-r^^'^^ -j»P0'Cp05BY'5-i^- l^aborOdes. PO CROSBY'S Labor odes containing Twenty-five Beautiful Odes 0OlIPOS£D IN THE INTEREST OF THB TOILING MASSES. Pr R.CROSBY, ^ ; Verne, Saginaw County, MiCHi Price^ 10 Cents, FOURTH KDITIOS of OtUjinnl ^yurl. Copies of this book can be had by address- ing with 10 cents per single copy, or $1.00 per do/en, to Po Crosby, Verne, Saginaw Co., Mich. Entered according to Act of Congress, in tlie year 1889, by P. R. Crosby, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. Revised Edition. Copyrighted. iSiO. EAST SAGINAVv, MICH. Seemaxx (t Peters, Printers axd Binders. ISO". PREFACE. O ! toiler true, when'er ye view The lines I thus present to you, Think kindly of the flaws ye see. In verses I devote to thee. For in my brain I've striven hard, That these poor lines from labor's bard Should cast one little ray of light On labor's dark and stormy night, Oh ! 't would be sweet if I could know, When thither I am called to go. That when I die, I leave behind One thought to lighten labor's mind. Po Cbosbi. PO CROSBYS LABOR ODES. Opening Ode. TUNE— AMERICA. Once more we meet to clasp In friendship's hallowed grasp The hand of man. Oh may our cause sublime Throughout the length of time In this our native clime For ever stand. Patrons, stand by your cause Obeying honor's laws, Move hand in hand. No rich monopolis great Nor foreign syndicate Shall guide the Ship of State Of this fair land. Brave sons and daughters fair By truth and virtue heir To honor's name, Stand by your colors pure And may your strength endure Reward though slow is sure In this high game. 6 PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. Hand in Hand. TUNE— RED, WHITE AND BLUE. Like the first rays of light in the morning, Like the first wild flowers of the spring, Sweet visions of hope now are dawning While anthems of liberty ring. The ark of a nation's devotion, The day star of freedom so grand, Like earth's mighty armies in motion, Toil unions shall move hand in hand. Toil unions shall move hand in hand, Toil nnions shall move hand in hand, Like earth's mighty armies in motion, Toil unions shall move hand in hand. Let us scorn every petty dissension, The bright star of truth keep in view. Dishonor the tongue that would mention A word that could discord imbue, And moving in unison ever By honor and liberty stand. The ballot box— almighty lever Still grasping we'll move hand in hand. Still grasping we'll move hand in hand, Still grasping we'll move hand in hand. The ballot box almighty lever Still grasping we'll move hand in hand. It is not at the point of the sabre That we purpose to better our cause. But by voting for such men as labor To make for the laborer laws. Then patrons and all labor orders Through the length and the breadth of our lan^ From the gulf to the far northern borders, Let's labor and vote hand in hand. Let's labor and vote hand in hand, Let's labor and vote hand in hand. From the gulf to the far northern borders, Let's labor and vote hand in hand. PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. 7 Strike for the Right. TUNE— PULL FOR THE SHORE. Bright shines the labor banner Over the brave, LfOudly the glad hozannah Peels o'er the wave. While labor's flag ship proudly Glides o'er the sea, Choirs of justice singing loudly Odes to the free. Chorus. Strike for the right, patron, strike for the right. Strike at monopoly with sword ever bright; Under the labor banner, walk in the light, "With the arm of truth and honor, strike for the right. Seaman with task allotted Work mid the sail, Cannon with ballots shotted Point o'er the rail, While on the shore is marching Armed for the fight, Millions who with sword of truth Will st^ke for the right. Chorus, Now ruthless politicians Throughout the land, Haste from your false positions; On every hand See labors banners flying, From every height. Hear the voice of freedom crying Stiike for the right. Chorus. PO CROSBTS LABOR ODES, Gather Round the Polls, Boys. TUNE— BALLY BOUND THE FLAO. Now the time is near at hand When the tillers of the land Must make the laws to rule a nation. For the men who so w and reap, Like an avalanche will sweep Up to the most exalted station. Chorus. Then use up a portion of your leisure hours In reading to strengthen your own mental poweire, While we gather round the polls, boya, Gather once again, Voting for only such as labor. With the future plain in view, There's a course