Woody Guthrie wrote this classic in 1940 to stiffen the spines of union men and women. A nice piece of writing, very singable even today. Enjoy this pickin’-and-singin’ version of “Union Maid” by Arlo Guthrie (Woody’s son) and Pete Seeger.
Opening lyrics:
There once was a union maid
Who never was afraid
Of the goons and the ginks
And the company finks
And the deputy sheriffs that made the raids.
She went to the union hall
When a meeting it was called
And when the company boys came around
She always stood her ground.
Oh you can’t scare me, I’m sticking to the union.
What an ear Guthrie had — “the goons and the ginks and the company finks”. Back then, those words had meanings. Look up “fink” sometime.
There’s more than one “union” this applies to. The union of progressives to “Stop Chained CPI” is another. Which reminds me: Senate phone numbers here. House phone numbers here. Call on Monday; switchboards are definitely open.
GP
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