scab, s/he plays ten, This little scab won't scab again. CHORUS

15) THE UNION BUSTER(Lyrics by Paul McKenna; Tune: “Oh Susannah”)

Well now let me introduce myself,Jack Shyster is my name.I’m a management consultant. Union-busting is my game.I’m a master of the con job. I’m an expert at the hoax,And I make my livin’ stealin’ bread From the mouths of working folks. CHORUS: I’m a union-buster, The bosses’ trusty aide.I help keep their employees Overworked and underpaid.

In the old days we used gun thugs, We used ginks and finks and goons.Nowadays we use fancy words But sing the same old tune.Pitting folks against each other, Spreading hatred, fear and lies,Cutting down the hopes of workers Who rise up to organize. CHORUS

There’s no tactic I won’t stoop to. There’s no trick I haven’t triedTo intimidate and infiltrate, To conquer and divide.I’ll wear the union down with Litigation and delay,And all the while I’m raking in A thousand bucks a day. CHORUS

Now when I was young, I used to fight With kids one-half my size,Pull the legs off bugs and spiders and The wings off butterflies.Now I’ve grown to be a man, I haven’t changed at all.I’m still stepping on the underdog, The humble and the small. CHORUS

Jack London tells the story:God was working in his lab,And from some hateful substance He made my good friend the scab [yecch, blecch!]Well, he gave some of that awful stuff A graduate degree,He dressed it in a three-piece suit, And that’s how he made me. CHORUS (x2)

16) GIVE ME THAT NEW UNION CONTRACT(Lyrics: Unknown, adapted and expanded by Felix Bunke; Tune: "Give Me That Old Time Religion")

CHORUS:Give me that new union contractGive me that new union contractGive me that new union contractWith pay enough for me

Let me work for decent wagesThey've been cheating us for agesWorkers won't be shut in cagesThat's not enough for me!

CHORUS

We want workers treated fairlyTwo-tier doesn't treat us squarelyThey won't trick us now, we're wary!It's union time for me!

CHORUS

Now the bosses make more moneyAnd their future sure is sunny,And we helped them, but what's funny?Pay's not enough for me!

CHORUS

We won't let the bosses bust usWe'll have dignity and justiceWe won't let the bosses beat usIt's union time for me!

CHORUS

Now we're striking here at KohlerWe don't want to be high rollers,But their offer's a one-holer!It's not enough for me!

CHORUS