you must pursue, Hasten to gather education, Which will fit you for a placft With the foremost in the race, To fill a more exalted station. Chorus. PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. Harken, Tyrant. TUNE— OLORT, GLORY, HOW THB FREEMEN SANG. High upon the mountains, Low within the mine, Ever bright the lamps of labor shine- From the hills and valleys. From the rolling main. Comes the toilers' shout in glad refrain. Chorus. Harken, tyrant, in your tower of gold, Trust and tyrany have lost their liold We're a host of freemen ' Seeking not for spoil, But an honest share for honest toil. Long has labor suffered, Long endured the wrong. Hurled at her by fashions giddy throng: While the men of fortune Lolled in shady bowers, Treating lightly labor's gi-owing powers. CAori^a— Harken, tryant, etc. 10 PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. Labor History. TUNE— AUTUMN. Gazing back with look of horror O'er the road which toil has passed, Freedom stands and with her sceptre Points to twenty centuries past, With the heel of iron the tyrant Long has stood on labor's breast. Twenty centuries ere Columbus Braved the billow's foaming crest. But his ships have plowed the ocean To a land beyond the sea, Where from tyranny's commotion Labor sought herself to free. But the tyrant followed after, Syndicates in horrid form With rude shout and boistrous laughter Braved the ocean's wind and storm. Quick his minions crossed the country, Traveling paths by labor made, Ever taking with effrontry. Offers of an ax or spade, But the tyrant's rule is over. Freedoms heart is throbbing fast, Foul intent he cannot cover. All his wiles are known at last. PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. 11 Liberty's Sun. TUNE— HAIL TO THE CHIEF. Hail to tlie light o'er the horizon beaming Worthy devotion its ever bright ray, may its halo upon labor streaming Herald the coming of libertya day. Blessed be thy golden ray Emblem of coming day, Bright ark of justice — sweet liberty's sun, O may thy halo shed Over the toiler's head, Peace and contentment 'til mans race is run. Thou great eternal, in sweet heaven dwelling Labor's devotion extended to thee. In sweetest music is now upward swelling Seeking thy blessing on liberty's tree, Enduring every wrong Labor has suffered long, Craving assistance from eternal one, Truth with her streaming eyes Bent on the eastern skies. Watched for the r sinjr of liberty's sun. Joy to the nation, let music enclianted O'er mountain and valley on soft zephyr swell, Sweet freedom's tree, by the laborer planted, Is growing in beauty by liberty's well. Long may it upward grow Deep in the soil below, May every rootlet in unison run ; While every limb and leaf. Beauty and strength receive From the bright rays of sweet liberty's sun. 12 PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. Labor Problem. TDHX— OOTTAGE OBB THE HOOB. The frieDds of riarht and liberty In unison have met, For freedom's sweet, but saddened face, With tears has long been wet; Been wet with tears of sorrow for Those men who sow the grain And scour the deck before the mast Upon life's rolling main. True some there are who doubting still Are yet outside the fold, And sav we cannot break the ranks Thus fortified with gold; We know 'tis not a problem small Through which a child can see, Nor is the task before us all For those who bend the knee. Back from the task we have to do Well might have Hercules' slunk, Jind from those less gigantic far Have mighty Statesmen shrunk, But many minds are working hard The j^roblem deep to solve A.nd soon the wheels of justice true Will rapidly revolve. And those who work and till the soil That all mankind may live Shall honest recompense receive For every cent they give, And those whose coffers overflow With shylock's sordid gain. This lesson yet shall learn to know That laboring men have brain. PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. 