Lyr Req: Which Side Are You On -- topical lyrics

Subject: Lyr Req: Which Side Are You On -- topical lyrics
From: Etan
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 12:54 PM

I've done some banjo playing and singing (shouting?) at Occupy Wall Street this past weekend. I've updated topical lyrics for White House Blues (ask and I'll post them) but I'm stuck for updated lyrics for Which Side Are You On. Do we have a radical lefty lyricist out there who can express our situation as it is right now? Can anyone help?

BTW: If there are any other banjo players out there who play this song, what tuning/chords do you use when playing with a guitar or mandolin player who has basic skills.

Thanks much.

-- Etan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Which Side Are You On -- topical lyrics
From: Mark Ross
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 01:02 PM

I do it in dropped C tuning; gCGBD, in the key of C minor. The guitar should be capoed up 3 frets and played in A minor position.

Am                                     G                        Am
Which Side are you on? Which side are you on?

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Which Side Are You On -- topical lyrics
From: GUEST,999
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 01:02 PM

"Which Side Are You On?" is a song written by Florence Reece in 1931. 'She was the wife of a union organizer for the United Mine Workers in Harlan County, Kentucky. In 1931, the miners of that region were locked in a bitter and violent struggle with the mine owners. In an attempt to intimidate the Reece family, deputies hired by the mining company illegally entered and searched the Reece family home. Sam Reece had been warned in advance and escaped, but Florence and their children were terrorized in his place. That night, after the men had gone, Florence wrote the lyrics to "Which Side Are You On?" on a calendar that hung in the kitchen of her home. She took the melody from a traditional Baptist hymn, "Lay the Lily Low", or the traditional ballad "Jack Munro". Florence recorded the song and it can be heard on the CD Coal Mining Women.
Reece supported a second wave of miner strikes circa 1973, as recounted in the documentary Harlan County USA. She and others perform "Which Side Are You On?" a number of times throughout.'



ETAN: How soon do you need lyrics?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Which Side Are You On -- topical lyrics
From: GUEST,999
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 01:04 PM

Mark,

Bruce here.

E-mail me and we'll pop some lyrics together, OK?

I'll use 'em again in Montreal mid October.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Which Side Are You On -- topical lyrics
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 01:51 PM

Don't forget the Bosses' Songbook version [Dave van Ronk et al]

My father is a member
Of the bourgeoisie
But I will shout for freedom
While he's supporting me
   He's a bourgeois slob
   But I ain't got a job

~M~

unworthy but amusing?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Which Side Are You On -- topical lyrics
From: GUEST,999
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 02:38 PM

You sure got some piss and vinegar in you today, MtheGM. LOL

Subject: Lyr Add: WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON? (new version)
From: Mark Ross
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 03:38 PM

Bruce Murdoch and I put this together this morning via e-mail.


WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?

There's a place in New York City
Where the money goes around
For the 99ers in the street
None of that will trickle down

CHORUS: Which side are you on? (2X)

We came here for liberty
To change a damned disgrace
Walked across the Brooklyn Bridge
Got night sticks in our face

The politicos and the bankers
Are having too much fun
We're out here on the street today
To put them on the run

Oh, people can you stand it,
Tell me if you can
Will we fight here on the street
Or beg with cap in hand?

Tell them up in Washington
Let them hear it 'cross the land
We've been too long divided
United we'll make our stand

It's called the New York Stock Exchange
They all work out of sight
Money goes from their left hand
Directly to their right

We send our deepest thanks to you
We know you will not fall
They cops could take us one by one
But they sure can't take us all


Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Which Side Are You On -- topical lyrics
From: Mark Ross
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 03:45 PM

Two more verses from Etan who started this thread.

You say you love this country,               
I hope to God that's true,
But do you think those politicians,
Give a damn about you.

Come all you brave New Yorkers,            
I've a truth that I must tell,
If you don't fight for this country,
You'll watch it go to hell.

Mark Ross