blog 5

Workers didn't have any rights while they were on the job.  They were seen as objects and that could be used in any way, shape or form in order to meet demand.  The age of workers did not matter to companies and they forced employees to work 10 hour days; often without bathroom breaks and barely enough time for meals.  Injuries and death were a daily occurrence.  And replacements were a simple answer to any death or out of line employee.  Thus, during the 1920s, unions and their employers begin battling for dominance and control over wages, time of a work day, standard of living, and health insurance/benefits options.  This would be the start of the American Labor Movement.  Like every movement, it must be centered around not only an idea, but an individual or group of individuals who are able to lead to way and keep morale high.  And it can be said that for the American Labor Movement, this person was man by the name of Joe Hill.  No single person contributed more to the development of the genre of political music in the American labor movement than Joe Hill.  His legendary career began with taking shape with his continuous travelings across the country during the beginning of the 20th century.  It was during this time that he became disillusioned with what was known as the "American dream."  He quickly realized that America was far from a place of equality and opportunity.  He would join the Industrial Workers of the World (Wobblies) in 1910.  He had numerous musical compositions relating his disappointment with the American workforce.  His work was so well known that there were even songs written about him.  One of which is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8Kxg9uFDes.  Here, Paul Robeson discusses the legend that is Joe Hill.  And that even though it has been years since his death, his songs and their meanings continue to live on and continue to have to ability to rally people together for this important cause. It was his songs and melodies that people knew at this point in time. And as we've discussed before, a song as the power to cross multiple barriers and help empower people more than even the best speech and speaker.  


All in all, music was the underlying thread of the American Labor Movement.  This is explained in Courtney Brown's, "Industrialization and the Rise of Labor Music."  At this time, there was no better way to empower the masses or spread the word than through music.  And it was the coordinated distribution of so many of these songs; including Joe Hill's, by the Wobblies that helped give some organization and structure to this massive and widespread movement.  In his interview, Joe Glaze discusses the importance of music and its involvement in the movement (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaQ7qWo6120).  In my opinion, it was his statement that music supplied them with an "extra weapon."  That music had the ability to touch people's souls; and that it touched not just the brain, but the heart.  


One of Joe Hill's more widespread composition is "Pie in the Sky."  Performed here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhhzElzTZJw by Ani DiFrance and Utah Phillips, this song is a look at the efforts of those trying to sell religion to the poor people.  The overlying theme was that anyone buying into this was being tricked and deceived.  That rather than working hard and providing for your family,the only way to find true happiness and salvation was through these forms of payments.  This song has lasted as long as it has and has been performed by numerous contemporary artists because of its message that still holds true today.  He is poking fun at these religions because the only way to find happiness and success is through hard work and dedication.  This falls in line with America today as well.  If one dedicates themselves to something and works hard for it, then some good will come out of it whether it be a high salary or simply being able to provide for your family.  All you can do is work hard at whatever you're doing.  There are no short cuts, not even today.  And I feel as though this song is a perfect reminder of that.