The Night That Goldman Spoke At Union Square

I have just arrived from Lawrence, Massachusetts where,
Eight weeks ago, the workers there went on strike. They are
Starving, their children are dying but they are holding firm
And we must support them.

It was winter in New York
As the snow began to fall
And the workmen's hall had not a seat to spare
When a young man stepped inside
Just to warm himself, was all
The night that Goldman spoke at Union Square.

What is happening in Lawrence is happening everywhere.
Let us at last make this the land of opportunity for
All people, not just the owners. The land of opportunity
For Tateh and his little girl. We cannot rest!

She was speaking loud and fast
Through a haze of noise and heat
And the smell of sweat and anger in the air
The police were standing by
But the crowd was on it's feet
The night that Goldman spoke at Union Square.

You!
He thought he heard her say...
What brings you here today?
Poor young rich boy!
Masturbates for a Vaudeville tart!
What a waste of a fiery heart
Dear!
He thought she said...
Poor young bourgeois!
There are things that you've never thought
Come to Emma and you'll be taught
Here!
His head was spinning!

People feathered and tarred, my friend.
Unions broken and why for?
Children laboring, women still enslaved!
Leave you little backyard my friend.
There are causes to die for!

Strike!
In the gutters of the city
I have tried to find some meaning
Strike!
In the arms of fallen women
In the thought of suicide
Strike!

Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never
Knowing how...
My brother
Life had meaning
Rallyers
Strike!
I'll show you how!
Younger brother
Till now!
My brother, you are
With us now!
He was calling out her name
Shouting what, he did not know
And he found that he was standing on a chair
With a heart as clean and new
As the frshly fallen snow
The night that Goldman spoke
I've been waiting for you.

At Union Square
Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike!
Put the children on the train! Get them out of here!
I hate you, goddamned America!
Tateh! Tateh!