We have fed you all 1000 years: nineteenth-century radical song and the rise of North American labor

Figures & data

Figure 1. “The Unfortunate Miss Bailey” / “The Hunters of Kentucky”. Author’s transcription.

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Ye gentlemen and ladies fair Who grace this famous city, Just listen, if you’ve time to spare, While I rehearse a ditty;	The British found, ‘twas vain to fight, Where lead was all their booty, And so they wisely took to flight, And left us all the beauty.
And for the opportunity Conceive yourselves quite lucky, For ‘tis not often that you see A hunter from Kentucky.	And now, if danger e’er annoys, Remember what our trade is; Just send for us Kentucky boys, And we’ll protect ye, ladies.^12
Refrain: Oh Kentucky, the hunters of Kentucky! Oh Kentucky, the hunters of Kentucky!
We are a hardy, free-born race, Each man to fear a stranger; Whate’er the game, we join in chase, Despising toil and danger.
And if a daring foe annoys, Whate’er his strength and forces, We’ll show him that Kentucky boys Are alligator horses.
[10 verses recounting the battle …]

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Why Yankee land is at a stand, And all in consternation; For in the South they make a rout, And all about Nullification.	Sing Yankee doodle doodle doo, Yankee doodle dandy, If their cotton bags don’t find a sale, Their cash wont be so handy.
Sing Yankee doodle doodle doo, Yankee doodle dandy, Our foes are few, our hearts are true, And Jackson is quite handy.	When we our glorious Constitution form’d, These Southern men declined it, But soon they found they were unarmed, And petitioned to sign it.
Nat Turner’s plan, the daring man, May soon reach South Carolina, Then would the black, their bodies hack, Cæsar, Cato, Pomp, and Dinah,	Sing Yankee doodle doodle doo, Yankee doodle dandy, Now like the snake torpid in a brake, They think Nullification it is handy.
Sing Yankee doodle doodle doo, Yankee doodle dandy. These Southern folks, may crack their jokes, If northerners are so handy.	Our country’s cause, our country’s laws, We ever will defend, Sir, And if they do not gain applause, My song was never penned, Sir.
Their cotton bags, may turn to rags, If Eastern men don’t buy them, For all their gold, they may be sold, Or their slaves may yet destroy them.	So, sound the trumpet, beat the drum, Play Yankee doodle dandy, We Jackson boys will quickly come, And be with our rifles handy.^14

Figure 2. “The Factory Girl,” to the tune “Jack Munro.” Author’s transcription.

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Come all you weary Factory girls, I’ll have you understand, I’m going to leave the Factory And return to my native land	Come all you little doffers That work in the spinning room Go wash your face and comb your hair Prepare to leave the room.
No more I’ll have these tolling bells, To call me from my bed: No more I’ll hear those passing drums As they roll o’er my head. No more I’ll put my bonnet on And hasten to the mill, While all the girls are working hard, Here I’ll be lying still. [3 verses beginning No more I’ll …]	[3 verses mirroring the incipit “No more I’ll … ”] Then since they have cut my wages To nine shillings a week; If I can’t better wages make Some other place I’ll seek. It’s soon you will see me married To a nice little man; It’s then I will say to you factory girls “Come and see me when you can.”^16

Figure 3. “Old Dan Tucker” / “Get Off the Track.” Author’s transcription.

Figure 4. “Hold the Fort” / “Storm the Fort.” Author’s transcription.

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Ho, my comrades, see the signal, Waving in the sky! Reinforcements now appearing, Victory is nigh.	Toiling millions now are waking, See them marching on; All the tyrants now are shaking, Ere their power is gone.
Hold the fort, for I am coming, Jesus signals still; Wave the answer back to heaven, By Thy grace we will.	Storm the fort, Ye Knights of Labor, Battle for your cause; Equal rights for every neighbor, Down with tyrant laws!

Figure 5. “She is More to be Pitied than Censured.” Author’s transcription.

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Tsi gedenkt ir dem umglik vos hot getrofn In monat Merts vos iz geven Fun kleyn biz groys zenen gefloygn gelofn Tsu dem fayer vos es iz geshen	Do you remember the calamity That took place last March? From small to big, they flew And ran to the fire that was taking place
Di fayer layt zenen ongekumen Mit vaser payps mit pikes in di hent Tsu der arbet hobn zey zikh shnel genumen Un retn hobn zey nit gekent	The firemen came With water pipes and picks in their hands They swiftly got to work But they couldn’t save anyone
Refreyn Oy a trer darf yeder mentsh fargisn Af dem groysn khurbn vos es iz geven Vi der fayer hot kinder fun eltern avekgerisn Aza umglik zol mer nisht geshen	Refrain Oh, one should shed a tear for every lost person The great destruction that took place How the fire tore children from their parents Let such a disaster not take place again
Fun der tsentn flor zenen zey geshprungen Zikh tsu retn fun der biterer noyt Dokh iz zey nebekh nit gelungen Un af dem sayd-vok gefinen zey dem toyt	They jumped from the tenth floor To save themselves from the bitter emergency But of course they weren’t successful, Poor things, And on the sidewalk they found death.^27

Figure 6. “Onward Christian Soldiers” / “Modern Missionary Zeal” / “Onward Christian Soldier.” Author’s transcription.

Figure 7. “Sweet By-and-By” / “The Right will Prevail” / “Pie in the Sky When You Die.” Author’s transcription.

Figure 8. “Father was Killed by a Pinkerton Man.” Author’s transcription.

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‘Twas in Pennsylvania town not very long ago Men struck against reduction of their pay Their millionaire employer with philanthropic show Had closed the work till starved they would obey	Ye prating politicians, who boast protection creed, Go to Homestead and stop the orphans’ cry. Protection for the rich man ye pander to his greed, His workmen they are cattle and may die.
They fought for home and right to live where they had toiled so long But ere the sun had set some were laid low There’re hearts now sadly grieving by that sad and bitter wrong God help them for it was a cruel blow.	The freedom of the city in Scotland far away ‘Tis presented to the millionaire suave, But here in Free America with protection in full sway His workmen get the freedom of the grave.
CHORUS God help them tonight in their hour of affliction Praying for him whom they’ll ne’er see again Hear the orphans tell their sad story “Father was killed by the Pinkerton men.”

Figure 9. “The Soldier’s Song,” to the tune of “Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!” Author’s transcription.

Figure 10. “The Battle Cry of Freedom” / “Power in a Union.” Author’s transcription.