The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #9927   Message #2479649
Posted By: Joe Offer
30-Oct-08 - 03:44 AM
Thread Name: ID Song: I Went down to the rich man's house
Subject: ADD: The Rich Man's House
Gee, I wish we had noticed this post years ago, when it was originally posted. Didn't find the songwriter yet, but I found one version at http://juliusspeaks.blogspot.com/2007/03/rich-mans-house.html.

THE RICH MAN'S HOUSE
Traditional Labor Movement Song

Well I went down to the rich man's house and I took back
what he stole from me
took it back
took back my dignity
took it back
took back my humanity
well I went down to the rich man's house and I took back
what he stole from me
took it back
took back my dignity
took it back
took back my humanity
Now he's under my feet, under my feet, under my feet
Ain't gonna let the system walk all over me!

Well I, went down to the Landlord's house and I took back
what he stole from me
took it back
took back my dignity
took it back
took back my humanity
Well I, went down to the landlord's house and I took back
what he stole from me
took it back
took back my dignity
took it back
took back my humanity
Now he's under my feet, under my feet, under my feet
Ain't gonna let the system walk all over me!

Well I, went down to the Welfare Office I took back
what it stole from me
took it back
took back my dignity
took it back
took back my humanity
well I, went down to the welfare office I took back
what it stole from me
took it back
took back my dignity
took it back
took back my humanity
Now it's under my feet, under my feet, under my feet
Ain't gonna let the system walk all over me!

Well I, went down to the Governor's house and I took back
what he stole from me
took it back
took back my dignity
took it back
took back my humanity
well I, went down to the governor's house and I took back
what he stole from me
took it back
took back my dignity
took it back
took back my humanity
Now he's under my feet, under my feet, under my feet
Ain't gonna let the system walk all over me!


Recording by the Kensington Welfare Rights Union here (click)

Anne Feeney also apparently had something to do with the writing of this song.