How's this?

Gone are the days when the master class would say
"We'll work you long hours for very little pay -
We'll work you all day and half the night as well,"
But I hear the workers' voices saying, "You will, like hell."

We're going, we're going to take an eight-hour day -
We surely will surprise the boss some First of May.

Richard Brazier, to the tune of "Old Black Joe"

Jon Bartlett