Classic Poem

Come all my friends if you want to know
And I'll tell you about the C.I.O.
I may be wrong, but I think I'm right;
I'll tell you about the Ashland strike.

Standing in the line, from sun to sun,
Look out, yellow dog! you better run.
There ain't no use, me working so hard,
I can live a lot easier, since I signed that card.

If it takes my last dollar, I'm gonna pay my dues,
For lordy, lordy, I've got them picket line blues.

I was standing in the line, wasn't doin' no harm,
Up come the sheriff and he took me by the arm.
They arrested thirty two but didn't put 'em in jail,
There was men right there for to go their bail.

They arrested George Powers on a felony charge,
Tried to put him in jail for sending postcards.
Well, they took them up to the trial, but it wasn't any use
For Judge Watt Prichard had to turn them loose.

We had a good lawyer; it was John Y. Brown,
We made E. Poe Harris want to leave town.
If it takes my last dollar, I'm gonna pay my dues,
For lordy, lordy, I got them picket line blues.

I drink my coffee from an old tin can
I belong to the Union, I can take it like a man.
Houlahan told the sheriff, says, “They think I can't,
But I can get enough yellow dogs to run my plant.”

I don't give a darn if the sun don't shine,
You ain't got enough yellow dogs to break our line.
He went and got the sheriff and they made a lot of noise,
But they couldn't get by these tannery boys.

I don't have to take the word of any darn man,
For I was standin' right there with a club in my hand.
Mr. Friedman says, “Powers, I'm getting mighty tired,
I've just about decided for to move my yard.”

Well it makes no difference wherever you go,
You can't get away from that C.I.O.
They're not living up to the C.I.O.
They're holdin' new men and lettin' old ones go.

They say they won't sign, but I think they will,
For they can't get around that Wagner Bill.
I ain't got no job and I don't want none,
But I'll have to go to work when John L. comes.

Well, I don't mind to work but it's pretty darn bad
To belong to a Union and have to work with a scab.
But the worst thing I find about standin' in line,
I don't get much smokin' and darn little shine.

I ain't got to worry; sleep good at night,
I know the C.I.O. is goin' to treat me right.
If it takes my last dollar, I'm gonna pay my dues,
For lordy, lordy, I've got them picket line blues.