“It’s Better with a Union Man” Sheet Music (pdf).
“It’s Better with a Union Man” Karaoke (midi with lyrics).
Lyrics: Harold Rome.
Tune: Harold Rome.
Oh, list’ to the story I sing you
Of everything that came to pass
To Bertha, the sewing machine girl,
A winsome and class-conscious lass.
As sweet as the flowers in springtime,
She worked at the men’s pants machine,
Her sweetheart close by at another,
While union love blossomed serene.
One day, little Bertha was sewing,
Not knowing that danger was near.
A villain espied her and paused there beside her:
A non-union man with a leer.
Oh, it’s better with a union man!
It’s better with a union man!
You’ll live to regret if you ever forget
This motto proletarian!
So, always be upon your guard!
Demand to see a union card!
You’ll never go wrong if you follow this plan.
It’s better with a union man!
His manners were oily and polished.
He asked little Bertha to dine
And charmed her with sweet conversation
And fiendishly plied her with wine.
As Bertha was sewing her wild oats
’Midst black caviar and champagne,
Her true union lover was waiting
At Local Sixteen all in vain.
Alas, she forgot all the precepts,
Which for working girls are correct.
That non-union cad, he was thoroughly bad.
He did just what you all would expect.
Oh, it’s better with a union man!
It’s better with a union man!
You’ll live to regret if you ever forget
This motto proletarian!
So, always be upon your guard!
Demand to see a union card!
You’ll never go wrong if you follow this plan.
It’s better with a union man!
Poor, sweet, innocent little Bertha,
She didn’t suspect that this guy,
Contrary to all union bylaws,
Had six other wives on the sly.
Oh, many the lies that he told her.
That slicker had some gift of gab.
And fin’lly at midnight, they ran off:
Eloped in a non-union cab!
This villain lured her to a hotel
And there tried to soil her good name.
Her true love pursued her, broke in and rescued her,
Just in time to hear her exclaim:
Oh, it’s better with a union man!
It’s better with a union man!
You’ll live to regret if you ever forget
This motto proletarian!
So, always be upon your guard!
Demand to see a union card!
You’ll never go wrong if you follow this plan.
It’s better with a union man!