Back in 1913 I was just 22and I done what them boss men 
told me to do
had my nose in the air and a fine suit of clothes
warm in the winter when that great lake wind blows
copper was gold back here in them days
and money can put a man's mind in a haze
so keep them mines open the man said and with glee
said 'you know where they on this christmas eve'
they said them strikers ain't like us you see
they come to this country to replace you and me
so give 'em a scare so they will know
when they can come and where they can go
Now I'm an old man and to hell will I go
for the blood of children taken so long ago
my grandson says, 'papa, I don't want you to die'
I swear that little boy always makes me cry
Folks come to say that I've led a good life
with many fine children and a wonderful wife
but the secrets you keep bring a man to his knees
so listen dear Lord to my last earthly plea
Have them children waiting for me when I go
so I can hear them playing in that soft Christmas snow
I'll come once more as a temp for hire
because I am the one who yelled 'there's a fire'
and something that got lost in them days
when the newspaper fellers they all went away
them children were buried close to Italian Hall
and then we crushed the strike once and for all
Shame can't be seen by the eyes of a child
or a man turned by money into something more wild
you can hide from the Lord but soon He'll see
and now fire is just what's waiting for me