Tune: Where The River Shannon Flows by James I Russell, 1905; lyrics by Joe Hill, 1912; performed by John McCutcheon - From the album, Joe Hill's Last Will, 2015
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Lyrics:
Fellow workers pay attention to what I’m goin’ to mention
For it is the fixed intention of the Workers of the World.
And I hope you’ll all be ready, true-hearted, brave, and steady
To rally round the standard when 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 goin’ to find a way, boys, for shorter hours and better pay, boys.
And we’re goin’ to win the day, boys, where the Fraser River flows.
For these gunnysack 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’ll show no white feather where the Fraser River flows.
Where the Fraser River flows, each fellow worker knows,
They have bullied and oppressed us, but still our union grows.
And we’re goin’ to find a way, boys, for shorter hours and better pay, boys.
And we’re goin’ to win the day, boys, where the Fraser River flows.
Now, the boss the law is stretching; bulls and pimps, he’s a-fetching.
And they are a fine collection, as 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, each fellow worker knows,
They have bullied and oppressed us, but still our union grows.
And we’re goin’ to find a way, boys, for shorter hours and better pay, boys.
And we’re goin’ to win the day, boys, where the Fraser River flows.