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.
2. “In Salt Lake City, Joe”, says I,
Him standing by my bed,
“They framed you on a murder charge.”
Says Joe, “But I ain’t dead.”
Says Joe, “But I ain’t dead.”
3. “The copper bosses killed you, Joe,
They shot you, Joe”, says I.
“Takes more than guns to kill a man”,
Says Joe, “I didn’t die.”
Says Joe, “I didn’t die.”
4. And standing there as big as life,
And smiling with his eyes,
Says Joe, “What they could never kill
Went on to organise,
Went on to organise.”
5. “Joe Hill ain’t dead”, he says to me;
“Joe Hill ain’t never died.
When workers still defend their rights,
Joe Hill is at their side,
Joe Hill is at their side.”
6. From San Diego up to Maine,
In every mine and mill
Where workers strike and organise
It’s there you’ll find Joe Hill
It’s there you’ll find Joe Hill.
7. 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.
Suggested arrangement:
V.1 — men only on tune
V2 — men and women on tune
V.3 — add alto part
V.4 — add tenor and bass parts
V.5 and 6 — all parts
V.7 — unison on tune