The Pig-Iron Song, a song by Clem Parkinson ©1964

aka Pig Iron Bob on MUA Centenary CD "With These Arms"

    Did you ever stop to wonder why the fellows on the job
    Refer to Robert Menzies by the nickname Pig-Iron Bob?
    It's a fascinating tale though it happened long ago
    It's a part of our tradition every worker ought to know

    Chorus
    We wouldn't load pig-iron for the fascists of Japan
    Despite intimidation we refused to lift the ban
    With democracy at stake the struggle must be won
    We had to beat the menace of the fascist Rising Sun

    It was 1937 and aggressive Japanese
    Attacked the Chinese people tried to bring them to their knees
    Poorly armed and ill equipped the peasants bravely fought
    While Australian water siders rallied round to lend support

    Attorney General Menzies said the ship would have to sail
    "If the men refuse to load it we will throw them into jail"
    But our unity was strong - we were solid to a man
    And we wouldn't load pig-iron for the fascists of Japan

    For the Judas politicians we would pay a heavy price
    The jungles of New Guinea saw a costly sacrifice
    There's a lesson to be learned that we've got to understand
    Peace can only be secured when the people lend a hand

Notes

Many thanks to Clem Parkinson for permission to add this song to the Union Songs collection. Clem sings the song on the MUA Centenary CD "With These Arms"

Audio