THE DUNNE’S STORE STRIKE

Written by Sandra Kerr
Performed by:
- Sandra Kerr on Yellow, Red and Gold;
- Rebel Voices on Warning: Women at Work (American duo, my favourite version)
Christy Moore    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TER_M3KNVCE

"On 18 July 1984, Mary Manning, a shop worker in the Henry Street, Dublin (Ireland) outlet of Dunnes Stores, refused to handle the sale of grapefruit from South Africa."

More details about the Strike here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunnes_Stores_strike

https://www.historyworkshop.org.uk/anti-apartheid-in-ireland-the-dunnes-stores-strike-1984-87/

It was in the month of sweet July in 1984
The scene was set in Dublin, in Dunne's Department Store
The supermarket's busy, the registers make a din
The groceries go rolling out, the cash comes rolling in!

Mary manning was sitting at the till not thinking any harm
When a customer comes up to her with a basket on her arm
The content of that basket, Mary's destiny will shape
For it bears the dreaded label: Produce of The Cape

"Oh I can't check out your oranges missus, won't you take them back,
For they come from South Africa where white oppresses black,
Our Union says don't handle them it's the least that we can do,
You'll know what opression is if you are Irish too"

For I'd have it on me conscience and I couldn't sleep at night
If I helped support a system that denied to blacks their rights"
The managers were called, the ones that wear the suits
And Mary was suspended 'cause she wouldn't touch the fruits

But her friends were all behind her and the union gave support
They struck, they picketed the boss was overwrought
He said "I'll not be dictated to on what is bought and sold!
These women are only workers they should do as they are told"

"That's typical", said the strikers, "of apartheid's cruel law,
It's not just in South Africa where rich oppresses poor.
Ben Dunne won't have a boycott, he'd sooner have the curse.
He couldn't care less how he fills his shelves as long as he lines his purse"

Now Clery's in O'Connell Street they won't sell racist shoes
Best Man returned their clothes and Roches sent back all their booze
"'Til all South African goods are taken off the shelves at Dunne's,
You'll find us down in Henry Street, sticking to our guns!"

"Apartheid", said the strikers, "is the law of slavery,
A cruel and immoral crime against humanity.
We've learnt about our system too and now we know the score
If we go back we'll never take the sh*t we took before"

The praises they came rolling in from all around the world
For such concern and sacrifice and courage brave and bold
When 14 months were over 10 women and a man
Had changed the minds and consciences and hearts of Ireland

MUDCAT:Lyr Add: Dunne's Store Strike (Sandra Kerr)/mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=170216&messages=4