There Is Power in a Union is a folk song originally written by labor activist and songwriter Joe Hill in 1913. John Darnielle uploaded a video of him performing the Billy Bragg version of the song on Vimeo in 2011 in support of labor unions in conflict with the Wisconsin government.
Lyrics[]
There is a power in a factory, there is power in the land There is power in the hand of the worker But it all amounts to nothing if together we don't stand Oh, there is power in a union Now the lessons of the past were all learned with workers' blood The mistakes of the bosses we must pay for From the cities and the farmlands, to the factories full of mud War has always been the bosses' way, sir The union forever, defending our rights Down with the blackleg, all workers unite With our brothers and our sisters from many far-off lands Oh, there is power in a union Now I long for the morning when they realize Brutality and unjust laws cannot defeat us But who'll defend the worker who cannot organize When the bosses send their lackeys, sir, to cheat us Money speaks for money, the devil for his own Who'll come to speak for the skin and the bone What a comfort to the widow, and a light to the child Oh, there is power in a union The union forever, defending our rights Down with the blackleg, all workers unite With our brothers and our sisters, together we all stand Oh, there is power in a union
Comments by John Darnielle About this Song[]
Things Referenced in this Song[]
unions
Live Shows this Song Was Played at[]
- 1998-05-15 - The Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL
- 2004-02-11 - Dennis Kucinich Headquarters - San Francisco, CA (partial)
- 2019-05-17 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
Videos of this Song[]