Preacher and the Slave
I love this song! It was originally written by Joe Hill in 1911 (of "I dreamed I met Joe Hill Last Night Fame - murdered by capitalists before WWI - he had his ashes scattered in every state except Utah - because he wouldn't "be caught dead in Utah."
- Long-haired preachers come out every night,
- Try to tell you what's wrong and what's right;
- But when asked how 'bout something to eat
- They will answer in voices so sweet
- (chorus)
- You will eat, bye and bye,
- In that glorious land above the sky;
- Work and pray, live on hay,
- You'll get pie in the sky when you die
- And the Starvation Army they play,
- And they sing and they clap and they pray,
- Till they get all your coin on the drum,
- Then they tell you when you're on the bum
- Holy Rollers and Jumpers come out
- And they holler, they jump and they shout
- Give your money to Jesus, they say,
- He will cure all diseases today
- If you fight hard for children and wife-
- Try to get something good in this life-
- You're a sinner and bad man, they tell,
- When you die you will sure go to hell.
- Workingmen of all countries, unite
- Side by side we for freedom will fight
- When the world and its wealth we have gained
- To the grafters we'll sing this refrain
- You will eat, bye and bye,
- When you've learned how to cook and how to fry;
- Chop some wood, 'twill do you good
- Then you'll eat in the sweet bye and bye
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Do you know where to get the song on CD or mp3? I'd love to have it handy in case some door to door buybull salesman knocks on my door.
You can get the one with Dan Barker singing it on the CD "Friendly Neighborhood Atheist" at http://www.ffrf.org/shop/music/
Matt Shizzle has been banned from the Rational Response Squad website. This event shall provide an atmosphere more conducive to social growth. - Majority of the mod team
There are no recordings of the original song sung by Joe Hill (or any recordings of Hill's performances).
But it's a favorite song of the IWW. Utah Phillips has song it on many occasions.
http://www.imeem.com/people/4U3XQnW/music/K17jIae0/utah_phillips_the_preacher_and_the_slave/