ramblings and things

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The Union is the Union and


It's only because of its fights


That the working man


Had any employment rights


 


It was lonely on that picket


Just Dennis and me


Wielding huge picket boards


For everyone to see.


Just two standing with us 


Which was just fine.


They wouldn’t join the picket 


But wouldn’t cross our line.


 


Just standing on the pavement,


We weren’t allowed to do more


As members went to a meeting


Through the office back door.


When the union lost they


All wanted to be my friend


After that bitter action


Came slowly to its end.


 


But like Kipling's cat


I preferred to walk alone


No need to watch your back


If you stay on your own.


Redundancies soon came


And so many had to go


And when salaries were cut


I didn't say I told you so.


 


I helped negotiate the terms


For those chosen to stay


And as soon as I could


Left and was on my way.


Didn't even bother 


To say goodbye


Just left them to their mess


With my head held high.


 


In less than two years


All their jobs were gone


Made self employed every


Single remaining one.


Modernisation they called it:


I called it cutting cost


And so many regretted


Our picket line was crossed.


 


For the Union was the Union


And members learned the cost


Of lack of solidarity when


That industrial dispute was lost.


 



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Picket (Performance Version)