Song titles

• THE SLIMY PATRICK'S SCAB Donated by Peter Hicks
• LIBERALS ARE BASTARDS
• SOLIDARITY FOREVER By Ralph Chaplin
• JOE HILL By Earl Robinson
• THE UNION MAID By Woody Guthrie
• THE BALLAD OF 1891
• THE FIGHTING MUA
• JOIN THE MUA Words by Mark Gregory
• WALTZING MATILDA - (rev. 1998) - Words by Rick Finney
• CHANTS FOR THE PICKET LINE

I heartily recommend a visit to the union song site at: http://www.chepd.mq.edu.au/boomerang/unionsong

The following songs have been generated by the waterfront dispute and loaded to the above site:

• At last count we have
• I Can't Abide (Dengate),
• The Fighting MUA (anon thus far)
• The Slimy Patrick Scab (Francis and Hicks).
• Right That Time (Mulheron)
• Join The MUA (new words Gregory)
• Justice Denied (Warner)
• MUA Here to Stay! (Warner)
• Talking Security Dog Blues (Warner)
• Waltzing Matilda, 1998 (Finney)
• The Liberals are Bastards (anon)
• Tribute to John Howard (Warner)
• 3 MUA Poems (Tomlinson)

Here is the Patricks Scab song please feel free to distribute it in solidarity with the MUA.

Peter Hicks

Words by Geoff Francis & Peter Hicks.
Tune: works well with "The Sydney Market Boys" - or try your own!
We are pleased to donate this song to assist the MUA in their struggle. Please use it widely and pass it on. This song borrows proudly from folk history, and in particular from "Casey Jones, Union Scab."

1. There's vampire bats and sewer rats, there's pubic lice and crabs,
   But the lowest form of life on Earth is the slimy Patrick's scab.
   There's vampire bats and sewer rats, there's pubic lice and crabs,
   But the lowest form of life on Earth is the slimy Patrick's scab.

2. An hour before the sun comes up, he crawls out of his pit,
   You wouldn't get too close to him for the smell of slime and ... other little bits,
   Beneath the cloak of darkness he sets off, all clad in black,
   To serve his wretched masters goes the slimy Patrick's scab.

3. And when his treachery is done, on his knees he crawls back home,
   His kids don't want to know him, so he eats his tea alone,
   They haven't been to school for days, they're ashamed that he's their dad,
   "Tell me, what's your father do?". "He's a slimy Patrick's scab."

   There's vampire bats...

4. He's not dared step inside a pub or an RSL for days,
   'Cos when you're a slimy Patrick's scab the world don't seem too safe.
   He sits at home and counts his hoard to find out what he's worth,
   But what value would you put upon the lowest slime on Earth?

5. Alas, accidents do happen, in the wharves and on the shore -
   A crash, a smash, a flash, a splash - and our scab's a scab no more,
   Nobody mourns his passing, no-one's even slightly sad,
   Upon his grave these words inscribed - "Here lies a Patrick's scab."

   There's vampire bats...

6. So he walks up to the pearly gates where the heavenly bell he rings,
   Says he, "I've worked hard all my life, you'll surely let me in.
   "I've always done the boss's will, to have served him makes me proud,
   "So please give me my halo now, and my little fluffy cloud."

7. Saint Peter slowly shakes his head and looks him in the face,
   "What makes you think that I've got room for scabs inside this place?
   "You've robbed your neighbour of his job and his children of their food,
   "You've stabbed your brothers in the back and betrayed your sisters too.
   "My angels would lay down their harps, do you think that I'm that mad?"
   And to burn in hell forever he despatched the Patrick's scab.

   There's vampire bats...

   There's vampire bats...

[ Song Titles ]

LIBERALS ARE BASTARDS

1. Howard is a liar - he should be removed!
   Howard is a liar - he should be removed!
   Just like a scum across the Ya-ar-ra,
   He should be removed!
   
   
   
2. Fischer is a dropkick - he should be removed!
   Fischer is a dropkick - he should be removed!
   Just like a scum across the Ya-ar-ra,
   He should be removed!
   
