VOICES OF STRUGGLE
Rick Fielding

In France La Marseilles is sung in memory of a time
When a starving people rose as one to hold a blood-soaked line.
The Scottish clans were massacred, but still the pipers play;
Kevin Barry died for Ireland, but his song is sung today.

In the mines of Harlan County, 'fore the union fight was won,
We heard the voice of Florence Reese ask, "Which side are you on?"
In the cities, angry workers held a Wobbly standard high,
In the streets they marched to Joe Hill's songs. A singing battle-cry.

   Voices of struggle must be heard once again.
   Voices together, every woman, child and man.
   Your fight is my fight; together we are strong.
   Voices of struggle shout the power of song.

In Chile, while we watched a country's hopes come and gone,
The army crushed a people, but they could not crush the song.
Victor Jara's tortured body will not suffer anymore.
Though dead, his spirit rises with a mighty freedom roar.

And in my time I've seen the dogs and the hate of the hooded Klan,
The murder of a preacher and the rape of Vietnam.
But those who died for freedom gave us strength to carry on
And courage when all hope was gone from "We Shall Overcome."

   Voices of struggle....

The voice of women marching shook the old ways once again,
With sisterhood, not guns, to seek equality with men.
So many years, so many tears, and still we fight the lie.
No victory is at hand with "Bread and Roses" still the cry.

Now once again the madness screams from every tabloid's page,
When horror burns through TV screens and numbness turns to rage.
Til death-machines and crimes against humanity have ceased,
Wherever people gather, we must raise out voice for peace.

    Voices of struggle...

---

If no one minds, I'll add the chords down here before someone asks. From the notes to the song on Rick Fielding's CD Lifeline:

     Em               G              D           Am
  In France La Marseilles is sung in memory of a time
        C                Em             D
  When a starving people rose as one to hold a blood-soaked line.
      Em                  G              D
  The Scottish clans were massacred, but still the pipers play;
        C              G                Am              D
  Kevin Barry died for Ireland, but his song is sung today.
  
  G         D                G     D    G
  Voices of struggle must be heard once again.
           G             A                D
  Voices together, every woman, child and man.
  G             D            G            Em
  Your fight is my fight; together we are strong.
  Am Bm     G                  D        G
  Voices of struggle shout the power of song.
  

(Rick, let me know if I need to fix anything. --Jeri)