SOLIDARITY FOREVER (BLAIR MOUNTAIN MARCHING SONG)
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Info: An old tune, popularly attached to different lyrics throughout history including ÒBattle Hymn of the RepublicÓ and ÒJohn BrownÕs Body.Ó Ralph Chaplin wrote ÒSolidarity ForeverÓ as a union organizing song in 1915. The last four verses of the song were written by Saro Lynch-Thomason for the purposes of the March on Blair Mountain. The lyrics were provided in the Solidarity Songbook used on the march.
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Lyrics:
Solidarity Forever
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.

Is there aught we hold in common with the greedy parasite,
Who would lash us into serfdom and would crush us with his might?
Is there anything left to us but to organize and fight?
For the union makes us strong.
Chorus

It is we who plowed the prairies; built the cities where they trade;
Dug the mines and built the workshops, endless miles of railroad laid;
Now we stand outcast and starving midst the wonders we have made;
But the union makes us strong.
Chorus

All the world that's owned by idle drones is ours and ours alone.
We have laid the wide foundations; built it skyward stone by stone.
It is ours, not to slave in, but to master and to own.
While the union makes us strong.
Chorus

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

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.

They say our day is over; they say our time is through,
They say you need no union if your collar isn't blue,
Well that is just another lie the boss is telling you,
For the Union makes us strong!
Chorus

They divide us by our color; they divide us by our tongue,
They divide us men and women,; they divide us old and young,
But they'll tremble at our voices, when they hear these verses sung,
For the Union makes us strong!
Chorus

We will march to yonder mountain and itÕs there we'll take our stand (3x)
Our union makes us strong!

Chorus:
Solidarity Forever! Solidarity forever! Solidarity forever!
Our union makes us strong!

Our rights to land and water they can never be denied (3x)
Our union makes us strong!

This path it has been trodden by the people proud and free (3x)
Our union makes us strong!

We will make the bosses tremble when they see us come in song (3x)
Our union makes us strong!

Now or never comrades, we must save Blair Mountain's name
To heritage and memory we have an equal claim
And if we let them strip it, it would be a livin' shame
For our union makes us strong!