The Night That Goldman Spoke at Union Square Lyrics

Emma Goldman:
Comrades, I have just returned from Lawrence, Massachusetts, where workers stand in front of the looms for 64 hours a week and earn under 6 dollars. When the mill gave out short pay, the workers went on strike. We must support them!

Younger Brother:
IT WAS WINTER IN NEW YORK
AS THE SNOW BEGAN TO FALL,
AND THE WORKMAN'S HALL HAD NOT A SEAT TO SPARE.
WHEN A YOUNG MAN DUCKED INSIDE
JUST TO WARM HIMSELF, WAS ALL.
THE NIGHT THAT GOLDMAN SPOKE AT UNION SQUARE.

Emma:
Yes, this is the Land of Opportunity, but opportunity for men like Mr.
J.P. Morgan!

Younger Brother:
SHE WAS SPEAKING LOUD AND FAST
THROUGH A HAZE OF NOISE AND HEAT
AND A SMELL OF SWEAT AND ANGER IN THE AIR.
THE POLICE WERE STANDING BY
BUT THE CROWD WAS ON ITS FEET,
THE NIGHT THAT GOLDMAN SPOKE AT UNION SQUARE.

Emma:
Join us, sisters. Brothers! Yes, you, rich boy! You, too!

Younger Brother: (simultaneously with Emma)
AND HER WORDS RANG OUT
LIKE ARROWS
AND THEY PIERCED HIM.
HE FELT FLUSHED AND
OVERHEATED AS A BOY
AS SHE FILLED AND
OVERWHELMED HIM
WITH A FIERCE AND SUDDEN JOY

Emma: (simultaneously with Younger Brother)
SISTERS, BROTHERS
TRUTH HAS LED YOU HERE
SISTERS, BROTHERS
STAND TOGETHER!
TRUTH WILL BRING
YOU JOY!

Younger Brother:
HE WAS CALLING OUT HER NAME,
SHOUTING WHAT, HE DID NOT KNOW,
AND HE FOUND THAT HE WAS STANDING ON A CHAIR
WITH A HEART AS CLEAN AND NEW
AS THE FRESHLY FALLEN SNOW
THE NIGHT THAT GOLDMAN SPOKE...

Emma:
I've been waiting for you.

Younger Brother:
AT UNION SQUARE.

Crowd:
Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike!Strike!