“Ludlow Massacre” Sheet Music (pdf).
“Ludlow Massacre” Karaoke (midi with lyrics).
Lyrics: Alfred Hayes.
Tune: Earl Robinson.
Now, folks, let me tell you a story, about a terrible crime
That was done in Ludlow, Colorado, to the men that work in the mine.
Our children, they were so hungry; our wives were thin and worn;
We were striking ’gainst a rich man: meanest ever was born.
John D., he’d stacks of money; John D., he’d silver and gold;
John D., he was warm in winter, while mining folks went cold.
He sent down his hired gunmen; they’d orders to shoot on sight;
He sent down troops with helmets to break the miners’ fight.
John D., he was a Christian; John D., the psalms he sung;
But he’d no mercy in his heart; he shot down old and young.
One night when all were sleeping, all wrapped up in their dreams,
We heard a loud explosion; we heard most terrible screams.
“Oh, save us from the burning flames!” We heard our children cry;
But John D. laughed and shot them down right there before our eyes.
Folks the country over and mining camps around,
Their hearts got sick with pity at what happened in our town.
It was a terrible crime to do; it was an awful thing;
And mining men like me made up this little song to sing.
To sing it to the people, poor folks that work and sweat;
What John D. did in Ludlow, they never should forget.
It was just a downright murder; I ain’t afraid to say;
It was done by a man with money; and they always get away.
So, folks, you heard my story about the Ludlow crime
That was done in Colorado to the men that work in the mine.