1. |
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SOLIDARITY Bill Collins Oct 2018
When trouble's coming at you
From nearly every side
You want to do the right thing
No you don't wanna hide
But it don't really make much sense
To face the mob alone
Brothers and sisters at your back
Then you can take ‘em on
And remember.... what they say
Strength in numbers.... wins the day!
So So So Solidarity!
This is no time to eat your own
Our enemy is near
This time it’s really going down
This time the threat is clear
This is no time to argue
No time for petty pride
We need to stand together
To beat the other side
And remember.... what they say
Strength in numbers.... wins the day!
So So So Solidarity!
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2. |
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Which Side Are You On? Florence Reese, 1932
Come all of you good workers - good news to you I'll tell
How that good old union has come in here to dwell
Which side are you on? Which side are you on?
Which side are you on? Which side are you on?
My daddy was a miner - I'm a miner's son
And I'll stick with the union ‘till every battle's won
Which side are you on? Which side are you on?
Which side are you on? Which side are you on?
They say in Harlan County - there is no neutral there
You'll either be a union man or a thug for J.H. Blair
Which side are you on? Which side are you on?
Which side are you on? Which side are you on?
Oh, workers can you stand it? Tell me how you can
Will you be a lousy scab or will you be a man?
Which side are you on? Which side are you on?
Which side are you on? Which side are you on?
Don't scab for the bosses - don't listen to their lies
Us poor folks haven't got a chance unless we organize
Which side are you on? Which side are you on?
Which side are you on? Which side are you on?
Which side are you on? Which side are you on?
Which side are you on? Which side are you on?
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3. |
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SIT DOWN STRIKE (WE WILL NOT BE SCROOGED) ©Bill Collins 1/22/2008
Dedicated to the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers
of Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago
It was 17 days till Christmas and a chill was in the air
In the cafeteria they assembled the workers there
They said “Friday’s your last day – The plant is shutting down
Here’s your 3 day notice – it’s tough luck all around”
CHORUS
It’s a sit down strike, a sit down strike
“We’re not going anywhere“
It’s a sit down strike, a sit down strike
“You won’t get us out of here”
The company won’t pay them - They say the bank won’t let them
Tho’ the bank’s been bailed out they won’t do what’s right (Do What’s Right!)
Tho’ the company won’t pay them – their Union it won’t fail em
They’ve joined together in a sit-down strike
CHORUS
On the very eve of Christmas it was the worst day of their lives
Worrying about their families and how they would survive
The workers they decided to depart they would refuse
Laid off but they’re not leaving – they’d nothing left to lose
CHORUS
“We’ll keep right on defying – The CEO’s been lying
And we don’t think the bank’s been telling us the truth (Tell the Truth!)
They take the buck and pass it – They’re sitting on their assets
So we’ll sit down too – No we will not be scrooged” “
(Repeat 4X)
“Oh we will not -No we will not
No we will not be scrooged“
So all of you employers – a warning take by me
Pay your workers fairly and treat them decently
If you want to send them packing – they might not take a hike
They might just take a notion to have a sit down strike
CHORUS
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4. |
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BRIDGES NOT WALLS ©Bill Collins July 2018
A refugee was my mother – and her family fled
No choice in the matter – it was run or end up dead
Once again the tides of war move us like grains of sand
And people got no place to go – nowhere to make a stand
Bridges not walls - Bridges not walls
Bridges not walls – For the sake of us all
Bridges not walls - Bridges not walls
Bridges not walls – Stand together or we will fall
Down down come the barrel bombs – like a fiery rain
Run run for the border – never see your home again
Risk your life on a leaky craft – fight the rising waves
Go under the wire – or to an unmarked grave
Bridges not walls - Bridges not walls
Bridges not walls – For the sake of us all
Bridges not walls - Bridges not walls
Bridges not walls – Stand together or we will fall
Everywhere the ports are shut – people are turned away
To drown with their children who never learned to play
No human should be illegal – if you think so it’s your shame
For the sake of my mother – I sing this in her name
Bridges not walls - Bridges not walls
Bridges not walls – For the sake of us all
Bridges not walls - Bridges not walls
Bridges not walls – Stand together or we will fall
Stand together or we will fall
Stand together or we will fall
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5. |
Rabble Rousers-A.F.A.B.
02:15
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A.F.A.B. ©2017 Lyrics: Collins/Music: Mayer
A.F.A.B.! A.F.A.B.! A.F.A.B.!
All Fascists Are Bastards!
