Drink of the Death Squads - David Rovics

True story first told to me by Katie Knight from the Colombia Support Network in Montana. Something like half of the union organizers that are killed in the world each year are Colombian. Colombia is also the biggest recipient of military aid in the hemisphere. This, of course, is a coincidence.

-----------

Coca-Cola came to Colombia
Seeking lower wages
They got just what they came for
But as we turn the pages
We find the workers didn't like the sound
Of their children's hungry cries
So they said we'll join the union
And they began to organize

So Coke called up a terrorist group
Called the AUC
They said "we've got some problems
At the factory"
So these thugs went to the plant
Killed two union men
Told the rest, "you leave the union
Or we'll be back again"

Now Coke did not complain
About this dirty deed
Why give workers higher wages
When Coke is all they really need
They phoned the AUC
Said "thanks, without you we'd go broke
And to show our appreciation
Here's one hundred cases of Coke"

(Chorus)
The baby drinks it in his bottle
When the water ain't no good
The dog drinks it
But he don't know if he should
Some folks say
It's the nectar of the Gods
But Coke is the drink of the Death Squads

Well the workers wouldn't take
This situation lying down
Some went up to Georgia
Said "look what's happened to our town
You American workers got downsized
And as for us we just get shot
And those of us who survive
Our teeth begin to rot"

(Chorus)

Well now that's the situation
What are you gonna do
'Cause death squads run Colombia
And they're paid by me and you
We can let Coke run the world
And see what future that will bring
Or we can drink juice and smash the state
Now that's the real thing

(Chorus)

Created March, 2002
Copyright David Rovics 2002, all rights reserved

Category:

Music

Tags:

• davidrovics
• coke
• drinkofthedeathsquads
• cocacola
• columbia
• union
• killercoke

[bart1989]

They have been convicted for killing union members, this is a known fact!

[margot980]

Love this, the perfect song to be sung/blared/shared against the Coke sponsored 2010 Olympics.

[KaelMacKenneth]

I never did like Coke. Now I have a good reason.



[Cyallaire]

I recall the opening ad from probably 42 years ago. Fascinating how Coke could project such a gentle and nurturing image while they engage in murderous union busting. They had plenty of political intrigue in national elections here.

[blu3vibration]

@JusDuckie Why the fuck have you been flagged? Is it because nice little radicals don't like having their nonthreatening white male songsters challenged? I don't know if your allegations are true are not, but I get sick of activist communities who silence criticism of their own. I've seen too many "progressive" men clamor to protect one another when called out on their sexism to discard this accusation as not potentially having a grain of truth.

[DJpopel]

@tsayad1986

yeah something thats pretty close to socialism is probably the answer, but i reject all of these ridiculous political constructs, since they have all long since been co-opted and perverted by the powers that be.

what we need first are strong, MILITANT unions that are capable of acting. and we need to put the bankster manipulators on trial and then lock em up.

oh and we need to reenact Glass-Steagel, but good luck with that.

anyhoo, im basically agreeing with ya...

peace

[tsayad1986]

@DJpopel

Socialism is the way! Freiheit und Gleichheit, Grüße aus den Niederlanden!

[DJpopel]

Drink BEER and SMASH THE STATE, fuckin A!

ACAB. KlassenKampf

LONG LIVE THE MOTHERFUCKING RESISTANCE

[decompoiq]

hells to the yeah. I love you Rovics man. Big love.

[mairemc1916]

David Rovics in playing in Belfast on 26th April, in the Roddy McCorley Club Glen Road Belfast

[ProNorden]

Cider ,'hard' or otherwise,... it's the real 'Real Thing' of New England, traditionally.

Go BNP. Go Nationalist.

'Pro-Family, Stewardship, & Fair Trade'

[MidgarSlumz]

Pepsi ftw