Monday, August 21, 2023

Billy Bragg Says People Upset About The "Rich Men" Should Join A Union And Fight, Not Sink To Race-Baiting & Conspiracy Theories


"Since I saw that clip of Oliver Anthony singing his song 'Rich Men North of Richmond', the ghost of Woody Guthrie has been whispering in my ear. "Help that guy out" Woody keeps telling me "Let him know there's a way to deal with those problems he's singing about". So today I sat down and wrote this response to Mr Anthony's song, for people like him and people like you..." Billy Bragg, August 2023

Oliver Anthony's "Rich Men North of Richmond" came out of no where to become a viral hit this summer, as well as a cultural and political touchstone. It was hailed as a searing declaration of working class resentment, but upon closer examination, it seemed to give in to conspiracy theories and race-baiting rather than seek actual solutions to very real problems.

Billy Bragg has a response:


Rich Men Earning North of a Million

[Verse 1]
If you're selling your soul, working all day
Overtime hours for bullshit pay
Well, nothing's gonna change if all you do
Is wish you could wake up and it not be true

[Chorus 1]
Join a union
Fight for better pay
You better join a union, brother
Organize today
You'll see where the problem really lies
When the union comes around
Rich men earning north of a million
Wanna keep the working folk down
Wanna keep the working folk down

[Verse 2]
If you form a union, you'll soon find
That working people are all of one kind
So we ain't gonna punch down on those who need
A bit of understanding and some solidarity
That ain't right friend

[Verse 3]
If you're struggling with your health and you're putting on the pounds
Doctor gives you opiates to help you get around
Well, wouldn't it be better for folks like you and me
If medicine was subsidized and healthcare was free?

[Chorus 2]
Join a union
Fight for better pay
Come on and join a union, sister
Organize today
It comes down to the selfsame thing
If you're black or white or brown
Rich men earning north of a million
Wanna keep the working folk down
Wanna keep the working folk down

[Verse 4]
Well, we know your culture wars are there to distract
While libertarian billionaires avoid paying tax
You wanna talk about bathrooms while the floodwaters rise
The forest is on fire and the wind burns our eyes, ah!
Something's wrong here

[Verse 5]
Well, they wanna divide us because together we're strong
Are you gonna take action now you sung your damn song?
If you don't like the rich men having total control
You better get the union to roll

[Chorus 3]
Join a union
Fight for better pay
Come on and join a union
Organise today
Don't matter if you live in the city
Or some little country town
Rich men earning north of a million
Rich men earning north of a million
I say, rich men earning north of a million
Wanna keep the working folk down
Wanna keep the working folk down

[Outro]
If you're selling your soul and you're working all day
Overtime hours for bullshit pay
Join a union