Lyrics by BVOCAL! Boston Voices of Community and Labor, bvocalchorus.org
Use them to give you ideas for verses that apply to your own campaign.
ROLL THE UNION ON
By John Handcox, organizer for the Southern Tenant Farmers Union
Refrain: We’re gonna roll, we’re gonna roll, we’re gonna roll the union on. (2x)
We’re gonna roll it on until we win a raise that’s fair,
A raise that’s fair, a raise that’s fair.
We’re gonna roll it on until we win a raise that’s fair,
We’re gonna roll the union on.
We’re gonna roll it on until we win the health care we deserve, etc.
We’re gonna roll it on for worker rights, respect, and dignity, etc.
And if the boss/Trump is in the way we’re gonna roll right over him,
Gonna roll right over him, we’re gonna roll right over him.
If the boss is in the way we’re gonna roll right over him,
We’re gonna roll the union on.
RISE UP
By Charon Hribar and Jose Vasquez
Rise up we’re gonna rise up,
Rise up we’re gonna rise up.
We ain’t gonna let nobody turn us around,
Because the workers united will stand our ground.
We ain’t gonna let nobody turn us around,
Because the people united will stand our ground.
To earn what is right we don’t need a degree,
Because the power of the union is you and me.
Hey there [employer] show that you care.
We’re demanding respect and a contract that’s fair.
Every human deserves to be safe
In the land of the free and the home of the brave.
The military doesn’t belong in our streets,
We have the right to assemble and we won’t retreat.
We say no to ruling by fear,
Refugees and immigrants are welcome here.
It’s not enough to barely survive,
We believe in a world where everybody can thrive.
Corporate welfare’s got to go
No tax evasion, bring the revenue home.
We say no to hate and greed,
We say tax the rich and give to those in need.
Red, blue, young, old, white, or black
Together we’re gonna take our country back!
WHAT DO WE WANT RIGHT HERE TODAY
By Charon Hribar, Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice
What do we want right here today
Human rights for all
We'll march until we get our way
Human rights for all
What do we want? Human rights!
When do we want it? Now!
Workers rights across the land/What do we want? Workers rights!
Justice for our people/What do we want? Justice!
Housing we can all afford/What do we want? Affordable housing!
Public education/What do we want? Education!
SIN JUSTICIA, NO HAY PAZ (NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE)
By L. Gallatin
Sin justicia, no hay paz.
Sin derechos, no hay paz.
Sin contrato, no hay paz.
Sin respeto, no hay paz.
No justice, no rights, no contract, no respect…
AN INJURY TO ONE
By L. Gallatin
An injury to one is an injury to all.
Un daño contra uno es un daño contra todos
WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED/NO NOS MOVERAN
To the tune of We Shall Not Be Moved; based on the African-American spiritual “I Shall Not Be Moved”;
Refrain:
We shall not, we shall not be moved (2x)
Just like a tree that’s standing by the water, we shall not be moved.
No, no, no nos moveran (2x)
Como un arbol firme junto al rio, no nos moveran.
Standing strong for a contract, we shall not be moved (2x)
Just like a tree…
United ‘cross the [workplace], we shall not be moved (2x)
Unidos en la lucha, no nos moverán…
United in the struggle
Unidos ganaremos, no nos moverán…
United we will win
We’re standing strong in union,
We shall not be moved (2x)
They say we won’t appreciate
Insurance if it’s free.
But they just want to put the cost
On you and me.
WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON
By Florence Reese, daughter and wife of a coal miner; adapted by Ani DeFranco and L. Gallatin
Refrain:
Which side are you on now,
Which side are you on (4x).
Oh workers can you stand it,
They’re coming for our rights.
Don’t delay, sign up today
And join the union fight.
They swung a few elections
Last time anger spoke.
And now they’re gonna try to take
Away your right to vote.
Come all of you good people,
Don’t listen to their lies.
Tyranny will take control
Unless we organize.
KEEP IT MOVING
By L. Gallatin
I said keep it movin’, feel the heat,
Rockin’ to the rhythm as we take to the streets.
Keep it movin’, feel the heat,
Rockin’ to the rhythm as we take to the streets.
I said keep it movin’, now’s the time (3x)
Lives are on the line.
I said keep it movin’, right in time,
Rockin’ to the rhythm on the picket line.
I said keep it movin’, right in time,
Rockin’ to the rhythm on the picket line.
I said, What do we want? Contract now! (3x)
Fair contract now.
Stand up with federal workers, now’s the time,
We the people need the services that they provide.
Stand up with federal workers, now’s the time,
We the people need the services that they provide.
I said bring them back, now’s the time (3x)
Lives are on the line.
THIS LITTLE LIGHT
By Harry Dixon Loes
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine (3x)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Powered by our unity, I’m gonna let it shine…
Workers rights are human rights, I’m gonna let it shine…
[ ] is a union town…
In union we will light the way, I’m gonna let it shine…
Solidarity forever, I’m gonna let it shine…
WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN
Based on an African-American spiritual
Oh when the unions go marching in,
Oh when the unions go marching in,
Well, I want to be in that number
Oh when the unions go marching in.
When the people march on Labor Day…
Oh when the workers organize…
When the resistance sounds the call…
Oh when autocracy is beaten back…
Oh when democracy is restored…
When the labor movement leads the way…