See them on the streets at night
Marching along in the Tiki light
Dumb red caps and khakis too
Donald Trump and his Nazi crew
Driven by hate – Ruled by fear
Fuck off Fascists get out of here!
All Fascists Are Bastards
All Fascists Are Bastards
All Fascists Are Bastards
Trying to make America great
By teaching America how to hate
Running women down with cars
Blame everything on the Antifa
Driven by hate – Ruled by fear
Fuck off Fascists get out of here!
All Fascists Are Bastards
All Fascists Are Bastards
All Fascists Are Bastards
See them on the streets at night
Marching along in the Tiki light
Dumb red caps and khakis too
Donald Trump and his Nazi crew
Driven by hate – Ruled by fear
Fuck off Fascists get out of here!
All Fascists Are Bastards
All Fascists Are Bastards
All Fascists Are Bastards
All Fascists Are Bastards
All Fascists Are Bastards
All Fascists Are Bastards
All Fascists Are Bastards
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6. |
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Bella Ciao (Traditional, adapted by Collins/Mayer)
Eines Morgens, in aller Frühe,
Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao,
Eines Morgens, in aller Frühe
Trafen wir auf unser'n Feind.
Oh Partisanen, kommt, nehmt mich mit euch,
Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao,
Oh Partisanen, kommt, nehmt mich mit euch
Denn ich fühl', der Tod ist nah.
Wenn ich sterbe, oh ihr Genossen,
Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao,
Wenn ich sterbe, oh ihr Genossen,
Bringt mich dann zur letzten Ruh'!
In den Schatten der kleinen Blume,
Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao,
In den Schatten der kleinen Blume,
In die Berge bringt mich dann!
Und die Leute, die geh'n vorüber,
Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao,
Und die Leute, die geh'n vorüber,
Seh'n die kleine Blume steh'n.
Diese Blume, so sagen alle,
Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao,
Ist die Blume des Partisanen,
Der für uns're Freiheit starb.
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7. |
Rabble Rousers-Civil War
03:49
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CIVIL WAR ©Bill Collins 30 December 2018
All over the world
Unrest is settling
Everywhere you look
The pressure’s coming down
On your TV at home
War’s not threatening
What will you do
When the battlefield’s in your town?
Everywhere the whole world over
Getting ready for a Civil War
America Asia Africa Europa
Getting ready for a Civil War
On the walls – you see the writing
Getting ready for a Civil War
Words break down – then comes the fighting
Getting ready for a Civil War
Where you gonna run
When you got no place to run to?
Where you gonna go
When there’s no safe place to go?
Will you stand and fight
Will you run and hide in a Civil War?
Which side are you on
When the soldiers are at your door?
Are you gonna hide from the rising tide?
Are you gonna bow to the new master?
Will you pick a side – are you gonna fight?
Will you stick around for the disaster?
When the bullets fly – who will you believe?
A petty dictator – a liar and a thief
Neighbor against neighbor – Father against son
Brother against brother – A war that can’t be won
What you gonna do
When it turns out your neighbor informed on you?
Sister’s gone missing –
We hope that she’s on the run
Mother stares dead-eyed
At her white picket fence burning in a pile
Is that really your brother
In the crosshairs of your gun?
Learn to recognize the uniform
Of the right militia
Pray that you have the right pass
When the checkpoint comes
They’ll pull you right out of the car
Right there and they’ll teach you
Life is cheap
When justice on the street is done
Everywhere the whole world over
Getting ready for a Civil War
America Asia Africa Europa
Getting ready for a Civil War
On the walls – you see the writing
Getting ready for a Civil War
Words break down then comes the fighting
Getting ready for a
Civil War….
Civil War….
Civil War….
Civil War…. Getting ready for a Civil War
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8. |
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NEW HARD TIMES ©2/20/2008 Bill Collins
We’ve heard the same old songs so many times
That we don’t hear the words – we don’t pay no mind
The time is now – so where are the brand-new rhymes?
To the youth those stories don’t make much sense
They’re all about the past, not the present tense
The good old days –we’ve long kissed them goodbye
CHORUS:
New hard times
These are the new hard times
New hard times
In the neighborhoods in the summer heat
Where the children gun each other down in the street
It’s survival of the fittest – so who’ll be the next in line?
We’ve seen the same old programs so many times
Our eyes so numb we might as well be blind
Just change that channel – and pacify your mind
CHORUS
They say that everyone’s equal in the USA
Well some are lots more equal - don’t it seem that way
When we see our leaders - living a life of crime?
