Gee, I can't believe I found this, even though it was only 15 feet away from me.


REDNECK WAR
(Sandy Shortridge and Ron Short)

(First two verses spoken with music)
In nineteen hundred and twenty one,
The “Great War” was over; peace was won.
Time to celebrate freedom in our lives,
Unless you worked in the dark coalmines.

Union men shot down in the streets.
Children hungry with nothin’ to eat.
They’d work a man until he’d break,
Then stand and laugh right in his face.

The call went out, “Coalminers, unite,
Work together, organize!”
“Come to Logan County and take a stand,
Live free or die a Union man”!

We had to steal a train to catch a ride,
I carried a “mountain rifle” by my side.
Headed for Blair Mountain where we would fight,
To make things better in a miner’s life.

CHORUS:
We wore red bandannas tied around our throats,
“Redneck!” is what a reporter wrote.
We wore it with honor and respect,
Proud to be a coalminer and a, “Redneck”!

Them “company men” wore scarves of white,
But their hearts, were black as night.
Their pockets were lined with “Judas” pay.
Sent many a poor miner to an early grave.

Ten thousand coalminers or more,
Knocking on Heaven’s door.
But we knew Death, he ain’t hard to find.
We saw his face ever’ day in the dark coalmines.
CHORUS

I wore the same uniform that I wore before,
When I went off to fight in that “Great War”!
But a “rebel army”, is what Harding said,
So they dropped them bombs upon our head.

“Rebel army, hell!”
We were pore men with nothing, but our lives to sell.

(Spoken, with music behind)
Some went to Heaven, some went to Hell,
But I’m still here, this story to tell.
You won’t read about it in no history books.
You don’t believe me; take a look!

Now, I am old and I am gray,
They say a coalminer’s life is easier today.
Remember Blair Mountain, don’t ever forget,
Stand up proud, when they call you, “Redneck”!!

I wore a red bandanna tied around my throat
“Redneck” is what a reporter wrote.
I wore it with honor and respect
Proud to be a coalminer and a,” Redneck”!
Redneck,
Redneck,
Redneeeeeccck.


©2007 by Lonesome Records & Publishing, BMI