Thanks to you all on this thread over the years, especially Bennet Zurofsky for the lyric closest to what I remember from hearing a recording of Aunt Molly Jackson singing her earlier version.

There was a verse, I believe, something like:

My husband asked the boss for a job
These were the words he said:
"Bill Jackson, I can't work you sir,
"Your wife's a Russian (Rooshin) Red."

And the repeating chorus was:

Join the NMU.
Come and join the NMU

Also, the last verse as I remember it was stronger:

The bosses ride the big fine white horse
While we step in the mud.
Their flag's the old Red White and Blue
And ours is dipped in blood.

Has anyone a complete transcription of these early lyrics?
I wonder what I may have misremembered or forgotten.


Thanks,

Rick
ricklee@pobox.com

..........

Subject: Lyr Add: I AM A UNION WOMAN
From: Bennet Zurofsky
Date: 28 Aug 02 - 11:50 PM

Aunt Molly Jackson, who was, I believe Florence Reese's sister-in-law (?), had her own radical song to the same tune. Its title is "I AM A UNION WOMAN":

I am a union woman
Just as Brave as I can be
I do not like the bosses
And the bosses don't like me.

Join the CIO, Join the CIO

I was raised in Old Kentucky
Kentucky born and bred,
But when I joined the union,
They called me a Russian Red.

Join the CIO...

This is the worst time on earth
That I have ever saw,
To get killed out by gun thugs
And framed up by the law.

Join the CIO...

If you want to join a union,
As strong as one can be
Join the dear old CIO
And come along with me.

Join the CIO...

We are many thousand strong,
And I am glad to say
We are getting stronger
And stronger every day.

Join the CIO...

The bosses ride fine horses
While we walk in the mud,
Their banner is the dollar sign,
Ours is striped with blood.

Join the CIO...