Homestead Strike

Pennsylvania Songs and Legends (Korson et al, Johns Hopkins Press)



We are asking one another

as we pass the time of day

Why working men resort to arms

to get their proper pay,

And why our labor unions

they must not be recognized,

While the actions of a syndicate

must not be criticized.

Now the troubles down at Homestead

were brought about this way

When a grasping corporation

had the audacity to say:

"You must all renounce your union

and forswear your liberty,

And we'll give you a chance to live

and die in slavery."

Cho.

Now the man that fights for honor,

none can blame him.

May luck attend wherever he may roam.

And no son of his will ever live

to shame him.

Whilst Liberty and Honor rule our Home.



Now this sturdy band of working men

started out at the break of day

Determination in their faces

which plainly meant to say:

"No one can come and take our homes

for which we have toiled so long

No one can come and take our places ---

no, here's where we belong!"

A woman with a rifle

saw her husband in the crowd,

She handed him the weapon

and they cheered her long and loud.

He kissed her and said, "Mary,

you go home till we're through."

She answered,"No. If you must die,

my place is here with you."



Cho.



When a lot of tramp detectives

came without authority

Like thieves at night when decent men

were sleeping peacefully---

Can you wonder why all honest hearts

with indignation burn,

And why the slimy worm that treads the earth

when trod upon will turn?



When they locked out men at Homestead

so they were face to face

With a lot of bum detectives

and they knew it was their place

To protect their homes and families,

and this was neatly done

And the public will reward them

for the victories they won.



Homestead Strike (1892), Carnegie Steel

locked out 3800 Amalgamated Assn Iron & Steel

workers; workers barricaded plant and shut it down

for 5 days. July 6 Carnegie hired 300 armed

Pinkertons with guns, dynamite, cannon.

Battle lasted all day, Pinkerton's surrendered.

total 10 dead, over 60 wounded.



Recorded by Stekert- Songs of a New York Lumberjack

@work @UNION

filename[ HOMESTD

RG

===DOCUMENT BOUNDARY