Which Side Are You On?
Natalie Merchant 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 boys?
Which side are you on?
My daddy was a miner
He's now in the air and sun
He'll be with you fellow workers
Until the battle's won
Which side are you on boys?
Which side are you on?
They say in Harlan County
There are no neutrals there
You'll either be a union man
or a thug for J.H. Claire
Which side are you on boys?
Which side are you on?
Workers can you stand it?
Oh, tell me how you can
Will you be a lousy scab
or will you be a man?
Which side are you on boys?
Which side are you on?
Don't scab for the bosses
Don't listen to their liesPoor folks ain't got a chance
Unless they organize
Which side are you on boys?
Which side are you on?
The lyrics of "Which Side Are You On?" by Natalie Merchant are politically charged and call for solidarity among workers. The opening verse is a rallying cry for the good workers, stating that the union has come to dwell among them. The listener is then asked which side they are on, implying that they must choose to stand with the workers or with the bosses.
The second verse gives the song a personal touch, with the mention of the singer's father who was a miner. His memory is invoked as a symbol of those who have sacrificed for the labor movement and will continue to do so until the battle is won. The third verse specifically refers to Harlan County, Kentucky, where labor struggles were particularly intense during the early 20th century. The region was rife with violence and intimidation from both union supporters and company-backed thugs. The choice between union and thug is presented as a stark one.
The following verses call out scabs (workers who cross a picket line during a strike) as traitors to their fellow workers and the need for organizing among the poor and working-class people. The song's message is clear: it is the duty of workers to stand together in solidarity and support one another in the fight against the bosses.
Line by Line Meaning
Come all you good workers
This song is meant for all the hardworking people out there.
Good news to you I'll tell
The good news is that the union has arrived to make things fair for the workers.
Of how the good old union
The union referred to is the worker's union.
Has come in here to dwell
The union is here to stay with the workers.
Which side are you on boys?
Whose team are you on? The workers or the bosses?
Which side are you on?
Whose side will you choose?
My daddy was a miner
The singer's father was a miner.
He's now in the air and sun
He has passed away and is at peace.
He'll be with you fellow workers
The singer's father supports the worker's cause and will continue to be with them.
Until the battle's won
Until the workers have achieved their goals.
They say in Harlan County
Harlan County is known for its worker's struggles.
There are no neutrals there
In Harlan County, you either support the workers or you don't.
You'll either be a union man
You can choose to support the worker's union.
or a thug for J.H. Claire
Or you can support the boss and be a thug for J.H. Claire.
Workers can you stand it?
Can the workers bear with the unfair work conditions?
Oh, tell me how you can
How can you endure the mistreatments?
Will you be a lousy scab
Will you betray your fellow workers by taking the boss's side?
or will you be a man?
Or will you be brave enough to stand up for worker's rights?
Don't scab for the bosses
Don't betray your fellow workers by taking the boss's side.
Don't listen to their lies
The bosses' promises have no truth to them.
Poor folks ain't got a chance
Without the union's support, the workers have no power.
Unless they organize
The worker's only chance of change is by organizing themselves.
Which side are you on boys?
Whose team are you on? The workers or the bosses?
Which side are you on?
Whose side will you choose?
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Florence Reece
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind