Joe Hill
Scott Walker Lyrics


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I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night
Alive as you or me
Says I, "But Joe, you're ten years dead"
"I never died", said he
"I never died", said he

"The copper bosses killed you, Joe
They shot you Joe", said I
"Takes more than guns to kill a man"
Says Joe, "I did not die"
Says Joe, "I did not die"

Standing there as big as life
And a-smiling with his eyes
Says Joe, "What they can never kill
Went on to organize
Went on to organize."

"From San Diego up to Maine,
In every mine an' mill
Where working men defend their rights,"
It say, "You'll find Joe Hill
It's there you'll find Joe Hill




It's there you'll find Joe
Joe Hill, Joe Hill"

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Scott Walker's song Joe Hill seem to be a conversation between the singer and the ghost of Joe Hill, the American labor activist and songwriter who was executed by a firing squad in 1915. The singer dreams he sees Joe Hill alive and well, but is puzzled by the fact that he has been dead for ten years. However, Joe tells him he never died and explains that he is still alive in the hearts and minds of those who fight for workers' rights. He declares that "what they can never kill went on to organize," which suggests that the legacy of his work and ideas has lived on long after his death.


Joe Hill then talks about the widespread influence of his message, mentioning that his spirit can be found "from San Diego up to Maine" in all the places where working people are defending their rights. The song ends with a powerful repetition of his name, emphasizing that Joe Hill's memory and influence live on as a symbol of labor activism and the fight for social justice.


Line by Line Meaning

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night
The singer recounts a dream about meeting Joe Hill


Alive as you or me
In the dream, Joe Hill appears alive and well


Says I, "But Joe, you're ten years dead"
The singer recalls informing Joe Hill that he has been dead for a decade


"I never died", said he
In the dream, Joe Hill claims that he never died


"The copper bosses killed you, Joe They shot you Joe", said I
The singer reminds Joe Hill of his assassination by copper bosses


"Takes more than guns to kill a man" Says Joe, "I did not die"
Joe Hill claims that his death by gun did not kill him entirely


Standing there as big as life And a-smiling with his eyes
In the dream, Joe Hill is depicted as confident and happy


"What they can never kill Went on to organize
Joe Hill appears to suggest that his spirit lives on in the labor movement


From San Diego up to Maine In every mine an' mill Where working men defend their rights
Joe Hill's influence is felt across the country where working people fight for their rights


It say, "You'll find Joe Hill
Joe Hill is remembered and celebrated in these struggles


It's there you'll find Joe Hill It's there you'll find Joe Joe Hill, Joe Hill"
The song concludes with a repetition of Joe Hill's name as a tribute to his legacy




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