I don't want to be found dead in Utah

"I don't want to be found dead in Utah"

Joel Emmanuel Hägglund aka Joe Hill

be you strong, in strength you dare

be you borne upon the air

do your singing in the night

in all things, try to be fair

you can take that anywhere

remember, take my body out of sight

lift your voices, we all shine

don't be afraid to be divine

 join the world, and join the fight

the people know what they all saw

don't find me dead, not in Utah

remember, take my body out of sight

(chorus)

first they ignore you

then they laugh at you

then they fight you

then you win

just remember

each November

Joe Hill is laughing with a grin

be you weak, or be you strong

lift your voices in the songs

no one's alone, sounds so right

they can build walls higher still

but they can't keep out Joe Hill

we are all the secret of the light

lift your voices, we all shine

don't be afraid to be divine

 join the world, and join the fight

the people know what they all saw

don't find me dead, not in Utah

remember, take my body out of sight

(chorus)

first they ignore you

then they laugh at you

then they fight you

then you win

just remember

each November

Joe Hill is laughing with a grin

***

by mjs, written September 6th, 2015

We're still thinking about you, Joe

***

"Just prior to his execution, Hill had written to Bill Haywood, an IWW leader, saying, "Goodbye Bill. I die like a true blue rebel. Don't waste any time in mourning. Organize... Could you arrange to have my body hauled to the state line to be buried? I don't want to be found dead in Utah."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Hill

***