Today in Labor History Oct 7 Joe Hill Born later shot by firring squad & the "Battle of the Mirrors"

[Omaha Steve]

October 7


October 7, 1879
Joe Hill was born Joseph Hillstrom in Gavle, Sweden. He emigrated to the United States, where he became a songwriter, poet and organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World, the “Wobblies.” He was convicted of murder on dubious evidence and in 1915 was shot by a firing squad in Utah. His parting words, to IWW co-founder “Big Bill” Haywood, have inspired many in the decades since: “Don’t mourn. Organize.”

Hollywood’s "Battle of the Mirrors." Picketing members of the Conference of Studio Unions disrupted an outdoor shoot by holding up large reflectors that filled camera lenses with blinding sunlight. Members of the competing IATSE union retaliated by using the reflectors to shoot sunlight back across the street. The battle went on all day, writes Tom Sito in "Drawing the Line" - 1946

Labor history found here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_10_07_2009

[ret5hd]

1. I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night

Alive as you and me
Says I, 'But Joe, you're ten years dead'
'I never died', says he
'I never died', says he.

In Salt Lake, Joe, says I
Him standing by my side
'They framed you on a murder charge'
Says Joe, 'I never died'
Says Joe, 'I never died.'

The copper bosses they shot you, Joe,
They filled you full of lead
'Takes more than guns to kill a man'
Says Joe, 'And I ain't dead'
Says Joe, 'And I ain't dead.'

And standing there as big as life
And smiling with his eyes
Says Joe, 'What they forgot to kill'
'Went on to organize'
'Went on to organize.'

Joe Hill ain't dead, he says to me
Joe Hill ain't never died
Where working man are out on strike
Joe Hill is at their side
Joe Hill is at their side.

In San Diego up to Maine
In every mine and mill
Where working men defend their rights
It's there you'll find Joe Hill
It's there you'll find Joe Hill.

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night
Alive as you and me
Says I, But Joe, you're ten years dead
I never died, says he
I never died, says he.

[Gman]

2. Joe Hill truly never died

and is still remembered. You posting those lyrics just continue to show Joe is very much alive and a source of inspiration.

[Peace Patriot]

3. Thanks! nt