“Which Side?”

In 1931, mine operators trying to break a coal strike in Harlan County, KY,

hired gun thugs who forced their way into Florence Reece’s log cabin

in Straight Creek to search for her husband, Sam.

After they left, Florence scribbled her outrage in the form of a song on her kitchen wall calendar.

“Which Side Are You On” would become one of the most familiar labor songs,

and a powerful statement of class conflict.

Source Recordings:

“Which Side Are You On?” Florence Reece

performed by Bob Bovee & the IWW at Fred Holstein’s, Chicago, IL – 1984

This recording of Florence Reece’s classic protest song was performed by

the Entertainment Workers Industrial Union 630

on August 31^st, 1984 at Fred Holstein’s on Lincoln Ave in Chicago.

The IWW is known as ‘the singing-est’ union of them all, & this recording is evidence of it.

The singing is led by Bob Bovee,

a well-known singer of old-time cowboy songs and a frequent performer at barn dances.

“Roll On, Buddy” Aunt Molly Jackson

recorded by Alan Lomax / New York, NY – 1939

Molly Jackson was a miner’s wife who, during the Harlan County strike of 1931.

was a strong voice for the striking miners.

She was befriended by New York intellectuals who came to Kentucky to support the strike.

She returned to New York with them,

where she lived & performed with Leadbelly & Woody Guthrie.

“When I Lay My Burden Down” Turner Junior Johnson

recorded by Alan Lomax / Clarksdale, MS – July 19, 1942

Turner Junior Johnson, a native of Como, MS, lost his sight at 16.

He made his living as a street musician, performing throughout the Delta region.

“When I Lay My Burden Down” was his favorite song.

He said to Lomax when he recorded this song,

“When you leave this old mortality, you’ll see with a spiritual eye.”

“Unloading Rails” Henry Truvillion

recorded by John & Ruby Lomax / Wiergate, TX – July 19, 1940

Henry Truvillion was a railroad section hand, boss of a construction gang on southern railways,

driver of a ‘two-horse wheeler’ on Mississippi River levee-building jobs,

and roustabout on Mississippi River steamboats.

“Lining Track” Henry Hankins

recorded by Herbert Halpert / Tuscumbia, AL, 1939

The building of a roadbed section involved

timber falling, brushing, blasting, grading, tie & steel unloading,

track laying & lining, spike driving & tie tamping.

Each called for a characteristic rhythm.

“Calling Trains” unidentified train-caller

recorded by John Lomax / Parchman State Penitentiary, MS – 1936

This recording comes from the call for the route of the

Illinois Central’s ‘Panama Limited.’

“Arwhoolie” Thomas J. Marshall

Edwards, MS – 1939

‘Arwhoolie’ is the original name of the cornfield holler.

“Quittin’ Time Song” Samuel Brooks

Edwards, MS – 1939

Sung at quitting time.

Often sung on plantations, a man singing in one field would be answered

by another in a different field singing the same song.

“Hammer, Ring” Jesse Bradley & group

recorded by John & Alan Lomax / State Penitientiary, Huntsville, TX – 1934

The song of the 10-pound hammer – used to drive the

spikes that fastened the long steel rails to the wooden ties.

“I Wonder What’s the Matter” Lightning & group

recorded by John & Alan Lomax / Darrington State Farm, Sandy Point, TX – 1934

An unusual example of a call & response work song,

this recording is more like a field holler or religious song than a work song

“Track-lining Song” Allen Prothero

recorded by John & Alan Lomax / State Penitentiary, Nashville, TN – 1933

“O Lord, Don’ ‘Low Me to Beat ‘Em” Willie Williams

recorded by John Lomax / State Penitentiary, Richmond, VA – 1936

Willie Williams sings, ‘tryin’ to make it back home’

as he pictures himself in the field with his team of mules.

“Carrie Belle” John Davis & Group *

recorded by Alan Lomax / St. Simons Island, GA – October, 1959

A chopping or hoeing chant,

this work song was also used as a stevedore hauling chant

“Ain’t I Right?” Henry Morrison & Group  *

recorded by Alan Lomax / St. Simons Island, GA – October, 1959

A shanty song, sung at night after work,

commenting on the tension between owner & worker

*   “Which Side” contains interpolations of “Carrie Belle” performed by John Davis and Group and recorded by Alan Lomax

*    “Ain’t I Right” performed by Henry Morrison and Group and recorded by Alan Lomax. Published by Global Jukebox Publishing (BMI). Courtesy of The Alan Lomax Archive.

Musicians:

Alan Berliant – bass

Kat Eggleston – hammer dulcimer

Curt Morrison – electric guitar & Rickenbacker electric 12-string

Steve Mullen – piano, keys, organ, synth & drum programming

John Rice – acoustic slide guitar, lap steel & banjo

Jeff Thomas – drums & percussion

Group Vocals:

Joan Collaso

Yvonne Gage

Robin Robinson

Clara Smith

Bob Bovee & IWW group originally recorded August 31, 1984 at Holstein’s, Lincoln Ave.  Chicago, IL

Strings:

Teresa Fream – violin

Mike Shelton – violin

Wendy Evans – violin

Ben Wedge – viola

Larry Glazier – cello

Lyrics

I been a-workin’ ten years on the L&M railroad

which side are you on?

oh, the sun’s goin’ down, & I won’t be here long

I can’t make enough money for to pay my board

which side are you on”

well, I wonder what’s the matter.

I went to the boss, I asked him for my time

which side are you on?

well, the big bell sure was tonin’

oh, what do you think he told me, I owed him one dime

which side are you on?

won’t you ring ol’ hammer, hammer ring,

won’t you ring ol’ hammer, hammer ring

won’t you ring ol’ hammer, hammer ring,

won’t you ring ol’ hammer, hammer ring

bring it down

which side are you on, hammer ring, children, hammer ring

which side are you on, hammer ring, children, hammer ring

oh 708 – layin’ steel now

oh, roll on – train on track 4

see how we go linin’ track

which side are you on, hammer ring, children, hammer ring

which side are you on, hammer ring, children, hammer ring

ain’t I right, ain’t I right

which side are you on, oh, I can’t let this dark cloud catch me here

which side are you on,

oh, then I’ll ber goin’ home

roll on, buddy, and make up your time

I won’t be here long

I’m so weak & hungry I can’t make mine

tryin’ to make it back home

which side, which side are you on

when I lay my burden on

which side are you on?

which side, which side are you on?