Dump the Bosses

I first learned of the song Dump The Bosses Off Your Back when I heard Utah Phillips sing it. Utah was an anarchist, activist, folk singer, storyteller and supporter of the IWW aka Industrial Workers of the World Union (and so much more).

Utah was a song, poem and story collector and over the years I have collected his recordings. I find significance in his work as he spoke for the people and encouraged others to do so as well.

Dump the Bosses is a union workers song and Utah sang it with gusto and heart. I feel lucky to have come across this version. Ani Difranco sings it here. She and Utah collaborated in the past and I feel that she carries on the spirit of his work.



DUMP THE BOSSES OFF YOUR BACK
John Brill 1916

Are you poor, forlorn and hungry?
Are there lots of things you lack ?
Is your life made up of misery?
Then dump the bosses off your back.
Are your clothes all patched and tattered?
Are you living in a shack ?
Would you have your troubles scattered?
Then dump the bosses off your back.

Are you almost split asunder?
Loaded like a long-eared jack?
Boob - why don't you buck like thunder,
And dump the bosses off your back?
All the agonies you suffer
You can end with one good whack
Stiffen up, you orn'ry duffer
And dump the bosses off your back.


Utah Phillips - "Dump the Bosses Off Our Backs" at the Vancouver Folk Festival

For more information on Utah Phillps go to The Long Memory or http://www.righteousbabe.com/artists/utahphillips/index.asp

For more information on Ani Difranco go to Righteous Babe Records