Rise Again

Soft as a whisper but loud as a roar.

I can feel something a stirring,

Like I never have before.

We've been quiet too long, my friends,

We've been quiet for thirty years now,

You had the work, and you gave us the pay;

But with hard times ‘round the corner,

You think we've seen our better day.

But we're not going back to where we began

‘Cause the working folks of this country will rise again.

Now, you say that you don't need me

And you lay me off; no work, you say.

You expect to see my head a-hanging

As I pack and walk away.

But with my brothers and sisters, so proudly we'll stand

As the working folks of this country rise again.

And I've heard tell of Big Bill Haywood*

And Elizabeth Gurley Flynn.t

They were old-time union warriors,

Gave no thought to giving in:

We will rekindle that spirit again

As the working folks of this country rise again.

t Harty [WW onpanizer and agitator