HOLD THE FORT
(words by British Transport Workers Union)

We meet today in freedom's cause and raise our voices high;
We'll join our hands in union strong to battle or to die.

CHORUS
Hold the fort for we are coming, Unionists be strong.
Side by side we battle onward, victory will come.

Look my comrades, see the union banners waving high.
Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.

See our numbers still increasing; hear the bugles blow.
By our union we shall triumph over every foe.

Fierce and long the battle rages, but we will not fear,
Help will come whene'er it's needed, cheer, my comrades, cheer.


About 1870 "Hold the Fort" was written by Bliss as a U.S. gospel song. Based on an incident in the U.S. Civil War. It was made into a labor song by the Knights of Labor {the Knights advocated an alliance of producer and consumer cooperatives as an alternative to industrial capitalism.) The song was cast into its present form by the British Transport Workers about 1890.



Source: The Little Red Songbook 36th Edition, 1995, published by the Industrial Workers of the World, Ypsilanti, Michigan. (page 92)

First published in the 8th edition, 1914

I think these lyrics are exactly the same lyrics that are in the Digital Tradition.