FUNDRAISER FOR KENTUCKIANS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH

Here’s an important song by Hazel Dickens. I’ve held a deep admiration for her since I discovered her music while interning at Smithsonian Folkways, so much so that I even wrote my senior thesis in college about her. I sing this song as a gesture of solidarity with people around the world who continue to fight for freedom and justice. This song has been a reminder for me to stay active, to keep doing what I can do to make the world a better place, and to never give up.

Whether or not you like this song, please consider donating to Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, a statewide citizens' organization working for a new balance of power and a just society. They use direct action to challenge and change unfair political, economic, and social systems.

Among its many goals, KFTC aims to address the problems caused by coal mining, reform our state tax structure, restore voting rights, and help choose better leaders who represent ordinary people instead of powerful interests.Their membership is open to all people who are committed to equality, democracy, and non-violent change.

DONATE TO KENTUCKIANS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH

THEY'LL NEVER KEEP US DOWN

UNITED WE STAND

DIVIDED WE FALL

FOR EVERY DIME THEY GIVE US

A BATTLE MUST BE FOUGHT

SO WORKING PEOPLE USE YOUR POWER

THE KEY TO LIBERTY


DON'T SUPPORT THE RICH MAN'S STYLE OF LUXURY



AND THERE AIN'T NO WAY THEY CAN EVER KEEP US DOWN

OH NO AIN'T NO WAY THEY CAN EVER KEEP US DOWN


WE WON'T BE BOUGHT

WE WON'T BE SOLD


TO BE TREATED RIGHT, WELL THAT'S OUR GOAL


AND THERE AIN'T NO WAY THEY CAN EVER KEEP US DOWN

YEAH WE'VE BEEN SHOT

WE'VE BEEN JAILED

LORD ITS A SIN


WOMEN AND LITTLE CHILDREN STOOD RIGHT BY THE MEN


BUT WE'VE GOT A UNION CONTRACT

THAT KEEPS THE WORKER FREE


AND THEY'LL NEVER SHOOT THAT UNION OUT OF ME



NO THEY'LL NEVER SHOOT THAT UNION OUT OF ME OH NO

THEY'LL NEVER SHOOT THAT UNION OUT OF ME


WE’VE GOT A CONTRACT IN OUR HAND

SIGNED BY THE BLOOD OF HONEST 
MEN


AND THEY'LL NEVER SHOOT THAT UNION OUT OF ME



THE POWER WHEEL IS ROLLING, ROLLING RIGHT ALONG

AND
 THE GOVERNMENT KEEPS IT GOING, GOING STRONG


SO WORKING PEOPLE GET YOUR HELP FROM YOUR OWN KIND

YOUR WELFARE AINT ON THE RICH MAN'S MIND



NO YOUR WELFARE AINT ON THE RICH MAN'S MIND OH NO

YOUR WELFARE AINT ON THE RICH MAN'S MIND


THEY WANT THE POWER IN THEIR HANDS

JUST TO KEEP OUT OF THE WORKER AND


YOUR WELFARE AINT ON THE RICH MAN'S MIND



AND THEY'LL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER KEEP US DOWN 


OH NO THEY'LL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER KEEP US DOWN


THEY CAN CHEAT ROB STEAL KILL

BUT WE GONNA STOP THAT WHEEL


AND THEY'LL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER KEEP US DOWN

AND THEY'LL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER KEEP US DOWN

YEAH THEY'LL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER KEEP US DOWN