Which Side Are You On?
Florence Reece & The Almanac Singers Lyrics
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Good news to you I'll tell
Of how the good old union
Has come in here to dwell
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?Which side are you on?
My dady was a miner
And I'm a miner's son
And I'll stick with the union
'Til every battle's won
They say in Harlan County
There are no neutrals there
You'll either be a union man
Or a thug for J. H. Blair
Oh workers can you stand it?
Oh tell me how you can?
Will you be a lousy scab
Or will you be a man?
Don't scab for the bosses
Don't listen to their lies
Us poor folks haven't got a chance
Unless we organize
The song "Which Side Are You On?" by Florence Reece & The Almanac Singers is a powerful anthem that challenges listeners to choose a side and take action. The lyrics urge workers to join the union and fight against the oppressive forces of their bosses who exploit them. The song paints a stark contrast between the workers who stand together in solidarity and the scabs who betray their fellow workers by taking the bosses' side.
The opening lines of the song set the tone by declaring that the union has come to dwell among the workers. The chorus repeatedly asks the question "which side are you on?" to emphasize the importance of taking a stand. The next stanza draws from Florence Reece's personal experience as a miner's daughter and reinforces her commitment to the cause. The lines "And I'll stick with the union/Til every battle's won" create a sense of determination and perseverance.
The third stanza uses Harlan County, a region in Kentucky known for its coal mining, as an example of a place where there are no neutrals. The choice is binary: join the union or side with the corrupt mine owners represented by J. H. Blair. The final stanza is a call to action, urging workers not to scab and to organize because they are too weak to fight against the bosses' lies and deception alone. The song's lyrics are simple, but forceful and convey the urgency of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Come all you good workers
Attention, fellow laborers
Good news to you I'll tell
I have some important information to share
Of how the good old union
I will now discuss the benefits of being in a union
Has come in here to dwell
The union has established a presence in this area
Which side are you on?
Where do your allegiances lie?
Which side are you on?
Are you with the workers or with the employers?
Which side are you on?
Whose interests do you align with?
Which side are you on?
When push comes to shove, who will you support?
My daddy was a miner
I come from a family of laborers
And I'm a miner's son
I too have followed in my family's footsteps
And I'll stick with the union
I am committed to remaining a part of the union
'Til every battle's won
Until the union prevails in all its aims
They say in Harlan County
It is rumored in this location
There are no neutrals there
One cannot remain impartial
You'll either be a union man
You will either join the labor movement
Or a thug for J. H. Blair
Or you will aid the employers through violence and intimidation
Oh workers can you stand it?
Can you tolerate these conditions?
Oh tell me how you can?
How will you justify it?
Will you be a lousy scab
Will you betray your fellow workers?
Or will you be a man?
Or will you stand up for what is right?
Don't scab for the bosses
Do not work against your own interests
Don't listen to their lies
Do not be swayed by their false promises
Us poor folks haven't got a chance
Without unity, we are powerless
Unless we organize
We must unite and fight together
Contributed by Samuel P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@guillemcostaguillemcosta7802
[Verse 1]
Come all of you good workers
Good news to you I'll tell
Of how the good ol' union
Has come in here to dwell
[Chorus]
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
[Verse 2]
My daddy was a miner
And I'm a miner's son
And I'll stick with the union
'Til every battle's won
[Chorus]
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
[Verse 3]
They say in Harlan County
There are no neutrals there
You'll either be a union man
Or a thug for J. H. Blair
[Chorus]
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
[Verse 4]
Oh workers can you stand it?
Oh tell me how you can
Will you be a lousy scab
Or will you be a man?
[Chorus]
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
[Verse 5]
Don't scab for the bosses
Don't listen to their lies
Us poor folks haven't got a chance
Unless we organize
[Chorus]
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
@TheNegativeOptimist1
'I was dealing with some terrorists of my own.'
'My son.'
@neelbhatt6491
Succession brought me here, amazing song and show 😌👍🏼
@lavenderrose4962
the show tries to get us to sympathize with the worries and lives of the murderous bosses. it's beautifully written but unfortunately it's a tool of the oppressors.
@lindamoren5126
Same here! But the song is so actual, more than ever!
@joaquinwaters1810
@@lavenderrose4962 I wouldn’t say we’re only meant to sympathize with the Roys; we’re meant to laugh at them, be repulsed by them and feel sorry for them in equal measure. It paints the oppressors as real people—monstrous people to be sure, but still real—instead of evil caricatures, without absolving them of anything. They are horrible and the show knows it.
In my opinion, it’s modern Shakespearean tragicomedy at its finest.
@carlosdelavegaromeroymonte7865
Me too...
@bellabell6659
@@lavenderrose4962the whole show is about how pathetic they are and how even they have familial struggles and no amount of money is gonna change no one loving you
@yannr28
me walking to get groceries pretending i’m kendall roy
@hmldjr
These songs should be played on the radio every day! Long live the unions.
@BATTLEFIELD897
who owns the radio stations :p