Unionise
Redskins Lyrics
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Is hatred's all very well
But hatred must be organised
If dreams are to be realised
And anger is no substitute
For diciplined rebellion
To unionise is to organise
Fight back!
Unionise!
Stop! Strike!
Unionise!
Well all this talk of fighting back
Is talk to be ignored
If we don't know where our power lies
And utilize the tools we've got
The bosses have the money
And the workers have no rights
But our muscle is our labour
And we flex it when we go on strike
Unionise!
Fight back!
Unionise!
Stop! Strike!
Unionise!
We can talk of riots and petrol bombs
And revolutions all day long
But if we fail to organise
We'll waste our lives on protest songs
A life worth living is waiting to be won, sure
The day the bosses fall
The day the dream has come
But stop romanticising
Hollow talk is just a curse
The revolution won't appear
We all have to build for it first
Unionise!
Fight back!
Unionise!
Stop! Strike!
Unionise!
The lyrics of Redskins' song "Unionise" emphasize the importance of organized action and unity in order to fight against inequality and injustice. The song suggests that while hatred and anger may fuel the desire for change, they are not enough on their own. Instead, the lyrics argue that disciplined rebellion and the act of unionizing are essential for turning dreams into reality.
The song speaks to the power dynamics between bosses and workers, highlighting the money and privilege held by those in charge. However, it also highlights the strength that workers possess through their collective labor. The lyrics suggest that going on strike is a way for workers to flex their muscle and assert their rights. By standing together in solidarity, they can challenge the authority and restore balance.
The song also critiques the notion of simply talking about rebellion without taking concrete actions. It suggests that rioting, revolutions, and protest songs alone are not enough to bring about real change. Instead, the focus should be on organizing and building a movement that can effectively challenge the existing power structures. The lyrics emphasize that a life worth living and a true revolution can only be achieved through thoughtful organization and determination.
Overall, the message of "Unionise" encourages workers to come together, unite, and take action in order to fight back against oppression and create a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
The first thing that needs to be said
It is important to emphasize
Is hatred's all very well
While hatred may feel justified
But hatred must be organised
It is crucial to channel hatred effectively
If dreams are to be realised
In order to achieve our aspirations
And anger is no substitute
And anger alone cannot replace
For diciplined rebellion
Disciplined acts of defiance
To unionise is to organise
To unite and organize is vital
Unionise!
Come together!
Fight back!
Resist and retaliate!
Stop! Strike!
Cease all activities! Go on strike!
Well all this talk of fighting back
However, merely discussing resistance
Is talk to be ignored
Should be disregarded
If we don't know where our power lies
Unless we understand our sources of power
And utilize the tools we've got
And effectively utilize our available resources
The bosses have the money
Those in control possess the wealth
And the workers have no rights
While the workers lack rights
But our muscle is our labour
Yet, our strength lies in our collective labor
And we flex it when we go on strike
And we demonstrate its impact by striking
We can talk of riots and petrol bombs
We may discuss riots and violent acts
And revolutions all day long
And revolutions endlessly
But if we fail to organise
If we do not properly organize
We'll waste our lives on protest songs
We will spend our lives singing empty protest songs
A life worth living is waiting to be won, sure
A fulfilling life is within our grasp, indeed
The day the bosses fall
The day the control of the powerful is overthrown
The day the dream has come
The day our aspirations are fulfilled
But stop romanticising
However, do not idealize
Hollow talk is just a curse
Empty rhetoric is simply a burden
The revolution won't appear
The revolution will not occur spontaneously
We all have to build for it first
We must all actively work towards it
Unionise!
Come together!
Fight back!
Resist and retaliate!
Unionise!
Come together!
Stop! Strike!
Cease all activities! Go on strike!
Unionise!
Come together!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RaiseMoreHell
"If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will." —F. Douglass 1857
@maioio
Negu Gorriak homage!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-cxb5gsrXk
@dkopf
I have to ask: WTF is up with all this riot imagery? You are completely missing the point of the song: "We can talk about riots and petrol bombs and revolution all day long, but if we fail to organize we'll waste our lives on protest songs." Get in the workforce and get active.
@Tigerente0815
This one is better: http://tinyurl.com/jqurmva
@kittyfaria
Love this song. Great go work out to!
That said, the commie BS fo 80s England is cute but passé.
@exergue1315
“Separating the art from the artist” is already a risible idea, but I never imagined anyone would try to do it with a song about unionization. Is there an award for cognitive dissonance? If so, I nominate you.