great lyrics

one of the big highlights of the BDO last weekend was billy bragg's performance and probably the highlight of that was when he sang 'there is power in a union'. it was spine-tingling to see the raised fists pumping the air and a sense of solidarity. i felt so inspired that i thought i'd post the lyrics here. unions have a bad name in WA due to a couple of unscrupulous leaders and a media that will take any opportunity to portray them in a bad light but, sadly, there is a very good reason for us to have them. until business leaders are prepared to fairly consider the rights and safety of their workers as a priority, the unions movement will always be needed.

There Is Power In A Union - Billy Bragg (1986)

There is power in a factory, power in the land
Power in the hands of a worker
But it all amounts to nothing if together we don't stand
There is power in a Union

Now the lessons of the past were all learned with workers' blood
The mistakes of the bosses we must pay for
From the cities and the farmlands to trenches full of mud
War has always been the bosses' way, sir

The Union forever defending our rights
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
With our brothers and our sisters from many far off lands
There is power in a Union

Now I long for the morning that they realise
Brutality and unjust laws can not defeat us
But who'll defend the workers who cannot organise
When the bosses send their lackies out to cheat us?

Money speaks for money, the Devil for his own
Who comes to speak for the skin and the bone
What a comfort to the widow, a light to the child
There is power in a Union

The Union forever defending our rights
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
With our brothers and our sisters together we will stand
There is power in a Union.