Which Side Are You On Florence Reece Original

[eduedlisorg]

When and where was this performance?

Ed

EDLIS Café

[easygrip]

@eduedlisorg i think it was recorded live during a union strike meeting in the 1970s. you can see some video from the beginning of it on youtube. that video was taken from the documentary "harlan county, usa." i got this audio recording from the soundtrack cd for "harlan county, usa." i would post a link to the other video, but youtube wouldn't let me. it is probably over on the right hand side somewhere.

[Gwid01]

@easygrip That was one of the best docs we'd seen. Esp. for me, since one of my friends from the service who was from W.Virginia worked in the mines in Harlan as a teen. (Hopefully, he hasn't had to return there). It's a slow death, and they don't give a damn @ the workers long as they get their coal. Harlan folks put their lives on the line to get the Union in.Thanks for this upload and info on the film. People should be aware--and hopefully care. Have a good New Year. :)

[911marz]

This is great.

[ipwnorcs]

VIVA. LA. REVOLUCION!

[grail68]

3 people are scabs

[grail68]

Yes. Just yes.

[lightbox617]

And it becomes more and more relevant again. If you go to the U S State department web site and look at their country briefing books, you will know what they expect of countries where the "wealth gap" exceeds 95% to 5%. That's us, now.  What do you expect? Which side are you on?

[hmldjr]

God bless this worker!!!!!

[MrRoastedSnow]

Workers Unite! There's no middle way. Capital or Labour thats the choice. Which side are you on?

[ThePunkPatriot]

I like this version best out of all the other versions that have been done.

[coroboree]

The Pagan Priest (@paganpoet3) sounds Greek to me, an icon of the Greek economy.

[feminale]

thank you for putting it up! I just posted on my facebook wall, with the title..."Speaking of Medicare"...in lieu of the budget crisis.

thanks again. incredible story too...make sure to document!!!

kat

[greenhornetbird]

Wisconsin solidarity forever.

[cheapassassin]

Will you be a gun thug or will you be a man?

[kaaly68]

As people in New Zealand and Australia are standing up to mineral greed and resisting attempts by bully-boy corporations to divide and crush them it's beautiful to hear this song from this fine woman.

[cameo9876]

@femalefitter3 = you must be very proud of your grandma. This song has inspired thousands and thousands of people to fight the good fight. I hope you take care with that calendar. It should go into the Smithsonian Museum or maybe a labor museum.

[BlackKaweah]

God bless her.

[femalefitter3]

Yes she was a fantastic Grandmother to have! As of Feb. 12, 2011 my father has passed away. He was the last living child left of Florence Reece & Sam Reece. But her memory will live on with us Grandchildren! This woman is truly remarkable she told me stories growing up and I don't think she ever told the same story twice.  Unless you ask her too. I remember when she sang at the White House for the President , that was really a big deal.

[ThePeaceableKingdom]

Amazing fragment of history. The real deal.

[Salamwamat]

I'm with Scott Kevin Walker !!!!!

[gprobargains]

This needs to be our new Wisconsin Theme Song!

[MrJdvance]

sure could use her in wisconsin right now

[IndyAnna2TN]

They'll never keep us down!

[gorikuri]

That lady is wonderful. I LOVE her courage. She is no pushover.

[MsGman09]

Thank you so much for posting this. We get to sense the spirit behind the wonderful lyrics to this song. VIVA LA REVOLUZ'ION

[bill291212]

capital thinbks they gave us these rights, they didnt, we fought for those rights!  it was never easy.

[Gothic2Knight]

....just AMAZING...., thanx man!!!

[Diotima012]

This version brings me to tears each time I hear it.

[konkosto]

olé pretty pretty Woman

really beutiful Voice

i ´ m on the side of that girl

[siadorcroft]

unbelievable...

i don't know what to say...

i'm stunned...

[SweetSweetWaldo]

Reece for president!

[femalefitter3]

I Love this song it was wrote by my Grandmother Florence Patton Reece. She was

an inspiration to me growing up. My dad has the actual calendar that this song was wrote on in the 1930's. Florence & Sam Reece had 10 children and my Dad is the only living one left. I hope everyone loves this song.

[doppelganger418]

@femalefitter3 Wow,Thats amazing!!!! It's such a powerful song...and to the point.

[BlackKaweah]

@femalefitter3 A fine woman she must have been. One who saw what was true.

[batlady2]

@femalefitter3 WOW! What a fantastic grand ma to have! What an example to be proud to follow. I DO LOVE THIS SONG AND I LOVE YOUR GRAND MA!

[Sleptech7777]

@femalefitter3

She may be referring to my uncle Bill Bruner. He was a scab boss back then(late60's, early 70's). Not because he wanted to be. He had a Newborn girl. My cousin, Selina,. If he had not crossed the picket lines, she would have starved to death.

[WIFwoman]

@femalefitter3

I'm originally from Harlan County and have written a picture book about your grandmother writing the song. I tried to find family through folks in Knoxville who knew the Reeces, but had no luck. I would love to be in touch with you. Please email me at ginalyon2001@yahoo.com

[PetrSilie]

@femalefitter3

Most awsum grandma ever!

[maryhelen1930]

@femalefitter3 I just found out about this song Sept. 2011. I bought the book "Which Side Are You On?" written by George Ella Lyon. It is noted in the book "In Memory of Florence Reece (1900-1986)". Both of my grandfathers were coal miners in Harlan; my parents grew up there. I grew up hearing the stories and going to Harlan to visit relatives.Glad that you commented so that I could reply.By the way, I am intrigued with the story and the bravery of your grandparents.

[protocephalapod]

Thanks for posting this. The Natalie Merchant version is terrible.

[fabianfanfar]

one of the most beautiful ever... I'm in tears

[bongojava21]

so according to paganman, the U.S. is the exclusive home to idiots and puritans. glad to know somewhere in the world is idiot and puritan free. must be his little corner. but Florence Reece is tremendous. thank you!

[ricknelms]

@bongojava21 -maybe you should read his post again

[TubeDupe]

Amazing voice. Like a cheese grater. Wowzer.

[PineyBob]

She wrote this with the gun thugs surrounding her house looking to kill her husband Sam, a union organizer.

It's sung to the old Baptist hymn "Lay the Lillies Low"

[paganpoet3]

greedings from Greece...thanx for this version of that historical song....its verry hopefull to see that america is not only the home of idiots and puritans......you have no idea how the word "american(usa)" sounds like over here...anyway thanx again and please take a look about what hapend in Greece last December...just tipe the word "Greek december" or "alexandros Grigoropoulos"...

[kwstaras]

δεν συσχετιζονται απολυτα αλλα +1 απο μενα..

[AsonUnique84]

@paganpoet3 I think proper grammar and punctuation would give your idiot comment more credibility.

[bella0black]

Thank you for this....

[Foggers2009]

Thanks for posting this important classic!

[rcrontario]

hard as fuck

[godamnit1111]

bring tha mosh

[StatenIslandFolkie]

This is beautiful. Thanks so much for posting.

[ooorly]

I love it

[plushsnail]

you rule for posting this

[easygrip]

thanks, good to know it is appreciated.