# Songs of the Workers (9th edition)

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* related authors: Joe Hill
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THE PREAMBLE Of the Industrial Workers of the World
The working class and the employing class have nothing in common. There can be no peace so long as hunger and want are found among millions of working people and the few, who make up the employing class have all the good things of life.
Between these two classes a struggle must go on until the workers of the world organize as a class, take possession of the earth and the machinery of production, and abolish the wage system.
We find that the centering of management of the industries into fewer and fewer hands makes the trade unions unable to cope with the ever growing power of the employing class. The trade unions foster a state of affairs which allows one set of workers to be pitted against another set of workers in the same industry, thereby helping defeat one another in wage wars. Moreover, the trade unions aid the employing class to mislead the workers into the belief that the working class have interests in common with their employers.
These conditions can be changed and the interest of the working class upheld only by an organization formed in such a way that all its members in any one industry, or in all industries if necessary, cease work whenever a strike or lockout is on in any department thereof, thus making an injury to one an injury to all.
Instead of the conservative motto, "A fair day's wage for a fair day's work," we must inscribe on our banner the revolutionary watchword, "Abolition of the wage system."
It is the historic mission of the working class to do away with capitalism. The army of production must be organized, not only for the every-day struggle with capitalists, but also to carry on production when capitalism shall have been overthrown. By organizing industrially we are forming the structure of the new society within the shell of the old.
SONGS OF THE WORKERS
ON THE ROAD IN THE JUNGLES AND IN THE SHOPS
NINTH EDITION
CLEVELAND
I. W. W. PUBLISHING BUREAU
MARCH, 1916
INDEX
JOE HILL.
Murdered by the Authorities of the State of Utah, November the 19th, 1915.
High head and back unbending—fearless and true, Into the night unending; why was it you?
Heart that was quick with song, torn with their lead; Life that was young and strong, shattered and dead.
Singer of manly songs, laughter and tears; Singer of Labor's wrongs, joys, hopes and fears.
Though you were one of us, what could we do? Joe, there were none of us needed like you.
We gave, however small, what Life could give; We would have given all that you might live.
Your death you held as naught, slander and shame; We from the very thought shrank as from flame.
Each of us held his breath, tense with despair, You, who were close to Death, seemed not to care.
White-handed loathsome power, knowing no pause, Sinking in labor's flower, murderous claws;
Boastful, with leering eyes, blood-dripping jaws . . . Accurst be the cowardice hidden in laws!
Utah has drained your blood; white hands are wet; We of the "surging flood" NEVER FORGET!
Our songster! have your laws now had their fill? Know, ye, his songs and cause ye cannot kill.
High head and back unbending—"rebel true blue," Into the night unending; why was it you?
Ralph Chaplin.
HOW TO JOIN THE I. W. W.
Any wage worker wishing to become a member of the Industrial Workers of the World, may proceed in the following manner:
1. If you live in a locality where there is a union of your industry already in existence, apply to the secretary of that local union. He will furnish you with an application blank containing the Preamble to the I. W. W. Constitution and the two questions which each candidate must answer in the affirmative. The questions are as follows:
"Do you agree to abide by the constitution and regulations of this organization?"
"Will you diligently study its principles and make yourself acquainted with its purposes?"
The initiation fee is fixed by the Local Union, but cannot be more than $5.00 in any instance, and is usually $2.00 or less. The monthly dues cannot exceed $1.00 and are in most locals 50 cents.
2. If there is no Local Union of the I. W. W. in your vicinity, you may become a Member-at-Large by making application to the General Secretary, whose address is given below. You will be required to answer affirmatively the two above questions, and pay an initiation fee of $2.00. The monthly dues are $1.00 for Members-at-Large.
3. Better still, write to the General Secretary for a Charter Application Blank. Get no less than TWENTY signatures thereon, of bona fide wage workers in any one industry and send the charter application with the names to the General Secretary, with the $10.00 charter fee. Supplies, constitutions and instructions will then be sent you, and you can proceed to organize the local.
Join the I. W. W. Do it now!
The address of the General Secretary-Treasurer of the I. W. W. is, Wm. D. Haywood, 307-164 W. Washington Street, Chicago, Ill.
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* STICKERETTES
* Eleven different original designs drawn especially for this purpose by Chaplin. All are printed in red and black ink on the best non-curling gummed paper in sizes averaging only 2x2 inches. Small packages put up in waxed envelopes containing 10 each of the 11 different designs or a total of 110 STICKERETTES. Larger packages of 10 of these envelopes put up in paste board boxes, a total of 1100 STICKERETTES. Two prices,15c for a small envelope of 110, or $1.00 for a box of 1100. These may be obtained in Quantities from any Local Union or direct, postpaid, from The I. W. W. Publishing Bureau.
* Industrial Union Literature
* Too great a number of titles of books, pamphlets, leaflets, etc, are now furnished by the Publishing Bureau to allow their listing here in limited space. Innearly every town there are either Local Organizations of the I. W. W. or Newsdealers who carry a complete stock of the literature on this subject.
* An Introductory Package of literature the regular value of which is $1.00 is offered to those wishing to make a preliminary study of this subject and the I. W. W. at 50c postpaid. The package contains one each of eleven pamphlets and also a copy of the Song Book and Assorted Leaflets.
* A complete list and prices of both the reading matter and other special mediums of propaganda such as I. W. W. Pennants, special designs in stickers, Pictures, Sheet Music, photograhhs and post cards will be sent free to any address on receipt of request.
* I. W. W. Publishing Bureau
* 112 Hamilton Av.,CLEVELAND, OHIO
SOLIDARITY
The Official English Organ Of The Industrial Workers Of The World
A GLANCE through the files of Solidarity for the last six years presents a vivid picture of the activities of The Labor Movement during this period, and the rise and development of The Industrial Union Idea to the promise of today. Intimate first hand accounts of all the stirring action; records of the accumulating experiences and theories tested—all have made Solidarity the one real live news and educational paper of the revolutionary labor movement. This year it is to be better than ever. Commencing with the issue of May first, we expect to change the form to that of the large magazine style of sixteen interesting pages each week. It will still remain "A Newspaper of The Labor Movement" but with more room for a greater variety of appeal.
A Dollar Bill Sent Today At Our Risk Will Bring You Solidarity For The Next Fifty Two Weeks.
Published Weekly By I. W. W. Publishing Bureau 112 Hamilton Av., Cleveland, Ohio, U. S. A.
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This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1930.
This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
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