1. |
The Mighty
03:05
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1. THE MIGHTY (3:06)
for my co-workers, and the Hunts Point Strikers
Do you remember? All our adventures?
Over the years, over the centuries
and I mention it because now
in terms of survival
we need to rise from the dead again
we need a revival
We are the first and we are the last
We are the mighty working class
and when you feel the most like hiding
I wish you’d take a look inside yourself
and see: you have a history
We have our ancestors who made sacrifices
on altars of misery
so we could stand here today and feel this song
and swing to this beat (our music’s so sweet)
Sing along:
We are the first and we are the last
We are the mighty working class
and when you feel the most like hiding
I wish you’d know how good it feels to be fighting
for what workers need, and we should have no illusions
that the people in power
will accept revolution
but that is what we need
and the world’s on our shoulders
and in turn we are learning from the giants
who came before us
We are the first and we are the last
We are the mighty working class
and when you feel the most like hiding
I wish you’d know how much is riding
on what we all do
what each of us do…
We are mighty
and we are fighting
We are the workers, we stand united
No more hiding
(We’re singing) Black, brown, and tan
Woman, trans, and man
Young and old
Everyone who can
(We’re singing) Black, brown, and tan
Woman, trans, and man
Young and old
Everyone who can
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2. |
Upside Down
04:35
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2. UPSIDE DOWN (4:36)
People cheer when the rover lands on Mars
like it was heaven sent
It looks so near but it’s so far
me down here with a year of unpaid rent
I’m trying to figure out how it got this way
everything’s out of place
That damn machine lands on its own two feet
while I am lost in space
It’s upside down
Mmmm…
So we’ve cleared the latest election
now the gangs are settlin’ scores
We best beware their false protection
they’re gearing up for the next war
Half the country sighs self-righteously
the other half grinds its teeth
And I’m left worried ‘bout all my friends
who still don’t have enough to eat
It’s upside down
Mmmm…
I want something to cheer about
that’s not millions of miles away
I’ve been working all my life
It’s about time I have my say
It’s upside down
Ooh, it’s upside down
The billionaires’ fortunes’ gone viral
Their stock market’s on a stampede
They don’t care if we’re in a downward spiral
as long as their profit’s guaranteed
The rich boys always taking all the credit
but one thing I know for sure
This whole system’s the real pandemic
and we got to find the cure
‘Cause it’s upside down
Oh, it’s upside down
It’s upside down
Sometimes I feel so tired
like I’m just singing to myself
But I know we’re running out of time
We got to get ourselves out of this hell
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3. |
All That It Takes
03:30
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3. ALL THAT IT TAKES (3:31)
Our minds are awry from hives of lies
the advertisements traumatize
They disguise the prize
that’s right before our eyes
A cloak of smoke envelops our homes
a kaleidoscope of broken bones
It chokes our hopes and thwarts revolt
so we’re told
All that it takes for evil to win
Is for good people to do nothing
The fascist freaks have tossed their sheets
They flood the streets armed to the teeth
Whatever made you think this would
be easy?
Stand for the flag or you’ll be damned
and pander to the masters’ plan
Loyalty’s what they demand
our fealty
All that it takes for evil to win
Is for good people to do nothing
Sound the gongs, there’s power in our songs
Let’s build our bonds to right the wrongs
These hearts in darkness long for dawn
We’ll all belong when we – stand – strong
Let’s cast aside our alibis
the compromises we’ve despised
The time is nigh: defy denial
and rise
Those of us who are good people within
can choose to reduce evil to nothing
We can reduce evil to nothing
‘cause I refuse to believe we are nothing
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4. |
In the Dark Times
05:01
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4. IN THE DARK TIMES (5:01)
Why did we arrive at these times we’re in?
What did we do to deserve this?
Our collective nightmare, our deepest fears
Do we dare to scratch the surface?
In the dark times, there will be singing
In the dark times, there will be singing
about the dark times, about the dark times
Our infinite patience, the wisdom of the ancients
the insistence of our youth
We call on the forces of all our resources
for the courage to face the truth
In the dark times, there will be singing
In the dark times, there will be singing
about the dark times, about the dark times
Oooh, ooh-ooh-ooh ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
We’ll crawl and claw our way
and though it’s dark today
we will have our say
We’ll build our endurance against false reassurance
Our strength is internal, and struggle eternal
We who yearn for the light
must now conjure that burning
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
In the dark times
In the dark times
In the dark times
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5. |
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5. LEAD THE WAY, SAVE THE DAY (3:42)
Health Care workers lead the way! Workers always save the day!
Health Care workers lead the way! Workers always save the day!
Health Care workers lead the way; Workers always save the day
Health Care workers lead the way; Workers always save the day
They lead the way! They save the day!
On the farms, in the factories
in the laundries, in the pharmacies
the housekeepers and the home health aides
the warehouses, truck drivers, every day
The social workers and the EMTs
transit, internet, electricity
bodegas, markets, and food stands
people on the front lines, everyone who can
Health Care workers lead the way; Workers always save the day
They lead the way! They save the day!
Black, Brown, Tan, Woman and Man
young and Old, Everyone who can
We’re invincible when we unite
To defend our families, we’re gonna have to fight
Health Care workers lead the way; Workers always save the day
Protect each other: wash your hands
Keep your distance, wear your masks
Be disciplined in our simple tasks
Look to the future, learn from the past
As the bosses blame their crisis on us
Get ready to rumble; we’re gonna have to rise up
‘cause it’s our turn and it’s our world
We have so many lessons, to learn!
Health Care workers lead the way; Workers always save the day
Health Care workers lead the way; Workers always save the day
Health Care workers lead the way! Workers always save the day!
Health Care workers lead the way! Workers always save the day!
They lead the way, they save the day
Lead the way, save the day
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6. |
GO!
02:33
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6. GO!
We go go go, we run run run
We laugh laugh laugh, it’s fun fun fun
Peals of wild joy fly through the air
Long as we’re alive, we are here
We laugh laugh laugh, we scream!
It’s life life life, it’s a dream
Death-defying acrobatic cheers
Calling out delighted: we are here
In the air, there is singing
Can you hear? As long as we’re alive
We go go go, we run run run
We laugh laugh laugh, it’s fun fun fun
Peals of wild joy fly through the air
As long as we’re alive…
As long as we’re alive…
As long as we’re alive…
We are here
We are here, we are here
Can you hear?
As we go go go, we go go go
We go go go, we go go go!
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FRED ARCOLEO New York, New York
Sober, hard-hitting, and fiercely original, yet cradled in tenderness, FRED ARCOLEO’s award-winning RALLY FOLK! MUSIC
invites audiences to confront the difficult truths of the current state of our world with composure, optimism, and determination: “We are the ones we are waiting for.”
“Don McLean meets Phil Ochs.” – Pat Lamanna
... more
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