Tune: Portland County Jail, attribution missing; new union lyrics by unknown, ca 1917; performed by Joe Glazer - From the album, I Will Win: Songs of the Wobblies, 1977
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Lyrics:
Fifty thousand lumberjacks; fifty thousand packs;
Fifty thousand dirty rolls of blankets on their backs;
Fifty thousand minds made up to strike and strike like men:
For fifty years, they’ve “packed” a bed but never will again.
“Such a lot of devils!” That’s what the papers say.
“They’ve gone on strike for shorter hours and some increase in pay.
They’ve left the camps, the lazy tramps; they’ve all walked out as one;
They’ve said they’ll win the strike or put the bosses on the bum.”
Fifty thousand wooden bunks full of things that crawl;
Fifty thousand restless men have left them once for all.
One by one, they dared not say, “Fat, the hours are long.”
If they did, they’d hike, but now they’re fifty thousand strong.
“Such a lot of devils!” That’s what the papers say.
“They’ve gone on strike for shorter hours and some increase in pay.
They’ve left the camps, the lazy tramps; they’ve all walked out as one;
They’ve said they’ll win the strike or put the bosses on the bum.”
Fatty Rich, we know your game, know your pride is pricked.
Say, but why not be a man and own when you are licked?
They’ve joined the One Big Union. Gee, for goodness’ sake, get wise!
The more you try to buck them now, the more they’ll organize.
“Such a lot of devils!” That’s what the papers say.
“They’ve gone on strike for shorter hours and some increase in pay.
They’ve left the camps, the lazy tramps; they’ve all walked out as one;
They’ve said they’ll win the strike or put the bosses on the bum.”
Take a tip and start right in: plan some cozy rooms;
Six or eight spring beds in each with towels, sheets and brooms;
Shower baths for men who work keeps them well and fit;
A laundry, too, and drying room would help a little bit.
“Such a lot of devils!” That’s what the papers say.
“They’ve gone on strike for shorter hours and some increase in pay.
They’ve left the camps, the lazy tramps; they’ve all walked out as one;
They’ve said they’ll win the strike or put the bosses on the bum.”
Get some dishes, white and clean; good, pure food to eat;
See that cook has help enough to keep the table neat;
Tap the bell for eight hours; treat the boys like men;
And fifty thousand lumberjacks may come to work again.
“Such a lot of devils!” That’s what the papers say.
“They’ve gone on strike for shorter hours and some increase in pay.
They’ve left the camps, the lazy tramps; they’ve all walked out as one;
They’ve said they’ll win the strike or put the bosses on the bum.”
Men who work should be well paid: “A man’s a man for a’ that.”
Many a man has a home to keep same as yourself, Old Fat.
Mothers, sisters, sweethearts, wives, children, too, galore
Stand behind the men to win this bread and butter war.
“Such a lot of devils!” That’s what the papers say.
“They’ve gone on strike for shorter hours and some increase in pay.
They’ve left the camps, the lazy tramps; they’ve all walked out as one;
They’ve said they’ll win the strike or put the bosses on the bum.
They’ve said they’ll win the strike or put the bosses on the bum.”