“Song of the Guaranteed Wage” Sheet Music (pdf).
“Song of the Guaranteed Wage” Karaoke (midi with lyrics).
Lyrics: Joe Glazer and Ruby McDonald.
Tune: “Sweet Betsy from Pike.”
I’ll tell you the story of Jonathan Tweed,
Who had a good wife and four children to feed.
His wages bought food and a place they could bunk.
But during a layoff, poor Johnny was sunk.
Yes, during a layoff, poor Johnny was sunk.
When Johnny was working, he’d get along fine.
But when he was laid off, he’d worry and pine.
He did not get paid, but his bills did not cease.
No wonder poor Johnny could not sleep in peace.
No wonder poor Johnny could not sleep in peace.
Now, Jonathan Tweed said, “There must be a way
To guarantee workers a regular pay.”
And that’s when he thought of a guaranteed plan.
The union backed him, and the struggle began.
The union backed him, and the struggle began.
Said Jonathan Tweed, “Now, there’s one thing quite queer:
The bosses get paid every week in the year.
But now when we ask for a guaranteed wage,
They rant and they roar and break out in a rage.
They rant and they roar and break out in a rage.”
“Now, wife, if we win it, our future is clear.
We’ll draw up our budget with confidence, dear.
And children, at last, you can live unafraid
When you know your daddy will always get paid.
You’ll know that your daddy will always get paid.”
Come all of you workers, pray listen, take heed,
For this is the messsage of Jonathan Tweed:
Though big corporations may bellow and rage,
We’ll stand up and fight for a guaranteed wage.
We’ll stand up and fight for a guaranteed wage.