   
   
3. Costello is a mad dog - he should be removed!
   Costello is a mad dog - he should be removed!
   Just like a scum across the Ya-ar-ra,
   He should be removed!
   
   
   
4. Downer is a blockhead - he should be removed!
   Downer is a blockhead - he should be removed!
   Just like a scum across the Ya-ar-ra,
   He should be removed!
   
   
   
5. Reith is a bastard - he should be removed!
   Reith is a bastard - he should be removed!
   Just like a scum across the Ya-ar-ra,
   He should be removed!
   
   
   
6. Vanstone is a ratbag - she should be removed!
   Vanstone is a ratbag - she should be removed!
   Just like a scum across the Ya-ar-ra,
   She should be removed!
   
   
   
7. Herron is a racist - he should be removed!
   Herron is a racist - he should be removed!
   Just like a scum across the Ya-ar-ra,
   He should be removed!
   
   
   
8. Liberals are bastards - they should be removed!
   Liberals are bastards - they should be removed!
   Just like a scum across the Ya-ar-ra,
   They should be removed!
   Just like a scum across the Ya-ar-ra,
   THEY WILL BE REMOVED!
   

[ Song Titles ]

SOLIDARITY FOREVER

Tune: John Brown's Body
Words by Ralph Chaplin

1. When the Union's inspiration through the workers' blood shall run,
   There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun.
   Yet what force on Earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one?
   But the Union makes us strong.
   

   Chorus:

   Solidarity forever,
   Solidarity forever,
   Solidarity forever,
   For the Union makes us strong!
   

2. Is there aught we have in common with the greedy parasite,
   Who would lash us into serfdom and would crush us with his might?
   There's naught that's left for us to do but organise and fight,
   For the Union makes us strong!
   

   Chorus

3. They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn,
   But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel could turn.
   We shall break their haughty power, gain our freedom when we learn,
   That the Union makes us strong!
   

   Chorus

4. In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold,
   Greater than the might of armies magnified a thousand-fold.
   We can bring to birth a new world from the ashes of the old,
   For the Union makes us strong!
   

   Chorus

[ Song Titles ]

JOE HILL

By Earl Robinson

1. I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,
   Alive as you and me,
   Says I, "But Joe, you're ten years dead".
   "I never died," says he.
   "I never died," says he.
   

2. "In Salt Lake City, Joe," says I,
   Him standing by my bed,
   "They framed you on a murder charge."
   Says Joe, "But I ain't dead."
   Says Joe, "But I ain't dead."
   

3. "The copper bosses killed you, Joe.
   They shot you, Joe," says I.
   "Takes more than guns to kill a man,"
   Says Joe, "I didn't die."
   Says Joe, "I didn't die."
   

4. And standing there as big as life,
   And smiling with his eyes,
   Joe says, "What they can never kill,
   Went on to organise.
   Went on to organise."
   

5. "Joe Hill ain't dead," he says to me,
   "Joe Hill ain't never died.
   Where working folk are out on strike,
   Joe Hill is at their side.
   Joe Hill is at their side."
   

6. From San Diego up to Maine,
   In every mine and mill,
   Where workers strike and organise,"
   Says he, "You'll find Joe Hill."
   Says he, "You'll find Joe Hill."
   

7. I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,
   Alive as you and me,
   Says I, "But Joe, you're ten years dead".
   "I never died," says he.
   "I never died," says he.
   

[ Song Titles ]

UNION MAID

Words & Music by Woody Guthrie

1. There once was a union maid, she never was afraid,
   Of the goons and the ginks and the company finks;
   And the deputy sheriffs who made the raid.
   She went to the Union hall, when a meeting it was called,
   And when the company boys came round,
   She always stood her ground.
   

   Chorus:

   
   

   Oh you can't scare me, I'm stickin' to the Union,
   I'm stickin' to the Union, I'm stickin' to the Union.
   Oh you can't scare me, I'm stickin' to the Union,
   I'm stickin' to the Union till the day I die.
   

