Joe Hill

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.

"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."

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

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

"Joe Hill ain't dead," he says to me,
"Joe Hill, he never died.
"Where working men defend their rights
"Joe Hill is at their side."
"Joe Hill is at their side!"

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_yC4ffyGiw

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Musik: E. Robinson
Text: A. Hayes

Joe Hill war Musiker und Organizer der IWW. Er wurde fälschlicherweise des Mordes Angeklagt und von er amerikanischen Klassenjustiz hingerichtet. Ein Gnadengesuch lehnte er mit den Worten ab: „Nicht Gnade will ich, sondern Gerechtigkeit. Und wird mir diese nicht zuteil, gehe ich lieber unter, als dass ich um Gnade bitte.“