1913 Massacre pt. II

Back in 1913 I was just 22

and I done what them boss men told me to do

had my nose in the air and a fine suit of clothes

warm in the winter when that great lake wind blows

copper was gold back here in them days

and money can put a man's mind in a haze

so keep them mines open the man said and with glee

said "you know where they on this christmas eve"

they said them strikers ain't like us you see

they come to this country to replace you and me

so give 'em a scare so they will know

when they can come and where they can go

Now I'm an old man and to hell will I go

for the blood of children taken so long ago

my grandson says, "papa, I don't want you to die"

I swear that little boy always makes me cry

Folks come to say that I've led a good life

with many fine children and a wonderful wife

but the secrets you keep bring a man to his knees

so listen dear Lord to my last earthly plea

Have them children waiting for me when I go

so I can hear them playing in that soft Christmas snow

I'll come once more as a temp for hire

because I am the one who yelled "there's a fire"

and something that got lost in them days

when the newspaper fellers they all went away

them children were buried close to Italian Hall

and then we crushed the strike once and for all

Shame can't be seen by the eyes of a child

or a man turned by money into something more wild

you can hide from the Lord but soon He'll see

and now fire is just what's waiting for me