When elections get stolen just like loot
And we all get suckered into war to boot
Those good old days – we’ve left them far behind
CHORUS
Good old days are far behind
Say hello to the new hard times (repeat)
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9. |
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FASCISTS BOUND TO LOSE - Woody Guthrie
Well I’m gonna tell you Fascists –
You may be surprised
People in this world
Are getting organized
You’re bound to lose – you Fascists bound to lose
All of you Fascists bound to lose
All of you Fascists bound to lose
All of you Fascists bound to lose
You’re bound to lose – you Fascists bound to lose
There’s people in every nation
Marching side by side
Marching cross the fields
Where a million fascists died
You’re bound to lose – you Fascists bound to lose
All of you Fascists bound to lose
All of you Fascists bound to lose
All of you Fascists bound to lose
You’re bound to lose – you Fascists bound to lose
Alle ihr Faschisten werdet verlieren
Alle ihr Faschisten werdet verlieren
Alle ihr Faschisten werdet verlieren
Ihr werdet verlieren - Faschisten werden verlieren
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10. |
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ONE-WAY TICKET TO BREMEN ©Bill Collins 16 July 2018
I miss those streets with the cobblestones
Down by the Weser I can sit my bones
Where the cats are cool and the gals are hip
I know right now - I need to make that trip
I got a one-way ticket to Bremen
I got a one-way ticket to Bremen
I got a one-way ticket to Bremen I’m coming home
Bremen is the place I feel at home
When I get the blues they never do stay long
I just take a walk down the Ostertor
Five minutes later got the blues no more
CHORUS
Down at the Bumpers - the Haifi too
Even at the Eisen they’ll be drinking brew
Toasting schnapps and draining cups
Look out! You might be there when the sun comes up
CHORUS
I love you once - I love you twice
I love you - damn near half of my life
You always were my kind of town
It’s high time I got back there and settled down
CHORUS
Donkey and the dog know where it’s at
Move over rooster – here comes Bill the Cat
Rocking the blues – having fun
Bremen town musicians now I am one
CHORUS
I got a one-way ticket (one-way ticket)
I got a one-way ticket (one-way ticket)
I got a one-way ticket to Bremen cause it’s been too long....
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11. |
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AMERICA YOU BROKE MY HEART ©Bill Collins 16 July2018
It was the day after Valentines that I made up my mind
I was driving home in my car when I decided to leave you behind
It came to me all in a flash - then I knew what to do
It was time my chips to cash ‘cause: it’s not me it’s you
I’ve said my goodbyes to you but
I truly wish you well
America you broke my heart
You broke my heart I had to leave you
America you broke my heart
You broke my heart and now I’m really gone
You were a mean mistreater - I looked the other way
Just a liar and a cheater - I don’t know why I stayed
For you I made excuses when talking to my friends
What it comes down to, the truth is: this drama had to end
I’ve said my goodbyes to you but
I truly wish you well
America you broke my heart
You broke my heart I had to leave you
America you broke my heart
You broke my heart and now I’m really gone
I got my one-way ticket - I’m getting on a plane
It might be a long long time - before I see you again
Things are a whole lot clearer - now I don’t wake in fear
You’re in my rearview mirror now - and I’m out of here
I’ve said my goodbyes to you but
I truly wish you well
America you broke my heart
You broke my heart I had to leave you
America you broke my heart
You broke my heart and now I’m really gone
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12. |
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CASH IS GONE ©Bill Collins 10/08/03
He blazed a trail in Memphis that led to Rock and Roll
He was the living breathing voice of Country heart and soul
He wouldn’t back down from the truth - no, not without a fight
He stood up for the common folk and what he knew was right
CHORUS:
Well I didn’t know the singer
No I only knew his song
But the world’s a little darker
Now Johnny Cash is gone
His spirit’s flown – His song goes on – Cash is gone
Spirit’s flown – Song goes on – Cash is gone
He carried out a little bit of darkness on his back
Who else could knock on the doors of the Pearly Gates wearing black?
He’s passed into the greater light into the arms of June
A singer when his muse is gone is a man without a tune
CHORUS
What happens when the legends die? That’s something we must face
Well I know if there’s a Heaven there’s an angel singing bass
Now Johnny we all miss you – no, we’ll never be the same
So I’ll raise my glass to the Man in Black - and I’ll drink to your name
CHORUS
Spirit’s flown – Song goes on – Cash is gone
Spirit’s flown – Song goes on – Cash is gone
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13. |
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WATER ME IN ©Bill Collins March 11 2013
I’ve come a long ways and I’m glad to be here
When I see some old friends - soon they’ll buy me a beer
I’d set my roots down here if I only could
But a visit every six years is still pretty good
CHORUS:
So water me in, me BOBS - water me in
I won’t feel it home till I’m well watered in
BATH! OAKLAND! BREMEN! and kin
Come buy me a drink, me BOBs - water me in
My dearest of friends we are more worn of face
Aren’t we all just survivors of our own rat race?
