My children are seven in number

My children are seven in number,
We have to sleep four in a bed;
I’m striking with my fellow workers.
To get them more clothes and more bread.

Shoes, shoes, we’re striking
for pairs of shoes,
Shoes, shoes, we’re striking
for pairs of shoes.

Pellagra is cramping my stomach,
My wife is sick with TB;
My babies are starving for sweet milk,
Oh, there as so much sickness for me.

Milk, milk, we’re striking
for gallons of milk,
Milk, milk, we’re striking
for gallons of milk.

I’m needing a shave and a haircut,
But barbers I cannot afford;
My wife cannot wash without soapsuds,
And she had to borrow a board.

Soap, soap, we’re striking
for bars of soap,
Soap, soap, we’re striking
for bars of soap.

My house is a shack on the hillside,
Its doors are unpainted and bare;
I haven’t a screen to my windows,
And carbide cans do for a chair.

Homes, homes, we’re striking
for better homes,
Homes, homes, we’re striking
for better homes.

They shot Barney Graham our leader,
His spirit abides with us still;
The spirit of strength for justice,
No bullets have power to kill.

Barney, Barney, we’re thinking
of you today,
Barney, Barney, we’re thinking
of you today.

Oh, miners, go on with the union,
Oh, miners, go on with the fight;
For we’re in the struggle for justice,
And we’re in the struggle for right.

Justice, justice, we’re striking
for justice for all,
Justice, justice, we’re striking
for justice for all.