FUNDRAISER FOR KENTUCKIANS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH
Here’s an important song by Hazel Dickens. I’ve held a deep admiration for her since I discovered her music while interning at Smithsonian Folkways, so much so that I even wrote my senior thesis in college about her. I sing this song as a gesture of solidarity with people around the world who continue to fight for freedom and justice. This song has been a reminder for me to stay active, to keep doing what I can do to make the world a better place, and to never give up.
Whether or not you like this song, please consider donating to Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, a statewide citizens' organization working for a new balance of power and a just society. They use direct action to challenge and change unfair political, economic, and social systems.
Among its many goals, KFTC aims to address the problems caused by coal mining, reform our state tax structure, restore voting rights, and help choose better leaders who represent ordinary people instead of powerful interests.Their membership is open to all people who are committed to equality, democracy, and non-violent change.
THEY'LL NEVER KEEP US DOWN
UNITED WE STAND
DIVIDED WE FALL
FOR EVERY DIME THEY GIVE US
A BATTLE MUST BE FOUGHT
SO WORKING PEOPLE USE YOUR POWER
THE KEY TO LIBERTY
DON'T SUPPORT THE RICH MAN'S STYLE OF LUXURY
AND THERE AIN'T NO WAY THEY CAN EVER KEEP US DOWN
OH NO AIN'T NO WAY THEY CAN EVER KEEP US DOWN
WE WON'T BE BOUGHT
WE WON'T BE SOLD
TO BE TREATED RIGHT, WELL THAT'S OUR GOAL
AND THERE AIN'T NO WAY THEY CAN EVER KEEP US DOWN
YEAH WE'VE BEEN SHOT
WE'VE BEEN JAILED
LORD ITS A SIN
WOMEN AND LITTLE CHILDREN STOOD RIGHT BY THE MEN
BUT WE'VE GOT A UNION CONTRACT
THAT KEEPS THE WORKER FREE
AND THEY'LL NEVER SHOOT THAT UNION OUT OF ME
NO THEY'LL NEVER SHOOT THAT UNION OUT OF ME OH NO
THEY'LL NEVER SHOOT THAT UNION OUT OF ME
WE’VE GOT A CONTRACT IN OUR HAND
SIGNED BY THE BLOOD OF HONEST MEN
AND THEY'LL NEVER SHOOT THAT UNION OUT OF ME
THE POWER WHEEL IS ROLLING, ROLLING RIGHT ALONG
AND THE GOVERNMENT KEEPS IT GOING, GOING STRONG
SO WORKING PEOPLE GET YOUR HELP FROM YOUR OWN KIND
YOUR WELFARE AINT ON THE RICH MAN'S MIND
NO YOUR WELFARE AINT ON THE RICH MAN'S MIND OH NO
YOUR WELFARE AINT ON THE RICH MAN'S MIND
THEY WANT THE POWER IN THEIR HANDS
JUST TO KEEP OUT OF THE WORKER AND
YOUR WELFARE AINT ON THE RICH MAN'S MIND
AND THEY'LL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER KEEP US DOWN
OH NO THEY'LL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER KEEP US DOWN
THEY CAN CHEAT ROB STEAL KILL
BUT WE GONNA STOP THAT WHEEL
AND THEY'LL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER KEEP US DOWN
AND THEY'LL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER KEEP US DOWN
YEAH THEY'LL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER KEEP US DOWN