In honor of Labor Day here in the U.S., my coworker Pete posted this video someone put together of images from various labor strikes, protests, etc., set to the Dropkick Murphy’s version of “Which Side Are You On?”, originally written by Florence Reece in 1931 in response to intimidation of her family during struggles between workers and coal mine owners in Harlan County, Kentucky:
The Dropkick Murphys’ “Worker’s Song” seems equally apropos:
Comments 7
Anonymous — September 5, 2011
It's also Labour Day in Canada just to let you know.
Kat — September 5, 2011
Hate that version. The only one for me is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iAIM02kv0g
Give me goosebumps and teary eyes each time I hear it.
Ole — September 6, 2011
Note that in the rest of the world, Labor Day is May 1st. It's funny because this international workers' day actually originated in the US (ca 1886) and spread to Europe and the rest of the world in solidarity with US workers. It was then fought by the US government who later instituted the American "Labor Day" with the intention of making US workers forget their history of struggle (various presidents also tried to make May 1st into conservative holidays like "Law Day").
Just a historical note.
Greg — September 7, 2011
Next year, you should feature Billy Bragg, half of whose catalog is about labor issues. Here are just a few of his labor- and socialism-themed songs, including covers:
Which Side Are You On?
Between the Wars
The World Turned Upside Down
There Is Power in a Union
Waiting for the Great Leap Forward
The Internationale
I Dreamed I Saw Phil Ochs Last Night
The Marching Song of the Covert Battalions
The Red Flag
Joe Hill
This Land Is Your Land
Never Cross a Picket Line
A Change Is Gonna Come
A Miner's Life
A Pict Song
Northern Industrial Town
NPWA
Which Side Are You On – Dropkick Murphys | The Prime Directive — October 29, 2012
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