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JOE HILL
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,
Alive as you or me
Says I, "But Joe, you're ten years dead,"
"I never died," says he
"I never died," says he
"In Salt Lake, Joe," says I to him,
Him satnding by my bed,
"They framed you on a murder charge,"
Says Joe, "But I ain't dead,"
Says Joe, "But I ain't dead."
"The copper bosses killed you, Joe,
They shot you, Joe," says I.
"Takes more than guns to kill a man,"
Says Joe, "I didn't die,"
Says Joe, "I didn't die."
And standing there as big as life
And smiling with his eyes
Joe says, "What they forgot to kill
Went on to organize,
Went on to organize."
"Joe Hill ain't dead," he says to me,
"Joe Hill ain't never died.
Where working men are out on strike
Joe Hill is at their side,
Joe Hill is at their side."
"From San Diego up to Maine,
In every mine and mill,
Where workers strike and organize,"
Says he, "You'll find Joe Hill,"
Says he, "You'll find Joe Hill."
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,
Alive as you or me
Says I, "But Joe, you're ten years dead,"
"I never died," says he
"I never died," says he
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Music by Earl Robinson, copyright 1938 by Bob Miller, Inc.
Joe Hill, a great organizer and poet, was executed in 1915 on a
murder charge which union circles have always considered a frame-
up. This song, written in his memory, is one of the most moving
of all the labor songs.
Recorded by Paul Robeson, Baez- One Day at a Time
@union @work @IWW
filename[ JOEHILL
Tune file : JOEHILL
CLICK TO PLAY
DC
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Traditional Ballad Index Entry:
Joe Hill
DESCRIPTION: The singer "dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, Alive as you and me." He points out that Hill is dead. Hill replies, "I never died." The singer describes the details of Hill's death; Hill answers, "What they forgot to kill Went on to organize."
AUTHOR: Words: Alfred Hayes/Music: Earl Robinson
EARLIEST DATE: 1938 (music copyright; the words are older)
KEYWORDS: death dream labor-movement lastwill
HISTORICAL REFERENCES:
1915 - Execution of Joe Hill on a faked murder charge. His only actual crime was being an effective supporter of unions
FOUND IN:
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Arnett, p. 175, "Joe Hill" (1 text, 1 tune)
DT, JOEHILL
RECORDINGS:
Pete Seeger, "Joe Hill" (on PeteSeeger39) (on PeteSeeger48)
Notes: Joe Hill was executed on a faked murder charge (his only actual crime was being an effective supporter of unions). The date is variously listed; Joe Hickerson reports November 18, 1915, while Greenway offers November 15, 1919. I have seen the 1915 date elsewhere, but I have not been able to verify it absolutely. - RBW
File: Arn175Go to the Ballad Search form
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