“A Little Song about Charity” Sheet Music (pdf).
“A Little Song about Charity” Karaoke (midi with lyrics).
Lyrics: Thomas McGrath.
Tune: “Matty Groves.”
The boss came ’round at Christmas.
He was smiling like a lamb.
He made me a present of a pair of gloves.
And then cut off my hands.
Oh, then, he cut off my hands.
The boss came ’round on my birthday
With some shoes of a rich man’s brand.
He smiled like a priest, and he cut off my feet.
Then, he said, “Go out and dance.”
Oh, he said, “Go out and dance.”
The boss came ’round on May Day.
He said, “You may parade.”
Then, his cops shot us down on the open street.
And they clubbed us into jail.
Oh, then, they clubbed us into jail.
The preacher says on Sunday,
“Turn ye the other cheek.”
Don’t turn it to the boss on Monday morn.
He may knock out all your teeth.
Oh, he may knock out all your teeth.
So, listen to me, workers.
When the boss seems kind and good,
Remember that the stain on the cutting tool
Is nothing but your blood.
Oh, it is nothing but your blood.
If you love your wife and daughters,
And if you love your sons,
And if you love the working class,
Then keep your love at home.
Don’t waste it on the cockroach boss.
But keep your love at home.
Oh, workers, keep your love at home.