John Golden and the Lawrence Strike, song lyrics
 Song: John Golden and the Lawrence Strike
Lyrics: Joe Hill(1)
Music: to the tune of "A Little Talk with Jesus"
Year: c.1912
Genre: Traditional
Country: USA
In Lawrence, when the starving masses struck for more to eat
And wooden-headed Wood he tried the strikers to defeat,
To Sammy Gompers wrote and asked him what he thought,
And this is just the answer that the mailman brought:
(CHORUS:)
A little talk with Golden
Makes it right, all right;
He'll settle any strike,
If there's coin in sight;
Just take him up to dine
And everything is fine-
A little talk with Golden
Makes it right, all right.
This song was originally posted on protestsonglyrics.net
The preachers, cops and money-kings were working hand in hand,
The boys in blue, with stars and stripes were sent by Uncle Sam;
Still things were looking blue, 'cause every striker knew
That weaving cloth with bayonets is hard to do.
(CHORUS)
John Golden had with Mr. Wood a private interview,
He told him how to bust up the "I double double U."
He came out in a while and wore the Golden smile.
He said: "I've got all labor leaders skinned a mile."
(CHORUS)
John Golden pulled a bogus strike with all his "pinks and stools."
He thought the rest would follow like a bunch of crazy fools.
But to his great surprise the "foreigners" were wise,
In one big solid union they were organized.
(LAST CHORUS:)
That's one time Golden did not
Make it right, all right;
In Spite of his schemes
The strikers won the fight.
When all the workers stand
United hand in hand,
The world with all its wealth
Will be at their command.
Notes:
1 - More information on the life and death of Joe Hill, from Wikipedia
2 - The 1912 Lawrence textile strike, from libcom.com and
Lawrence Strike of 1912 from the Women Working, 1800-1930 collection, Harvard University Library.
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