John Simkin Posted July 7, 2004 Author Share Posted July 7, 2004 When he heard that he was to be executed Joe Hill sent a message to Bill Haywood saying: "Goodbye Bill. I die like a true blue rebel. Don't waste any time in mourning. Organize." He also asked Haywood to arrange his funeral: "Could you arrange to have my body hauled to the state line to be buried? I don't want to be found dead in Utah." Hill last act before his death was to write the poem, My Last Will. Joe Hill, My Last Will (November, 1915) My will is easy to decide, For there is nothing to divide. My kin don't need to fuss and moan - "Moss does not cling to a rolling stone." My body? - Oh! - If I could choose, I would to ashes it reduce, And let the merry breezes blow My dust to where some flowers grow. Perhaps some fading flower then Would come to life and bloom again. This is my last and final will. Good luck to all of you. In 1925 Alfred Hayes wrote a poem about the death of Joe Hill. In 1950 Earl Robinson turned it into a song, I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill Last Night. It was made popular by Paul Robeson who was blacklisted for his left-wing views in the 1950s I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, Alive as you or me Says I, "But Joe, you're ten years dead," "I never died," says he "I never died," says he "In Salt Lake, Joe," says I to him, 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," says 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 Joe says, "What they forgot to kill Went on to organize, Went on to organize." "Joe Hill ain't dead," he says to me, "Joe Hill ain't never died. Where working men are out on strike Joe Hill is at their side, Joe Hill is at their side." "From San Diego up to Maine, In every mine and mill, Where workers strike and organize," Says he, "You'll find Joe Hill," Says he, "You'll find Joe Hill." I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, Alive as you or me Says I, "But Joe, you're ten years dead," "I never died," says he "I never died," says he To find out more about Joe Hill and Paul Robeson see: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAhillJ.htm http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USArobeson.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Wharton (2) Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 Here's a list of songs that I compiled for a History colleague at a previous school for use in the classroom. He tended to perfrom most of them himself with guitar accompaniment. Industrial Folksongs Weavers songs The Four Loom Weaver - conditions Poverty Knock - conditions Miners Songs The Collier's Rant - Fantasy of better working conditions The Durham Strike - The story of the Durham strike in 1892 The Collier Lass - Children in the mines The Haswell Cages - Pride in work Jowl, Jowl and listen - Pride in work The Greshford Disater - Mine Explosion 1934 Navvies Poor Paddy works on the Railway If anyone wants the music and lyrics, let me know and I'll scan them for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Wharton (2) Posted July 18, 2004 Share Posted July 18, 2004 A colleague at a previous school and I compiled a group of songs to illustrate life during the industrial revolution. The titles and topics of the songs are below but if anyone would want a copy of words and music please contact me and I'll scan them for you. Industrial Revolution - Workers songs. Weavers The Four Loom Weaver - poverty Poverty Knock - Life as a weaver using an early mechanical 'Dobbie' Loom which seemed to make the sound 'poverty knock', hence the refrain. Miners Songs The collier's rant - a picture of 19th century mining life The Durham Strike - written in the 13th week of the 1892 strike not long before it collapsed The Collier Lass - Children in the mines (outlawed 1842) Haswell Cages - Pride in work & technical detail Jowl, Jowl and listen - passing on safety advice. The Greshford Disaster - 1934 mine accident Trimdon Grange Explosion - 1884 mine accident Navvies Poor Paddy works on the railway Nail Makers The nailmakers strike - references to conditions and comparision with the anti slavery movement The Knocker Up Once an important man in mining and mill towns, before alarm clocks! I wonder if someone has written a song 'The Ofsted Inspector'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Barnard Posted March 3, 2005 Share Posted March 3, 2005 Hi, Some great ideas there. You might also want to look at the American Rock n Roll Hall of Fame that has many suggestions in this vein. In the teacher's area there are lesson plans etc www.rockhall.com Chris Barnard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now