Union Man

A short life of trouble
In a dark and dusty mine
Has been my occupation
Now I walk the picket line
I was there in Bloody Harlan
When we tried to organize
The miners faced starvation
You could see it in their eyes
The Company hired some gun thugs
Many miners died it's said
They come to kill the union
But they lost their lives instead
Which side are you on boys, which side are you on?
You're either for the rich man, or the union standing strong
I came to Ney York City
In the year of '43
We would fight hitler's armies
In the war across the sea
But they would not hire a miner
To do a workmans job
At 15 cents an hour
Your pockets they will rob
Which side are you on boys, which side are you on?
You're either for the rich man, or the union standing strong
I'll never trust a rich man
As long as i draw breath
To keep his marble mansion
He'll starve a child to death
And when my life is over
Don't mourn my passing long
Organize resistance
And keep the Union strong!
So here's to every miner
Who dared to take a stand
Who lived to feed his family
And died a Union man!