If our faith does not throw us into the arms of the world, if it does not lead to our experience of responsibility, love, celebration, and our commitment to transformation, then, whatever we call it, we have nothing but an empty shell. Pete Rollins (Insurrection)
Joe Hill (1879 – 1915) was a labor activist, songwriter, and member of the Industrial Workers of the World. An immigrant worker frequently facing unemployment and underemployment, became a popular songwriter and cartoonist for the union.
Hill was convicted of murder in a controversial trial. Following an unsuccessful appeal, political debates, and international calls for clemency from high-profile figures, Hill was executed in November 1915.
One of his most famous songs is "The Preacher and the Slave" a parody of Joseph Webster’s hymn "The Sweet By and By". Hill composed his response because migrant workers would often be greeted by the Salvation Army singing "The Sweet By and By" as they returned to the city each evening after having worked all day in dire conditions. The original hymn told them that life would begin after death. For Hill, life was possible before death, but only as we put our shoulder to the plow of historical struggle and fight for equality here and now.
"The Preacher and the Slave" Joe Hill
Long-haired preachers come out every night,
Try to tell you what's wrong and what's right;
But when asked how 'bout something to eat
They will answer in voices so sweet
Chorus (sung as a call and response)
You will eat [You will eat] bye and bye [bye and bye]
In that glorious land above the sky [Way up high]
Work and pray [Work and pray] live on hay [live on hay]
You'll get pie in the sky when you die [That's a lie!]
Holy Rollers and Jumpers come out
And they holler, they jump and they shout
Give your money to Jesus, they say,
He will cure all diseases today
(Chorus)
And the Starvation Army, they play,
And they sing and they clap and they pray,
Till they get all your coin on the drum,
Then they tell you when you're on the bum
(Chorus)
If you fight hard for children and wife
Try to get something good in this life
You're a sinner and bad man, they tell,
When you die you will sure go to hell.
(Chorus)
Workingmen of all countries, unite
Side by side we for freedom will fight
When the world and its wealth we have gained
To the grafters we'll sing this refrain
Chorus (modified)
You will eat [You will eat] bye and bye [bye and bye]
When you've learned how to cook and how to fry [How to fry]
Chop some wood [Chop some wood], 'twill do you good [do you good]
Then you'll eat in the sweet bye and bye [That's no lie]
Today I will let Pete and Joe dominate this post. I am weak and sick and tired and have little energy to contribute to this forty day commitment to write something. All I can say.... beautiful song, Joe!
