Lyr Req: There Once Was a Union Boss (Red Wing)

Subject: Lyr Req: There once was a union boss (Redwing)
From: Marion
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 11:52 PM

Hi all. I'm looking for a this song which presumably is a parody of "There Once Was a Union Maid" to the tune of Redwing.

It talks about a corrupt union leader who vows that he's sticking to the union till the day he dies.

Thanks, Marion

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: There once was a union boss (Redwing)
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 05 Aug 03 - 11:09 PM

The song is by Ray Hull of Vancouver, BC who died c. 1965. I'll post the words in a day or so (I'm on the road).

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: There once was a union boss (Redwing)
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 02:08 AM

Seems to me it might be "I'm sticking it to the union." Looking forward to seeing this one, Jon.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: There once was a union boss (Redwing)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 03 - 01:43 AM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: There once was a union boss (Redwing)
From:
Date: 14 Sep 03 - 10:19 AM

Is there any recordings available of "Redwing"?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: There once was a union boss (Redwing)
From: Willie-O
Date: 14 Sep 03 - 12:29 PM

I heard the great wonderful Jackie Washington sing this at Stewart Park Fest in July. He said he sang it at the 100th anniversary party for the Hamilton ON AFM local -- didnt mention the reaction he got!

I don't think Jackie's recorded it though.

How's the trip going Marion?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: There once was a union boss (Redwing)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 14 Sep 03 - 01:44 PM

Speaking of parodies, my wife insists there is a bawdy parody that goes:

"There once was a union maid
Who never could get laid..."

And probably also contains the lines:

"There's no fornicating in the union,
In the union, in the union..."

Why someone would make such an accusation is beyond me, but if anyone can come up with the lyrics, I will pass them along.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: There once was a union boss (Redwing)
From: Marion
Date: 15 Sep 03 - 12:12 AM

That's where I heard it too, Willie-O.

King814, are you looking for a recording of the version I asked about, or the more common "Union Maid" parody, or the fiddle tune?

Marion

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: There once was a union boss (Redwing)
From: GUEST,Old Retired Guy With Guitar
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 05:24 PM

Where are the lyrics 'posted'?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: There once was a union boss (Redwing)
From: Peace
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 05:33 PM

What lyrics?

Subject: Lyr Add: STICKING UP THE UNION
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 06:00 PM

Aagh! I promised the words five years ago. Here they are:

STICKING UP THE UNION

1. There once was a union boss who never was at a loss
For a bribe to take or a strike to break or a local to double-cross.
On women cigars and booze, he squandered the members dues -
At convention time he was asked to resign, but he answered, "I refuse.

Chorus 1
"Oh you can't fire me, I'm sticking to the union,
I'm clinging to the union, I'll never leave the union,
Oh no, you can't fire me, I'm holding up the union,
Sticking up the union till the day I die.

2. "My contract contains a clause that you can't fire me without cause
And isn't it a pity that the Cause Committee is my two brother-in-laws?
So comrades, all I say, you can't scare me away -
Like a corn on your feet , like a boil on your seat,
I'm here and here to stay.

Chorus 2
I shall not I shall not be moved,
I shall not I shall not be moved -
Oh you can't move me, I'm sticking to the union,
I'm clinging to the union, I'll never leave the union,
Oh no you can't move me, I'm holding up the union,
Sticking up the union till the day I die.

3. So to get him out of the way they gave him a raise in pay
And agreed to fly him off to Hawaii for a permanent holiday
Now he lives a life of sin on wahines and aspirin (pron: wa-heens)
He lies on the beach with a bottle in reach just watching the money roll in.

Chorus 3
That land is your land, this land is my land
You're sweating on the mainland, I'm loafing on the island -
That's why I'm sticking, sticking, sticking to the union
Clinging to the union, I'll never leave the union
And I'll be holding,, holding, holding up the union
Sticking up the union till the day I die.

The added bits on the chorus are of course to be sung to their own tunes.
Words, Ray Hull, c.1965, Vancouver BC

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: There once was a union boss (Redwing)
From: Peace
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 06:02 PM

YEA, Jon.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: There once was a union boss (Redwing)
From: Peace
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 06:07 PM

CLONES: Jon's post just above is a

LYRIC ADD.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: There once was a union boss (Redwing)
From: Joe_F
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 08:44 PM

Antiquarians might add, from The Bosses Song Book:

There once was a union maid
Who always was afraid
Of socialists and anarchists
And the games that the C.P. fractions played.
She read the New York Post,
Thought Dubinsky was the most.
She fought the left
Till she was out of breath,
And this is what she'd say:

Oh you've got me scared, I'm sticking to the union
And Harry Truman,
As close as glue, man.
Oh you've got me scared, I'm sticking to the union,
I'm sticking to the union
Till the day I die.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: There once was a union boss (Redwing)
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 10:28 PM

UNION MAID (NEVER GET ME IN A UNION)
(Dick Greenhaus, ca 1950)

There once was a union maid, who never was afraid
To join in song with a noisy throng
Who'd pick their banjos all night long
They'd try with all their might to steer the workers right
They'd organize, ad nauseum, whoever came in sight.
They'd sing...

cho: You'll never get me in a union. We just love unions,
There's nothin' like a union.
But you will never get me in a union, 'cause
To join a union, you have to work.

This dedicated gang could always get a bang
From following the Party line
And calling bosses, "Fascist swine!"
They'll holler all night long,
"Let's keep the union strong!"
As long as Daddy's dough holds out, you'll always hear them shout:

Now, gals who want to be free, just take a tip from me
Get you a banjo, learn two chords
Then go insult the bourgeoisie
Praise unions to the skies
Sneer at all bosses' lies
And then at parties, dances too, you scab on 802*

note: Local 802, American Federation of Musicians, was the union that once
picketed the New York May Day parade for using non-union musicians. RG
@parody @union @political
filename[ UNIONMD2
TUNE FILE: REDWNG
CLICK TO PLAY
RG