But here among family we all understand:
We still just can’t wait for the start of the band
CHORUS
They say you can choose friends but not family
Well I beg to differ - I must disagree
Most have but one hometown but we all have three
And it’s been 21 years of the BOB family!
CHORUS
Now when I am dead part my ashes in three
And strew one third round in the old West country
Toss a third to the wind in the East Bay for me
And the rest in the Viertel! In Bremen city
So water me in, me BOBS - water me in
I won’t feel it home till I’m well watered in
BATH! OAKLAND! BREMEN! and kin
Come buy me a drink, me BOBs - water me in
Come buy me a drink, me BOBs - water me in
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14. |
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TRUMP YOU LIAR (YOU’RE FUCKING FIRED)
Original Lyrics (Wir Wollen Keine Bullenschweine):
Michael Mayer 1979
Translation/revision: Bill Collins 2017
All the fascism in this land
Is really getting out of hand
Since Donald Trump has come to power
It’s getting worse every passing hour
It’s like it’s nineteen thirty-two
And Donald wants to be a Führer too
He wants to build a new Fourth Reich
For the greedy, the rich and white
We’ll hit the streets like you’ve never seen
Before you drench the world in gasoline
Before we bow to your master race
We’ll punch a Nazi in the face!
Trump you liar – You’re fucking fired
Trump you liar – You’re fucking fired
It’s like it’s nineteen eighty-four
He’s marching us down the road to war
Yes is no and black means white
Truth is lies and might makes right
His daddy was in the KKK
Fake news is all he has to say
Demonstrators getting thrown in jail
But we will fight you back until you fail
We’ll hit the streets like you’ve never seen
Before you drench the world in gasoline
Before we bow to your master race
We’ll punch a Nazi in the face!
Trump you liar – You’re fucking fired
Trump you liar – You’re fucking fired
We’ll hit the streets like you’ve never seen
Before you drench the world in gasoline
Before we bow to your master race
We’ll punch a Nazi in the face!
Trump you liar – You’re fucking fired
Trump you liar – You’re fucking fired
Time to retire – Trump You’re fucking fired
Time to retire – Trump You’re fucking fired
Lock Him Up!
Lock Him Up!
Lock Him Up!
Lock Him Up!
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15. |
Rabble Rousers-Bremen
02:39
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BREMEN (YOU’RE OK, MAN) ©2018 Bill Collins
Bremen – I think you’re ok, man
Oh Bremen – You’re all right with me
Bremen – I think you’re ok, man
Oh Bremen – You’re all right with me
You welcomed me from the day we met
Showed your open arms to me
And I don’t care if you’re a little wet
‘Cause you are my family
Rain may fall – but it won’t bring you down
There’s no place I love like Bremen town
Bremen – I think you’re ok, man
Oh Bremen – You’re all right with me
Bremen – I think you’re ok, man
Oh Bremen – You’re all right with me
The clouds are grey from day to day
But still you see the light
You don’t need a clear blue sky
To keep your spirits bright
Rain may fall – but it won’t bring you down
There’s no place I love like Bremen town
Bremen – I think you’re ok, man
Oh Bremen – You’re all right with me
Bremen – I think you’re ok, man
Oh Bremen – You’re all right with me
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16. |
Rabble Rousers-Try On
03:51
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TRY ON Heiko Schrepel/Bill Collins April 6, 2015
I stare out of the window….
I fear I lay next to a ghost
It’s empty in bed I lay alone….
She’s six feet underground
Days that go by I can’t pretend to realize
The rain that fell on you and I
It never felt the same After the day we met
When cold as Hell we smiled
Chorus:
In trouble that seems to have no end
What reason is it I have to move on?
Wait – there’s that whisper again
Try on……try on…..try on
After a little while…
We touched and felt the sun
It’s colder every day…
The memory seems to fade….
I think I’m losing my mind
Chorus
Woke up late this morning….
Something just didn’t feel right
Was it a picture of you….
That made me sleep so tight?
Such words I never thought I’d hear before
Chorus
I sit alone in crowded rooms….
With eyes that good friends never knew
Such a shame to look the fool….
In the face they never knew
How many times
Can one break their own heart – cause I don’t mind
How many times
Can one break their own heart – it kills me every time
Chorus
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