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"Oh Union," music inspired by Wisconsin Uprising

The following comes to us from Let It Slide, a New Jersey Americana band who were inspired by the new MR Press title Wisconsin Uprising: Labor Fights Back, edited by Michael D. Yates:

“Wisconsin reminds us what unions mean to the world. Left unchecked, power always corrupts, and when politicians and corporations join hands, the only defense for the people is the people. NYU Press, my favorite press [and distributor of MR Press], has a great tradition of publishing books that are progressive and speak for the people. Wisconsin Uprising, published by Monthly Review Press, has just done what was needed, which was publishing a book for the people’s movement. This is what I try to do. As a professor I try to educate my students and force them to use their brains. And in my other life as a musician I try to push myself to be political, progressive, and to make music that inspires. My band is Let it Slide, New Jersey’s most progressive hard rock band. In honor of Wisconsin Uprising, here is a free download of “Oh Union,” which is a tribute to our greatest defense against corruption, the Union. Inspired in part by recent events in Wisconsin, the song describes the world without Unions.”

“The speaker at the beginning of the song is César Chávez and I ask that we all listen close to what he has to say.”

lyrics

Oh Union

Oh union, oh union

They’ve come to burn my land

Oh union, oh union

They’ve come to burn my land

Just need a brother, just need a helping hand

Oh union, oh union

The grass turned to dirt

Oh union, oh union

The grass turned to dirt

Took away my belt, and now they’ve come for my shirt

Oh union, oh union

I’m down on my knees

Oh union, oh union

I’m down on my knees

Baby’s going hungry, wife died from disease

Oh union, oh union

Where did you go?

Oh union, oh union

Where did you go?

Lost my land in the rain, lost my farm in the snow

credits

from One Bad American, released 01 February 2012

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