We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Banks Are Made of Marble - Les Rice

from When We Stand Together by Magpie

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 USD

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

A New York State apple farmer in the lower Hudson Valley, Les Rice was also a one-time president of the Ulster County NY Farmer’s Union. Being caught in the usual squeeze between the big companies that sold him his supplies and equipment and the big companies who set prices for his crop, he saw the issues first from that perspective, but then went on to make the connections to the struggles of all workers. First recorded by Pete Seeger, this song became very popular among union members around the country, and was printed in the IWW’s Little Red Songbook in the 35th edition, 1984

lyrics

I've traveled ‘round this country
 From shore to shining shore.

It really made me wonder

Why some are rich and others poor

I saw the weary farmer,
 Plowing sod and loam;

I heard the auction hammer
 A knocking down his home.


But the banks are made of marble,

With a guard at every door,

And the vaults are stuffed with silver,
 That the farmer sweated for.



I saw the seaman standing
 Idly by the shore.

I heard the bosses saying,

Got no work for you no more.


But the banks are made of marble,
 With a guard at every door,

And the vaults are stuffed with silver,
 That the seaman sweated for.



I saw the weary miner,

Scrubbing coal dust from his back,
 I heard his children cryin',

Got no coal to heat the shack.


But the banks are made of marble,
 With a guard at every door,

And the vaults are stuffed with silver,
 That the miner sweated for.



I've seen my people working
 Throughout this mighty land;
 I knew we'd get together,
 And together make a stand.


Then we'd own those banks of marble,
 And we’d open every door;

And we'd share those vaults of silver,
 That we all have sweated for.



credits

from When We Stand Together, released July 23, 2022
words and music by Les Rice
Adapted by Greg Artzner & Terry Leonino

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

James Connolly Upstate NY IWW image

James Connolly Upstate NY IWW Albany, New York

The James Connolly Upstate NY IWW branch is a union for all workers based in NY. Musicians and other workers wishing to organize can find us here upstatenyiww.wordpress.com/contact/

Our benefit album is out May 31st. Support our organizing workers! ... more

contact / help

Contact James Connolly Upstate NY IWW

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like James Connolly Upstate NY IWW, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now