13 s — — Labor's Tribute. TUNE— WEBB. Ye noble sons of labor And daughters fair and tme, Truth's bright and gleaming sabre. At last is drawn for you. The minions of aggi-ession— Monopoly and trust, Dread bulwarks of oppression We'll trample in the dust. Our father's met in battle Old England's proud array And mid the cannon's rattle They nobly won the day. They hurled the proud oppressor From off our every shore, And left their sons possessors To hold forever more. But now, a centuiy later, The haughty British lord By effort even greater With gold instead»of sword, Is gathering up each valley And riverside and plain. Oh] sons of freedom, rally And drive him back again. The tillers of the soil, For many ages past Have bent the knee in toil Before the tryant's mast. Then rally round your standard And by your colors stand And paint upon your banner The equal rights of man. 14 PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. Tillers of the Soil. TUNE— WATCHMAN, TELL US OF THE NIGHT. O ! ye tillers of the soil, WorkiDg early, late and fast, Kobbed of frnit of honest toil, Trodden down in ages past. While the power in you is vested By the franchise of your land, Yet your enemy is crested with the crown by your command. Are ye still content to labor ? Still content to plow your lands ? Looking to your crafty neighbor With his white and downy hands. For the laws to rule your action In your humble walk of life; Has your welfare no attraction In this gold and labor strife? When in war's dark cloud were drifted By the hand of fiend or fate, Quick your neighbor grand and gifted Calls on you to save the State. If amid the din of battle, Farmers have the nerve and brain When war's turbid waters settle. Why not farmers hold the rein. PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. 15 A Bad Dream. TUNE— YANKEE DOODLE, I had a dream the other night When all around was quiet, Excepting that the neighbors' cats Had started up a riot. It seemed upon the capitol At Washington were standing, Myself and twenty other men Upon a narrow landing. Commanding all the land that lies In twenty miles around us. The sight that met our wondering eyes Was such as to astound us, The thoroughfare that led away From gilt and marble column Was crowded full in sad array. With statesmen looking solemn. A litter they among 'em bore Three bodies on it lying, 'Twas plain that two had passed the door And 'tother one was dying, I asked a fellow by my side Twas plain be want a mourner, Who was it that had lately died Within the halls of honor. He answered that monopoly Now hovering near the borders Was dying of a malady They called the labor orders, The others — Trust and Syndicate Had held their last communion, 16 PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. And died that morning of disease Now known as Farmers Union. I heard an awiul scream arise, Some sort of wail or other That seemed to rend the very skies, And then tliere came another And then a crash, I thought my soul. The capitol was falling, And through the glass a pair of cats, Came on my pillow sprawling. PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. 17 Hope. TUNE— HOME, SWEET HOSnt. Kind nature, the fountain of all earthly good. Upon every creature her blessing bestowed; While through life's dark pathway the laborers gi-ope, She holds to their vision the bright star of hope. Chorvs. Hope, hope, sweet, sweet hope, She holds to their vision the bright star of hope. The mines in the mountains, the field and the plain Resound with the music of labor's refrain, Combining their efforts with gold they must cope Those two fond companions, sweet labor and hope. Chorvs. Hope, hope, sweet, sweet hope, Those two fond companions, sweet labor and hope. 18 PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. Our Cause Is Just and Right. TUNE— SWINGING IN THE LANE. A mighty host is marching on With banners bright and grand. They represent the laborers And tillers of the land; Their leaders truth and honesty Have got in perfect drill, A giant host of freemen from The factory, farm and mill. Chorus. Ye politicians well you know, Our cause is right and just, Your mighty throne we'll overthro And trample in the dust. \v Ye ragged host of hangers on Who throng the halls of State, And like the foul hyena for The lion's leavings wait, You constitute a dirty throng Unworthy of a name, How dare you seek to fill the place Of honor and of fame. Choru8. 'Tis plain to see, your early doom Is written on the page Of fate and honest prophecy, In this progressive age; W^e cannot doubt that some of you Are better fit to wait, Behind the bars of prison, Than within the halls of State. Chorvi PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. 