Union Songs

When We Rest

A Song by George Mann©George Mann 2004

Rest, Papa rest, the work is finally done
The whistle and the wind have blown, the moon has chased the sun
The babes are fed, the rent is paid, our union contract's won
So rest tonight, Papa rest

For twenty years you labored in Virginia City's mines
For twenty years you rarely saw the afternoon sunshine
The gold dust bled into your lungs -- you said better yours than mine
So rest tonight, Papa rest

God bless the miner's union for the work that they have done
But it's a constant battle to protect what we have won
For the bosses start to thinking they have got us on the run
When we rest, Papa when we rest

Your fingernails are clean, the boots are off your feet
Coyotes sing a lonely song as you enjoy your sleep
They might have beat your body but your soul they can't defeat
So rest tonight, Papa rest

God bless the miner's union for the work that they have done
But it's a constant battle to protect what we have won
For the bosses start to thinking they have got us on the run
When we rest, Papa when we rest

So lay down tonight, you needn't have a care
The union that you fought to build is standing tall down there
You saw gold and silver when we didn't have a prayer
So rest tonight, Papa rest

I'll come to you with gratitude for all the years you slaved
I'll come to you with thanks for all the dollars that you saved
I'll come to you each Sunday to put flowers on your grave
So rest tonight, Papa rest
Rest tonight, Papa rest
Rest tonight, Papa rest

Notes

Many thanks to George Mann for permission to add this song to the Union Songs collection.

George writes:
"Julius is 90 and still going strong! We did a third "Hail to the Thief" anti-Bush CD last year and I have a new solo CD coming out soon. I'm attaching lyrics from a recent song ("When We Rest") about the miners in Virginia City, late 1800s, who fought for a union, in case you can add it to the songs page."

Visit the George Mann and Julius Margolin website http://www.georgeandjulius.com

Find more of George's work here: George Mann

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union songs..........a selection by mark gregory