Lyr Add: Union Man (Len Wallace, Steve Earle)

Subject: RE: Union lyrics for Earle's 'Galway Girl'
From: Ernest
Date: 26 Sep 05 - 05:56 AM

Yes, the reference to Woody Guthrie was meant as a compliment. Still I would prefer if it would sound like a Woody-Guthrie-song of today. All these references to streetfights of police vs. unions were a thing of the past, trade-unions being a part of the establishment now.
Regards
Ernest

Subject: RE: Union lyrics for Earle's 'Galway Girl'
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 26 Sep 05 - 12:55 AM

"stealing other people's tunes and changing the words"
Hear hear, Len!

"this time, no miners die"
Then it's not folk music is it?!?! :-P

Subject: RE: Union lyrics for Earle's 'Galway Girl'
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 Sep 05 - 11:56 PM

Sounds like a Woody-Guthrie-song out of the thirties

surely thats as good a compliment as any song can be awarded..!!!


.. simple.. heartfelt .. and direct to the point...


i got the Sharon Shannon and Friends 2 cd set..

and this is the best performance on it..

my wife is from south wales valleys..
amd my dad was a factory union shop steward..

and over the years i've encountered many good/indifferent/bad/embarrasing.. 'political' songs..


..the band i'm in do some terribly outdated lefty songs..

so what..

i like the lyrics you wrote to this tune..

cheers...

Subject: RE: Union lyrics for Earle's 'Galway Girl'
From: GUEST,Len Wallace
Date: 25 Sep 05 - 11:27 PM

Thanks guys for the comments.

Actually, the Steve Earle song itself has a bit of the ol' Woody Guthrie type feel, kind of country ceilidh. And yup, I drew upon the idea of the old song "Which Side Are You On", also ideas of the old English coal miner songs and Kentucky miner songs. And I also continued the Woody Guthrie tradition of stealing other people's tunes and changing the words. Nevertheless, the sentiment still stands today. The difference between this song and other songs I wrote about miners is that, this time, no miners die of cave ins or black lung!

Yours for the One Big Accordion,

Len

Subject: RE: Union lyrics for Earle's 'Galway Girl'
From: Big Mick
Date: 25 Sep 05 - 10:33 PM

Yep, Ernest, I agree on the feel of the lyrics, but Len has don a great job. But I gotta tell ya that I love the idea that Len has come up with. It is a great tune and hook, I think I will take a turn at a lyric meself. Should I come up with something that I feel is useable, I will provide attribution to this great idea.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Union lyrics for Earle's 'Galway Girl'
From: Ernest
Date: 25 Sep 05 - 04:53 AM

Sounds like a Woody-Guthrie-song out of the thirties... a little bit outdated for my taste...
Regards
Ernest

Subject: RE: Union lyrics for Earle's 'Galway Girl'
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Sep 05 - 11:54 PM

Not bad at all Len, me ol' soup-spoon... I'll be requesting this from ya from now on as well...

   But I'll confess, I like Galway Girl just the way she is

:-)

Subject: Union lyrics for Earle's 'Galway Girl'
From: GUEST,Len Wallace
Date: 24 Sep 05 - 11:11 PM

Hello Muscattananites!

Finally had a chance to hear Steve Earle's song, "Galway Girl" from the Sharon Shannon and Friends recording. Fell in love with the tune and the instrumental hook. The more I listened to it the more I heard it with new lyrics shaping in my mind, demanding it be changed into a song for working people, a union/labour song. Here's what I came up with using his melody. Simply called, "UNION MAN". The point being that we all have to make choices on which side we'll be on in the coming days.

For the cause that never dies,
Len Wallace

UNION MAN
music Steve Earle, lyrics Len Wallace

I took a stroll 'round the old coal town
One day-I-ay-I-ay
And I met good folk bein' hard put down
That day-I-ay-I-ay
And I ask you now, Tell me what would you do,
When the boss man turns his back on you?
And knew right then, I would give 'em a hand,
That day I learned to be a Union Man.

The cops came down with gas and guns
that day-I-ay-I-ay
And the company boys thought they'd have some fun.
So I crossed that road, 'cause I made up my mind
To join those good folks on the line.
And the women and men, they put up a stand
And those company thugs turned tail and ran!

Well, it seems the same the whole world 'round...
That the rich folk keep the poor ones down.
And I tell you, friend, When it's all said and done.
That you got to choose which side you'rr on.
And I'm proud to say that I'd do it again,
Like the day I learned to be a Union Man.