2. This union maid was wise to the tricks of the company spies,
   She couldn't be fooled by the company rules,
   She'd always organise.
   She'd always get her way when she struck for higher pay,
   She'd show her card to the National Guard,
   And this is what she'd say:
   

   Chorus
   

3. A woman's life is hard, even with a Union card,
   She's got to stand on her own two feet,
   Not be the servant of a male elite.
   It's time to take a stand, start working hand in hand,
   For there's a job that's just begun & a fight that's got to be won.
   

   Chorus

[ Song Titles ]

THE BALLAD OF 1891

1. The price of wool was falling in 1891.
   The men who owned the acres saw something must be done;
   "We will break the Shearers' Union, and show we're masters still,
   And they'll take the terms we give them, or we'll find the ones who will."
   

2. From Claremont to Barcaldine, the shearers' camps were full;
   Ten thousand blades were ready to strip the greasy wool,
   When through the west like thunder, rang out the Union's call,
   "The sheds'll be shore Union or they won't be shorn at all."
   

3. Oh, Billy Lane was with them; his words were like a flame;
   The flag of blue above them, they spoke Eureka's name.
   "Tomorrow," said the squatters, "they'll find it does not pay,
   We're bringing up free labourers to get the clip away."
   

4. "Tomorrow," said the shearers, "they may not be so keen,
   We can mount three thousand horses, to show them what we mean."
   "Then we'll pack the west with troopers, from Bourke to Charters Towers,
   You can have your fill of speeches but the final strength is ours."
   

5. "Be damned to your six-shooters, your troopers and police!
   The sheep are growing heavy, the burr is in the fleece."
   "Then if Nordenfeldt and Gatling won't bring you to your knees,
   We'll find a law," the squatters said, "that's made for times like these."
   

6. To trial at Rockhampton the fourteen men were brought;
   The judge had got his orders, the squatters owned the court.
   But for every one that's sentenced, ten thousand won't forget,
   Where they jail someone for striking, it's a rich man's country yet.
   

[ Song Titles ]

THE FIGHTING MUA

Source: http://www.insidetheweb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi/mb63212
(tune: the Wild Colonial Boy)

1. There was a foolish stevedore
   And Patricks was his name
   It was owned by a scab named Corrigan
   To our great nation's shame
   He was a liar and a cheat
   A puppet some may say
   But never could he bluff or beat
   The fighting MUA
   
   
2. It was in the night that Patricks came
   Like burglars at their trade
   With guard dogs, scabs and Canberra spies
   Coming to their aid
   While Peter Reith and his little mate
   Fanned the flames all day
   In London, Cooktown and Dubai
   They'd smash the MUA

   So come away my Comrades
   On the wattle we'll have no stains
   We'll scorn to live in slavery
   Bound down by iron chains
   We'll link our arms and stand and fight
   Forever we shall try
   We'll fight beside our fighting mates
   The fighting MUA (chorus)
   
   

3. The judge in England said he could not
   Countenance this lot
   A nasty scheme was all worked out
   A filthy dirty plot
   And comrades from around the world
   Will now come to our aid
   To fight and organise
   Beside the fighting MUA.

[ Song Titles ]

JOIN THE MUA

Source: http://www.chepd.mq.edu.au/boomerang/unionsong/u043.html
New words by Mark Gregory
Tunes: "Which Side Are You On?" by Florence Reece
and "Join the NMU" by Aunt Molly Jackson

1. Come all of you good wharfies
   Good news to you I'll tell
   Of how that good old MUA
   Has come in here to dwell

   Chorus
   Join the MUA
   Come and join the MUA
   Join the MUA
   Come and join the MUA
   
   

2. My daddy was a wharfie
   And I'm a wharfie's son
   I'm sticking to the MUA
   Till every battle's won
   
   
3. On wharves around Australia
   There are no neutrals left
   You'll either be a union man
   Or a thug for the NFF
   
   
4. Oh, workers can you stand it?
   Oh, tell me how you can
   Will you be a lousy scab
   Or will you be a man?
   
   
5. When Patrick sacked the wharfies
   They thought it was a joke
   But world wide solidarity
   Is causing them to choke
   
   
6. Don't scab for the bosses
   Don't listen to their lies
   Us working folks haven't got a chance
   Unless we organize

Notes

MUA is the Maritime Union of Australia, an amalgamation of the old Waterside Workers Federation and the Seamen's Union of Australia.

