The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #83602   Message #1537949
Posted By: Herga Kitty
08-Aug-05 - 05:32 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req/Add: Union Banners (John Warner)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Union Banners (John Warner)
BRING OUT THE BANNERS (John Warner 14/6/97)
^^
(Tune: Oxford or See Amid The Winter's Snow, John Goss 1800-1880)

In faded photo, like a dream,
A locomotive under steam
Rolls with the ranks of marching feet
And union banners on the street.

Ch/ Bring out the banners once again,
    You union women, union men,
    That all around may plainly see
    The power of our unity.

I've seen those banners richly made
With symbols fair of craft and trade,
The unions' names in red and gold,
Their aspirations printed bold.

Boilermakers, smiths and cooks,
Stevedores with cargo hooks,
Declare their union strong and proud,
Rank on rank before the crowd.

They won their eight-hour working day,
They won our right to honest pay,
Victorious their banners shone,
How dare we lose what they have won?

Today, when those who rule divide,
We must be standing side by side,
Our rights were bought with tears and pain,
Bring out the banners once again.