John Golden and the Lawrence Strike

In Lawrence, when the starving masses struck for more to eat

And wooden-headed Wood tried the strikers to defeat,

To Sammy Gompers wrote and asked him what he thought,

And this is just the answer that the mailman brought :

 

refrain

A little talk —

A little talk with Golden

Makes it all right, all right ;

He’ll settle any strike,

If there’s coin enough in sight ;

Just take him up to dine

And everything is fine —

A little talk with Golden

Makes it right, all right.

 

The preachers, cops and money-kings were working hand in hand,

The boys in blue, with stars and stripes were sent by Uncle Sam ;

Still things were looking blue ’cause every striker knew

That weaving cloth with bayonets is hard to do.

 

John Golden had with Mr. Wood a private interview,

He told him how to bust up the “I double double U.”

He came out in a while and wore the Golden smile.

He said : “I’ve got all labor leaders skinned a mile.”

 

John Golden pulled a bogus strike with all his “pinks and stools.”

He thought the rest would follow like a bunch of crazy fools.

But to his great surprise the “foreigners” were wise,

In one big solid union they were organized.

final refrain

That’s one time Golden did not

Make it right, all right ;

In spite of all his schemes

The strikers won the fight.

When all the workers stand

United hand in hand,

The world with all its wealth

Shall be at their command.