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"Where the Fraser River Flows"
One of Hill's most memorable ballads takes its inspiration from striking construction workers in British Columbia.
Listen to a RealAudio file of "Where the Fraser River Flows" performed by a contemporary folksinger, Utah Phillips (Courtesy: Rounder Records Corp.)
To listen to this RealAudio file, download a free version of RealPlayer.
Lyrics:
Fellow workers, pay attention
To what I'm gonna mention,
For it is the fixed Intention
Of the Workers of the World,
And I Hope you'll all be ready,
Truehearted, brave and steady,
To rally 'round the standard
W hen the Red Flag is unfurled.Where the Fraser River flows,
Each fellow worker knows,
They have bullied and oppressed us,
But still our Union grows.
And we're going to find a way, boys;
For shorter hours and better pay, boys;
And we're going to win the day, boys;
Where the River Fraser flows.
For these gunny-sack contractors
Have all been dirty actors,
And they're not our benefactors,
Each fellow worker knows.
So we've got to stick together
In fine or dirty weather,
And we will show no white feather,
Where the Fraser River flows.
Now the boss the law is stretching,
Bulls and pimps he's fetching,
And they are a fine collection,
A s Jesus only knows.
But why their mothers reared them,
And why the devil spared them,
Are questions we can't answer,
Where the Fraser River flows.
"Where the Fraser River Flows" was written by Joe Hill
About the Program || Joe Hill Home || PBS Home
