“To Frank H. Little”
Lyrics: Phillips Russell.
Tune: Unknown.
We’ll remember you, Frank Little!
They couldn’t still your voice, so they strangled it;
They couldn’t chill your heart, so they stopped it.
They couldn’t dam your life blood, so they spilled it.
We’ll remember you, Frank Little!
They didn’t come in the broad of day and warn you
That in a world being made safe for democracy there was no safety for you.
In the dead of night, they came and pounced on you.
Dragged you out as if you were an animal
Without daring to let you put your clothes on or bind up your broken leg.
They spared you no indignity; they withheld from you no shame.
Afterward, no doubt, they washed their hands with the air of men
Who’ve done their bit in the cause of freedom.
We’ll remember you, Frank Little!
The papers said: “So far as known, he made no outcry.”
No, not you, half Indian, half white man, all I. W. W.
You’d have died a thousand deaths before you’d have cried aloud
Or whimpered once to let them enjoy your pain.
We’ll remember you, Frank Little!
Long after the workers have made the world safe for Labor,
We’ll repeat your name and remember that you died for us.
The red flag that you dropped, a million hands will carry on;
The cause that you loved, a million tongues will voice.
Good-bye, Frank Little! Indian, white man, Wobbly true,
Valiant soldier of the great Red Army, we’ll remember you!