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War on the Workers
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This song was featured on Bill Moyers and is the theme of the Justice at Walmart campaign.
folk pittsburgh labor union activist agitator environmentalist jail for justice
Artist picture
hellraiser and union maid Anne Feeney is the best labor singer in North America according to Utah Phillips.
Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Anne Feeney is the granddaughter of an intrepid mineworkers' organizer, who also used music to carry the message of solidarity to working people. After two decades of community activism and regional performances at rallies, Anne took her message on the road. Since 1991 Anne has traveled to the frontlines in 40 states, Canada, Mexico, Ireland and Sweden. Her anthem “Have You Been to Jail for Justice?” is being performed by Peter, Paul and Mary. Dubbed the "minister of culture" to the movements for economic and social justice and human rights, Anne is "the best labor singer in North America" according to Utah Phillips.
Song Info
Genre
Acoustic • Acoustic Folk
Charts
Peak #52
Peak in subgenre #5
Author
Anne Feeney
Rights
Anne Feeney, BMI
Uploaded
April 09, 2004
Track Files
MP3
MP3 3.3 MB • 128 kbps • 0:00
Story behind the song
This song was featured on Bill Moyers and is the theme of the Justice at Walmart campaign. I wrote it during the Staley Strike in Decatur, IL in the early 90s. This recording features Jon Fromer, Janet Stecher and Susan Lewis on backup vocals and Charlie Chadwick on bass, Sam Bacco on percussion, and me and Mike McAdam on guitars. The two people named in the song died .... Jim Beals when he was ordered into a tank filled with poison gas, and Karen Silkwood when she tried to expose dangerous practices at her place of employment, Kerr-Magee.
Lyrics
Listen up,. we've got a war zone here today Right in our heartland, and across the USA These multinational bastards don't use tanks and guns it's true But they've declared a war on us, fight back! It's up to you There's a war on the workers There's a war on the workers There's a war on the workers And it's time we started calling the shots Going to work could be the death of you and me But we're not unarmed--Our weapon's solidarity Jim Beals and Karen Silkwood The list goes on and on With every year that passes 60,000 more are gone There's a war on the workers There's a war on the workers There's a war on the workers And it's time we started calling the shots When they boost your co-pay, (it's a war on the workers!) don't you know what to say - (it's a war on the workers!) When they talk privatization (it's a war on the workers!) and co-operation (it's a war on the workers!) They call it "flexibility" (it's a war on the workers!) But every working stiff can see (it's a war on the workers!) When they poison our water (it's a war on the workers!) We're like lambs at the slaughter (it's a war on the workers!) When they foul up the air (it's a war on the workers!) We've got to show that we care (it's a war on the workers!) Oh, it's a war on the workers-- It's a war on public education, It's a war on child labor protections, it's a war on the 8 hour day, it's a war on occupational health & safety, a war on social security -- Now thanks to WTO it's a world wide war -- There's a war on the workers There's a war on the workers There's a war on the workers And it's time we started calling the shots
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caseyrick1253
Apr 04, 2015
Wondering if it's possible to get the chords for this? Would enjoy adding to my repertoire... Rick Casey