Songs of Love and Rebellion/The strike

by Covington Hall

THE STRIKE

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Say what ye will, ye owls of night,
The strike upholds the cause of right;
The strike compels the king to pause,
The statesmen to remould the laws.

Say what ye will, yet, without ruth,
The strike drives home the bitter truth;
The strike tears off the mask of things,
To mass and class the issue brings.

Say what ye will, the strike is good:
It clears things long misunderstood:
It jolts the social mind awake:
It forces men a stand to take.

Say what ye will, all else above,
The strike is war for bread and love;
For raiment, shelter, freedom, all
The human race can justice call.