19 The Day Star of Freedom. TUNE— DASIE DEAN. Bright rays o'er the mountain, Like a pure golden fountain Streaming up fair and bright in the east, 'Tis sweet freedoms token, The fetters are broken, And the era of darkness has ceased. Choms. Thy rays are ever welcome. Thou gem of truth and right. Bright day star of freedom to true, Thy light sweetly streaming Upon labor beaming. Ever sweet sense of honor imbue. Our task often doubled, Our mind often troubled, Long time we have worked on the soil, Our white handed neigh Lor, The fruit of our labor, Like robber has taken as spoil. Chonis. The future is teeming With h pe sweetly beaming For the laborer at f.c ory and farm, And trust, horrid demon! So loathed by the freeman, la cowering back in alarm. Chortis. 20 PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. Upward. TUNE— BONNIE DOON. The rainbow tints, the sun's brip:ht ra.y. The shadows long at close of day, The wild flowers strewn in nature's bed, The lilies white and roses red, The twining vine, the forest shade, The gushing rill, with pebbles laid. Are prospects bright and vision rare, Which tillers of the soil may share. The soil was tilled in former age By those enrolled on slavery's page. No gleam of hope from year to year To light their pathM^ay dark and drear, But now, a ray of hope at last Upon their pathway drear is cast. And though their task is much the same, Of slavery it has lost the name. And thus they toil and view by night The distant star of equal right, Where they Avith others of their kind Shall equal share of leisure find, And toiling upward day by day Though rocks and mire before them lay. Their tents each night, though torrents roar Pitched higher than the night before. PO CROSBY S LABOR ODES. 21 My Faith Looks to Thee. TUKE— NEW HAVEN. My faith looks up to thee, Thou toilers bold and free Thy day istar glows, I know thy voting ])Ower, Which like the leaning tower Frowns at this present hour O'er all thy foes. Well hast thou suffered long, Enduring every wrong At trust's foul hand. . The men who made thy laws Have heeded not thy cause, But tyranny shall pause At thy command. Proud syndicates shall fall And stagger to the wall Before thy host; Monopoly and trust You'll tvampL' in the dust, Their shining spears shall rust, Their fame be lost. 22 PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. Should Those who Labor be Forgot. TUNE— AULD LANG SYNE. Should those who labor be forgot In legislative linll, Cause honest toil has been their lot, Their purses light and small; Should those we send to make our laws Ignore the weaker sail, While on their knees, they strife to please The monarch of the rail. Should manufacturers, rich and great, While wheat is sixty cents, Eeceive protection from the state. Their profits to enhance. Should men with twelve dollars jDer day, A higher salary seek, W^hile laboring men for eight or ten Are glad to work a week. We ask you should the scum of earth, Each pestilential thing. Be welcomed to our home and hearth To please the railroad king, Should Chinamen oar soil pollute, All Italy be fed, While freedom's sons the gauntlet runs In honest search of bread. PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. 23 Valiant and True. TUNE— MAHOHING ALONG. Like the waves of the ocean That sweep o'er the main, Like the winds from the mountain, That scours o'er the plain, Labors' ranks now are moving At liberty's call, Trust and monopoly- Must go to the wall. Choriis. Be ye valiant and true, Be ye valinnt ami true, Keeping the bright star . Of hope well m view; The great constitution Will point out the way, By which if we're valiant We are sure of the day. Now ye knights of the anvil, The plow, or the spade, Be ye careful to follow The laws that are made, But if men now in Congress Your action to pen Should not represent you, Never send them again. Chorus. PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. Spring to the Charge. TUNB— PUL,L FOB THE SHORE. Farmers and laboring classes champions of right. Tradesmen and toiling masses see yonder height Where trust and syndicate in proud union hold Undisputed sovereignty in fortress of gold. Chorus: Spring to the charge, freeman. Spring to the charge. Let not monopoly her battery discharge Over the land for which our forefathers fought, And the homes where lessons first Of freedom were taught. See now in labor orders freeman enrolled. Swiftly the ranks of truth are filled with the bold, Armed with the franchise of the land of the free, See the hosts of freeman as they sweep to the sea. Chorus, PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. 