In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
There is power in a factory, power in the land
Power in the hand of the worker
But it all amounts to nothing
If together we don't stand
There is power in a Union
Now the lessons of the past
Were all learned with workers' blood
The mistakes of the bosses we must pay for
From the cities and the farmlands
To trenches full of mud
War's always been the bosses' way, sir
The Union forever defending our rights
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
With our brothers and our sisters
From many far off lands
There is power in a Union
Now I long for the morning that they realize
Brutality and unjust laws cannot defeat us
But who'll defend the workers who cannot organise
When the bosses send their lackeys out to cheat us?
Money speaks for money
The Devil for his own
Who comes to speak for the skin and the bone?
What a comfort to the widow
A light to the child
There is power in a Union
The Union forever defending our rights
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
With our brothers and our sisters
Together we will stand
There is power in a Union
Power in the hand of the worker
But it all amounts to nothing
If together we don't stand
There is power in a Union
Now the lessons of the past
Were all learned with workers' blood
The mistakes of the bosses we must pay for
From the cities and the farmlands
To trenches full of mud
War's always been the bosses' way, sir
The Union forever defending our rights
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
With our brothers and our sisters
From many far off lands
There is power in a Union
Now I long for the morning that they realize
Brutality and unjust laws cannot defeat us
But who'll defend the workers who cannot organise
When the bosses send their lackeys out to cheat us?
Money speaks for money
The Devil for his own
Who comes to speak for the skin and the bone?
What a comfort to the widow
A light to the child
There is power in a Union
The Union forever defending our rights
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
With our brothers and our sisters
Together we will stand
There is power in a Union
Lyrics submitted by b-pot, edited by HatfulOfNathan
There Is Power In A Union Lyrics as written by Stephen William Bragg
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
this is a fucking great song! i can recall many a piss up ive been to where all the left wing comrades banded together wen we put on this song and chanted. geez... its a great way to piss rich kids off!
the meaning is pretty blunt.
Willia05, Its only through industrial action and negotiations undertaken through trade unions that workers have been able to gain improvements in their conditions and ensure legislation that ensures basic rights in the workplace - although, based on your comments, you are probably unable to appreciate the problems workers face in the absence of unions and representation. This song lets the importance of Solidarity be known - There is power in a Union!
the tune for this was lifted from the american civil war song 'battle cry of freedom'
Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys, we'll rally once again, Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom; We will rally from the hillside, we'll gather from the plain, Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. CHORUS: The Union forever, hurrah, boys, hurrah! Down with the traitor and up with the star; While we rally round the flag, boys, rally once again, Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. We are springing to the call of our brothers gone before, Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom; And we'll fill the vacant ranks with a million freemen more, Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. We will welcome to our numbers the loyal, true and brave, Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom; And altho' they may be poor, not a man shall be a slave, Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom.
So we're springing to the call from the East and from the West, Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom; And we'll hurl the rebel crew from the land we love the best, Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom.
Great song! Not exactly subtle either.
willia05, where you come from is rather obviously not what the song is about
Yeah, but willia05 is wrong also, because it comes from Australia. The union movement in this country is what made it so strong and they are even more important now with all of the IR changes that are happening here.
I worked plenty hard in my job, was one of the hardest workers, but I was fired because I wouldn't sign their new contracts, which took away my sunday and public holiday pay. Probably hired some poor 16 year old in my place, and are in the process of rooting him. I'm not much older, but I know when i'm being taken advantage of.
sorry, I didn't mean to get too political. Let's keep it about the music!
LOL! Being political IS about Billy Bragg music.
willia05, sounds like you have no clue, mate.
This is a great song. Good to see that berk willia05 has been shown to be firmly out of touch with what the majority of Australia believes, seeing as its almost a year since John Howard and the Liberal Party got their asses firmly kicked out of government.