“When You Wear That Button” Sheet Music (pdf).
“When You Wear That Button” Karaoke (midi with lyrics).
Lyrics: Richard Brazier.
Tune: “When You Wore a Tulip.”
I met him in Dakota when the harvesting was o’er;
A “Wob” he was, I saw by the button that he wore.
He was talking to a bunch of slaves in the jungles by the tracks.
He said, “You guys whose homes are on your backs,
Why don’t you stick together with the “Wobblies” in one band
And fight to change conditions for the workers in this land?”
“When you wear that button, the “Wobblies’” red button
And carry their red, red card,
No need to hike, boys, along these old pikes, boys,
Every “Wobbly” will be your pard.
The boss will be leery; the “stiffs” will be cheery
When we hit John Farmer hard.
They will all be affrighted when we stand united
And carry that red, red card.”
The “stiffs” all seemed delighted when they heard him talk that way.
They said, “We need more pay and a shorter working day.”
The “Wobbly” said, “You’ll get these things without the slightest doubt,
If you’ll organize to knock the bosses out.
If you’ll join the One Big Union and wear their badge of liberty,
You’ll strike that blow all slaves must strike if they would be free.”
“When you wear that button, the “Wobblies’” red button
And carry their red, red card,
No need to hike, boys, along these old pikes, boys,
Every “Wobbly” will be your pard.
The boss will be leery; the “stiffs” will be cheery
When we hit John Farmer hard.
They will all be affrighted when we stand united
And carry that red, red card.”
“When you wear that button, the “Wobblies’” red button
And carry their red, red card,
No need to hike, boys, along these old pikes, boys,
Every “Wobbly” will be your pard.
The boss will be leery; the “stiffs” will be cheery
When we hit John Farmer hard.
They will all be affrighted when we stand united
And carry that red, red card.”