25 Labor Anthem. TUHK— HOliD THE FOBT. Prom Lake Huron's shining waters. Over hill and plain, To a nation's sons and daughters Comes the glad refiain. Chorus. *Tis the labor anthem ringing O'er the eastern slope, To the toiling millions bringing Liberty and hope. Swiftly move the mighty colnmn Toward the setting sun. While its branches gain ng volume East and southward run. Chorvs—'Tis the labor, etc. Soon its ranks will cross the prairie By the zephyrs bore, To the peaks of high Sierra And Pacific shore. Cftarws— 'Tie the labor, etc. PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. Rally Round Your Banner. •nWE— OTERBOAED SHE GOES MY BOYS WHERE SPARKLING WATERS ROAR. We're gathering round the Ship of State Farmers and laboring men, To fight the trusts and syndicates, And drive them to their den. Chorus. Then rally round your banner bright Ye toilers bold and true, Your children's future, hope and right, Is resting now on you. Eight well we know our cause is just, The franchise is our sword, Let not your brilliant armor rust, Nor act the knave or coward. Chorus — Then rally, etc. Bad men would warp our country's laws, And read them up side down And strive to crush the labor cause. With haughty jeer and frown. Chorus— 'Then rally, etc. PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. 27 Justice. TUNE— FROM GREENLAND'S lOY MOUNT.UN8. The balmy air is laden With toil's melodious strain. Each yonth and blushing maiden Sings labor's sweet refrain, And labor's boatswain bawling, His orders bold and free, To action loudly calling The sons of liberty. To labor we are willing, But not that shylock's vault Our efforts should be tilling, Our conciences revolt. ShouLl honest people labor? Should farmers raise their grain? And their unblushing neighbor. The lawyer, take the gain? Consult your sense of honor, Should gross injustice be Permitted 'nt-ath our banner In land of liberty; If not, you have one resource. The franchise is yonr own Upon this human race course. Let justice sit enthroned. 28 PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. Good-Bye. TUNE— OOBONATION. The hour has come to say good-bye, Good-bye, we're going home, In honest heart we're loth to part, But closing hour has come, In honest heart we're loth to part. But closing hour has come. Then sisters fair and brothei-s true Here met in labor's cause. We bid you all a kind adieu, And yield to nature's laws; We bid you all a kind adieu, And yield to nature's laws. We love to linger with our friends Within the halls of right. But nature's powers in fleeting hours. Brings us to say good night, But nature's powers in fleeting hours, Brings us to say good night. PO CROSBTS LABOR ODES. 29 I Parting Ode. TUNE— OLD HUNDRED. Ye faithful friends, as now we part, •V Take honor's paths with honest heart, As bad men's deeds come to the light, Let their wrongs feed thy lamp of right. Great nature teaches us to know- That human hearts while here below, "With selfishness are often fraught, But let sweet justice be thy thought. To evil thoughts bad men are prone, And strive to grasp what's not their own. But their rash deeds and thoughts untrue, From evil ne'er excuses you . 30 PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. Closing Ode. TUNE— SWEET BY AND BY. Gentle friends, all your duties performed From the toils and the cares of the week, And from life's changing sunshine and storm, The sweet quiet of home let us seek. Chorus. To our homes now we go By ihe sweet silvery moon's mellow light And the stars softly glow While we bid you a pleasant good night. "With our brothers an<1 sifters to meet In the halls of the Patrons we love All the friends of the order to greet, But the hour bids us homeAvard to move. Chorus. Now may knd fortune's blessings expand, May each honest endeavor succeed. May each true Patron throughout the land Be rewarded lor eacli lionest deed. Chorus. PO CROSBY'S LABOR ODES. 31 I N D K X . m — A Bad Dream 15 Closing Ode 30 Gather Round the Polls 8 Good Bye 28 Hand in Hand 6 Harken, Tyrant 9 Hope 17 Justice 27 Labor Anthem 25 Labor History 10 Labor Problem 12 Labor's Tribute ; 13 Liberty's Sun 11 My Faith Looks to Thee 21 Opening Ode 5 Our Cause is Just and Right 18 Parting Ode 29 Rally Round Your Banner 26 Should Those Who Labor be Forgot 22 Spring to the Charge 24 Strike for the Right 7 The Day Star of Freedom 19 Tillers of the Soil 14 Upward 20 Valiant and True 23 I TRRftRY OF CONGRESS Mi