Today in Labor History August 3, 1886: Labor activist and song writer Florence Reece was born. She participated in Harlan County, Kentucky coal strikes. And she penned the famous labor song, "Which Side Are You On?" She wrote the song in 1931 on an old wall calendar while Sheriff J.H. Blair was ransacking her home and searching for her husband. Blair had led his gang of thugs on a violent rampage, beating and murdering union leaders.

They say in Harlan Co.
There are no neutrals there
You'll either be a Union man
Or a thug for J.H. Blair.
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7ZHfZt4o6c&t=19s

#workingclass #LaborHistory #laborsong #folkmusic #florencereece #harlancounty #mining #union #strike #kentucky #coal #mining #police

WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?

Today in Labor History August 3, 1886: Labor activist and song writer Florence Reece was born. She participated in Harlan County, Kentucky coal strikes. And she penned the famous labor song, "Which Side Are You On?" She wrote the song in 1931 on an old wall calendar while Sheriff J.H. Blair was searching for her husband and ransacking her home. Blair had led his gang of thugs on a violent rampage, beating and murdering union leaders.

They say in Harlan Co.
There are no neutrals there
You'll either be a Union man
Or a thug for J.H. Blair.
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7ZHfZt4o6c&t=19s

#WorkingClass #LaborHistory #LaborSong #FolkMusic #FlorenceReece #HarlanCounty #mining #union #strike #kentucky