Lyr Add: We Ain't Gonna Give It Back (J O'Connor)

Subject: Lyr Add: WE AIN'T GONNA GIVE IT BACK
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Sep 16 - 12:16 PM

I found this on Spotify.

WE AIN'T GONNA GIVE IT BACK
As recorded by The Speakers on "The Happy Birthday Album" (2001)

We worked and we fought for the little bit that's ours.
We ain't gonna give it back.
While you ride around in your Cadillac cars,
We ain't gonna give it back.
You take away our bread and butter and you say it's just fine.
Well, we're gonna stand out on the picket line.
You tried it before but I tell you this time,
We ain't gonna give it back.

CHORUS: Oh, no, we ain't gonna give it back.
Oh, no, we ain't gonna give it back.
Oh, no, we ain't gonna give it back.
We ain't gonna give it back.

Now you want our wages and our benefits too,
But we ain't gonna give it back.
It's always less for us and it's more for you.
We ain't gonna give it back.
Profits are higher than they've ever been.
The economy's a mess 'cause you're greedy as sin.
You're never gonna care about the shape we're in,
So we ain't gonna give it back. CHORUS

You tried to take away our dignity by being so demeaning and crude.
You prob'ly want to take away our four-hour minis(?) too.
You call yourself the total show but where would you be
Without the workers? You'd be totally fucked, obviously.
It's the same old story 'bout the rich and the poor.
It's mighty plain to see what the union is for.
What was it that my mom told me about a class war?
We ain't gonna give it back. CHORUS

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Not Gonna Give it back John O'Connor
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 03 Sep 16 - 08:42 AM

It is indeed Dave - that's why I wanted it - I've lost the notes to the album
It's one of those songs that lives with you long after you've heard it.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Not Gonna Give it back John O'Connor
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 03 Sep 16 - 08:32 AM

I have a recording of this song by Peggy Seeger. It's very good.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Not Gonna Give it back John O'Connor
From: maeve
Date: 03 Sep 16 - 06:52 AM

My pleasure. Glad to be helpful!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Not Gonna Give it back John O'Connor
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 03 Sep 16 - 03:43 AM

Hi Maeve
No - I had not found the site
Very many thanks for that
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Not Gonna Give it back John O'Connor
From: maeve
Date: 02 Sep 16 - 06:13 PM

Jim Carroll, have you already found John Paul O'Connor's website? There is a biography there. :)

https://johnpauloconnor.com/music/we-aint-gonna-give-it-back/

Subject: Lyr Add: WE AIN'T GONNA GIVE IT BACK (O'Connor)
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 02 Sep 16 - 09:15 AM

Does anybody have any information on the writer of this song
Thanks, Jim Carroll

WE AIN'T GONNA GIVE IT BACK – John O'Connor (6)

Oh we worked and we fought for the little we've got,
And we're not going to give it back,
While you drive 'round in a Rolls Royce Car
Ans we're not going to give it back.
You take away our bread and butter while you're drinking wine
And you send out the cops against the picket line,
You tried it before but I swear this time,
We're not going to give it back.

Chorus:
We're not going to give it back,
No, we're not going to give it back
We're not going to give it back, no fear,
We're not going to give it back.

Well you want our wages and our benefits too,
And we're not going to give it back,
To make less for us and more for you.
And we're not going to give it back,
Your profits are higher than they've ever been,
The economy's a mess 'cause you're as greedy as sin,
And you never will care what shape we're in,
And we're not going to give it back.
Chorus

We won the right to bargain and the right to strike,
And we're not going to give it back,
Now you think you ca cancel them whenever you like,
And we're not going to give it back,
Listen while I tell you 'bout the rich and poor,
It's what my momma told me about the class war,
Well, it's mighty plain to see what the Union's for,
And we're not going to give it back,
Chorus.

It's the same old story 'bout the wealthy few
Getting rich off the workers back,
You divide us up by giving jobs to two,
While another two get the sack.
Up to now you've had your ride for free,
We'll put a picket line 'round the whole country,
And set off a banner for the world so see
That you're never going to get it back.

No, you're never going to get it back,
You're never going to get it back,
You're never going to get it back, no fear
You're never going to get it back,
(repeat)