They’ll Never Keep Us Down

by Hazel Dickens

United we stand, divided we fall
For every dime they give us a battle must be fought
So working people use your power the key to liberty
Don’t support the rich man’s style of luxury

There ain’t no way they can ever keep us down, oh no
There ain’t no way they can ever keep us down
We won’t be bought, we won’t be sold, To be treated right, well that’s our goal
There ain’t no way they can ever keep us down

We’ve been shot, we’ve been jailed, lord its a sin
Women and little children stood right by the men
We’ve got a union contract that keeps the worker free
They’ll never shoot that union out of me

They’ll never shoot that union out of me, oh no
They’ll never shoot that union out of me
Got a contract in our hand signed by the blood of honest men
They’ll never shoot that union out of me

The power wheel is rolling, rolling right along
The government helps keep it going going strong
So working people get your help from your own kind
Your welfare ain’t on the rich man’s mind

Your welfare ain’t on that rich man’s mind, oh no,
Your welfare ain’t on that rich man’s mind
They want the power in their hands just to keep down the worker and
Your welfare ain’t on the rich man’s mind

They’ll never, never, never keep us down, oh no
They’ll never, never, never keep us down
They can cheat, lie, frame or steal, but we’ll stop that big wheel
They’ll never, never, never keep us down