Name: The Story Of May Day
Duration: P00H02M47S
Description: I was asked to write a song for the Red River IWW for a benefit comp they are putting out. So I decided to put the story of the Haymarket Riots which is the story of May Day into a song. This was a pain in the ass, I haven't really written political songs in a while. We did this song on the second take, and I just wrote it in the studio.

The Story Of May Day

from Adventures Of Sama by Sama

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about

I was asked to write a song for the Red River IWW for a benefit comp they are putting out. So I decided to put the story of the Haymarket Riots which is the story of May Day into a song. This was a pain in the ass, I haven't really written political songs in a while. We did this song on the second take, and I just wrote it in the studio.

lyrics

So sit right back my friends
and here what I have to say
I want to tell you the truth
about May Day
Thousands of workers went on strike
in the USA
with the cry "8-hour day
with no cut in pay"

Even the dirty scabs
joined the workers there
out in the streets
and in public squares
sadly many more
stayed on the factory floor
and those the workers
couldn't take anymore

May 3rd 1886
August Spies advised
the workers
that they need
"Hold together
stand by your union
or they would
not succeed"

Many workers rushed the scabs
as they came out the factory doors
the McCormick Machine Company
workers could take no more
Cops fired shots
into the crowd
two striking workers
fell dead that day
they gave their lives
to fight for
the 8-hour
working day

A brave group of anarchists
knew something had to be done
and called for a gathering
at Haymarket Square
workingmen to arms
the anarchists' fliers said
revenge for the innocent
workers who lay dead

May 4 1886
Pigs showed up armed for war
ordered the gathering
be disbursed
as they charged the crowd
a bomb rang out
killing six
police men

Cops fired
on the fleeing men
the reloaded
and fired again
4 workers lay dead
in the Chicago streets
nearly 70 more
wounded as they flee

Th anarchists were blamed
for the bombs and for the death
though Pinkerton infiltration
made more sense
but the anarchists
would take the fall you see
8 comrades were
charged with conspiracy

So remember the story
of the Haymarket riot
the brave workers who
stood up for your rights
never forget the brave workers
and the sacrifice they made
for better hours
and for better pay

credits

from Adventures Of Sama, track released March 26, 2014
Samantha McIntire - guitar/vocals
all lyrics and music by Samantha McIntire

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about

Sama Maine

Sama was a folk punk and punk artist from 2004-2020.

She played as:
Sama 2012- 2020
Timmy ROT 2007-2012
Flopsy and Mopsy 2012
Ring of Truth:
2004-2012, and reunited briefly in 2019.

She is now retired from music and discovering a quiet peaceful life in rural Maine. ... more

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