Joe Hill Lives

From Susan O:

I often start the day by posting a significant event of the day on Twitter--from Benjamin opening the first subscription library on Nov. 8, 1731 to six-year-old Ruby Bridges integrating William Frantz Public School in New Orleans in November 1960. Ruby told Robert Coles "I knew I was just Ruby, just Ruby trying to go to school...the Ruby who had to do it" 

Today is November 19, 2013, and let's think about Joe Hill who died by firing squad on Nov. 19, 1915

by Susan Ohanian 

Each version of this famous labor song gives information you're unlikely to find in the Common Core. 



1.1915 Joe Hill faced firing squad. Hear Paul Robeson singing "Joe Hill" 



2. "Takes more than guns to kill a man" Says Joe "I didn't die" Says Joe "I didn't die": Joan Baez 



3. 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. Pete Seeger 



4. Now, the strikes were bloody and the strikes
Were black as hard as they were long
In the dark of night Joe would stay awake and write
In the morning he would raise them with a song
In the morning he would raise them with a song

Paul Ochs 



5. Joe McCutcheon explains why he sang "Joe Hill" in Australia. . . and sings the song. 
Here is the transcript. 



6. 1960 Paul Robeson sings labor songs for workers at Sydney Opera House, including "Joe Hill." 

Joe Hill & Mother Jones put their lives right on the line... Are those days forgotten, Or will some of us dare to be another link in the chain?