The preacher & the slave (Pie in the sky) / J.Hill
This classic Joe Hill song warns us against clergy with ulterior motives.
Folksinger/songwriter/poet
I'm a singer/songwriter who enjoys covering a good song regardless of where it's been.
Story behind the song
Joe Hill set these lyrics to the old hymn "In the sweet bye and bye" for the Industrial Workers of the World. Its part of their Little Red Songbook ever since.
Lyrics
Long-haired preachers come out every night,
Try to tell you what's wrong and what's right,
But when asked about something to eat,
They will answer in voices so sweet:
Chorus:
You will eat bye and bye,
In that glorious land above the sky.
Work and pray, (work and pray),
Live on hay, (live on hay),
You'll get Pie in the Sky,
When you die, (that's a lie!)
And the starvation army they play,
They sing and they dance and they pray,
Till they get all your coin on the drum,
Then they tell you when you're on the bum:
CHORUS
If you fight hard for the good things in life,
They will tell you to stop all the strife,
Be a sheep for the bosses they say
Or to hell you are surely on the way!
CHORUS
Workingfolk of all countries unite;
Side by side we for freedom will fight
When the world and its wealth we have gained,
To the grafters we will sing this refrain:
Last Chorus:
You will eat, bye and bye,
When you've learned how to cook and to fry;
Chop some wood, 'twill do you good
And you'll eat in the sweet bye and bye.
(That's no lie!)
