Forum Post: Which Side Are You On: 2011

This is a collaboration between myself, Mark Ross (Oregon), and Bruce Murdoch (Ontario). It's an update of Florence Reece's song "Which Side Are You On" (lyrics written in 1931, melody traditional) for Occupy Wall Street. I hope you enjoy it. I'm going to try to use it as a street chant while marching this weekend.

Which Side Are You On: 2011

[chorus]

Which side are you on, boys, Which side are you on, When the battle-line's drawn, boys, Which side are you on.

[verses]

Come all you brave New Yorkers, There's a truth that I must tell, If we don't fight for our country, We'll see it go to hell.

Oh, people can you stand it,
Tell me if you can, Will we fight out on the street today, Or beg with cap in hand?

They say in New York City, Eight million of us here, A million live in poverty, And the boss class doesn't care.

They say that down on Wall Street, The money goes round and round, But for the 99 percent, It never trickles down.

We came here for justice,
To change a damned disgrace, Walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, Got netted and got maced.

Politicos and the bankers, They're having too much fun, We're out here on the street today, To put them on the run.

You say you love this country,
I hope to God that's true, But do you think those politicians, Give a damn for you.

So tell them down in Washington, And all across the land, We've been too long divided, United we'll make our stand.

They say down in Zucotti Park, There are no neutrals there, You'll either fight for justice, Or live life in despair.

Oh what a thing of beauty, Oh what a glorious sight, Who will beat the marchers, When the cops go out on strike?

Sing 'Glory Hallelujah', What a sight to see, 20,000 in the street today, Marching for democracy.

My eyes have seen the glory, My face has felt the street, They can knock me on my ass again, But the movement can't be beat.

My brothers & my sisters, I know you will not fall, The cops can take us one by one, But they sure can't take us all.

-- Etan