The NFF is the National Farmers Federation, representing the large agribusiness interests. The present Federal Government of Australia (1998) is politically and financially linked to the NFF, and together they have organised an onslaught on the unionism in Australia, most spectacularly attacking union rights on the waterfront, with the forced removal of 1400 workers (April 9th 1998) from Patrick docks and their replacement with scabs "trained" by NFF, the government acting as cheerleader.

Industrial Relations Minister Peter Reith, both designed the new laws to curtail workers rights and advised Patrick on ways to circumvent the little worker protection remaining in those laws.

The sackings have led to 2 weeks of picketting at Patrick docks around Australia, with the whole community joining in, and even police ignoring demands by Prime Minister John Howard to break up picket lines.

Internationally dockers in Japan, South Africa, United States are refusing to unload Patrick cargo, and there is a growing boycott of Australia farm produce (April 23rd 1998) in a number of countries.

I have taken 2 songs for this one,. "Which Side Are You On?" by Florence Reece and "Join the NMU" by Aunt Molly Jackson

[ Song Titles ]

Waltzing Matilda - 1998 (rev.)

Source: MUA website at http://mua.tcp.net.au/Pages/war.html
[rewritten by Rick Finney. March 20, 1998]

1. Once a happy tradesman
   Worked by the waterside
   Under the shadow of a loading gantry
   And he sang as he worked
   And laboured by the waterside
   You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

   CHORUS
   Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda,
   You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me
   And he sang as he worked
   And laboured by the waterside
   You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
   
   

2. Up came a Squatter
   Resplendent in hypocrisy
   Supported by the troopers
   Three by three
   Where's your union ticket
   What's that in your tucker bag
   You'll not work this waterside
   We're going to break your solidarity

   Waltzing Matilda (chorus)
   
   

3. Up jumped the Wharfie
   And called to his brotherhood
   Never a "SCAB"
   You'll ever see me
   And he sang
   As he stood
   A picket of solidarity
   Never a Scab will you make me

   Waltzing Matilda (chorus)
   
   

4. Funded by the taxpayers
   The Squatters formed a company
   Supported by corruption
   and more political hypocrisy
   And they whined as they formed
   "It's for all our society"
   Although few taxes paid
   At all do we

   Waltzing Matilda (chorus)
   
   

5. Along came the judges
   Members of the exclusive legal fraternity
   You've not "closed shop" rights like us
   Cried they
   We're the guardians of the corrupt establishment
   It's been our trust for a century
   We'll allow no honest equality
   Staying as decadent pedophilic and kinky as we please

   Waltzing Matilda (chorus)
   
   

6. Banned were the exports
   Handled by Squatter's hypocrisy
   Grain, wool and cattle
   Internationally
   And they sang as they stood
   Firm in international solidarity
   "We are sisters and brothers in Union.
   Never to be broken are we"

   Waltzing Matilda (CHORUS) Forever firm in true solidarity, never to be broken are we "

[ Song Titles ]

Chants for the picket line

The primary chant on pickets has been MUA HERE TO STAY.

An anonymous suggestion:

The plain chant of 'MUA' could perhaps be made more persuasive for the public and interesting for the chanters. e.g. on the line of many chants including working chants in the past where a group or leader starts a verse and everyone joins in as they cotton on, and add the chorus.

The following lines are in alphabetical and meaningful order, so that if they were kept in order, people could know them and join in quickly - and then others could be added as they were thought of.

A fair days work for a fair days pay	MUA
Get the ships away	with the MUA
Hear the people say	back the MUA
Here we stay	with the MUA
Hip Hurray	for the MUA
We're on our way	with the MUA
What do we say	Back the MUA
Win the day	with the MUA

[ Song Titles ]

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Last Modified : May 3, 1998