Ludlow Massacre
Woody Guthrie
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It was early springtime when the strike was on, They drove us miners out of doors, Out from the houses that the Company owned, We moved into tents up at old Ludlow. I was worried bad about my children, Soldiers guarding the railroad bridge, Every once in a while a bullet would fly, Kick up gravel under my feet. We were so afraid you would kill our children, We dug us a cave that was seven foot deep, Carried our young ones and pregnant women Down inside the cave to sleep. That very night your soldiers waited, Until all us miners were asleep, You snuck around our little tent town, Soaked our tents with your kerosene. You struck a match and in the blaze that started, You pulled the triggers of your gatling guns, I made a run for the children but the fire wall stopped me. Thirteen children died from your guns. I carried my blanket to a wire fence corner, Watched the fire till the blaze died down, I helped some people drag their belongings, While your bullets killed us all around. I never will forget the look on the faces Of the men and women that awful day, When we stood around to preach their funerals, And lay the corpses of the dead away. We told the Colorado Governor to call the President, Tell him to call off his National Guard, But the National Guard belonged to the Governor, So he didn't try so very hard. Our women from Trinidad they hauled some potatoes, Up to Walsenburg in a little cart, They sold their potatoes and brought some guns back, And they put a gun in every hand. The state soldiers jumped us in a wire fence corners, They did not know we had these guns, And the Red-neck Miners mowed down these troopers, You should have seen those poor boys run. We took some cement and walled that cave up, Where you killed these thirteen children inside, I said, "God bless the Mine Workers' Union," And then I hung my head and cried.
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Written by: WOODY GUTHRIE
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10 facts about this song
Historical ContextThe song "Ludlow Massacre" was inspired by a real historical event, specifically the Ludlow Massacre that took place on April 20, 1914, in Colorado. The event was a violent conflict between miners and mine security guards that resulted in multiple deaths.
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Woody Guthrie's InspirationWoody Guthrie was a renowned folk singer known for his politically charged songs. He was moved to compose "Ludlow Massacre" after reading about the tragic event.
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Song's CompositionGuthrie composed the song in 1944, about 30 years after the actual massacre. It became one of the earliest examples of protest songs in the folk music genre.
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Introduction to a Later WorkThe song "Ludlow Massacre" was instrumental in shaping Guthrie's later masterpiece album, "Dust Bowl Ballads."
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Lyrical ContextThe lyrics of Guthrie's "Ludlow Massacre" recount the horrific event, with lines like "The strikers' wives tried to fight back, but intoxicated troopers savagely attacked."
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Musical StyleThe song is typical of Guthrie's acoustic, folk style. It features simple guitar strumming and his distinctive, raw vocal quality.
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Impact and InfluenceGuthrie's song has been covered by other artists over the years, proving its influence within the folk and protest song tradition. It continues to remind listeners about this dark episode in American labor history.
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LegacyThe song "Ludlow Massacre" was posthumously inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1988, a testament to its significant cultural contribution.
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Documentary ElementGuthrie's songs often served as a form of oral history, and "Ludrow Massacre" is no exception. This song captures and helps in preserving a significant, tragic event from the past.
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Social and Political MessageThe song "Ludlow Massacre" is an example of Guthrie's commitment to social justice, reflecting his readiness to use music as a tool for socio-political change. It's a stark commentary on the hardships faced by working-class individuals and the mistreatment they received at the hands of those in power.
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