Welfare Warriors'

Fight-Back Songs

Mother Warriors Fight Back  Carols
 
 

Make copies and take these carols to the streets--sing em loud--it's  fun!
 

To the tune of Jingle Bells
Got No Job
I thought I'd find a job
So I looked every day
For every buck I earned
Welfare took one away.
And when I lost my job
Back to the welfare mill
I thought it couldn't get much worse
Then Tommy called on Bill.

Oh got no job, no support
Got these kids to raise
To get through to my worker
Always takes at least 10 days.
(repeat)

Tommy Thompson's nuts
If he thinks we'll kiss his butt
He wants us all to die
So he tells the world a lie.
He thinks we want to be
In dire poverty
He takes away our kids' support
And kicks us publicly.

Oh got no job, no support
Tommy's after me
Now with Bill to help him out
They'll really gang bang me.
(repeat)


to the tune of Deck the Halls
         Pack the Halls
Pack the halls with angry mothers,
ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma
Still families without the fathers
pa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa,
We work hard to raise up li-ives
ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma
While Clinton lies and terrorizes
blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah
to the tune of We Three Kings
We Are Moms
We are moms on welfare who are
Joining here from near and from far
Loud and strong to sing our song
We know every child's a star
(chorus)
Oh our kids are wondrous, they are bright
They're unique and they have rights
Don't ignore them--we adore them
So we will keep up the fight
Born a babe for mother to care
Not her fault if daddy's not there
Love's forever, ceasing never
Communities must share
(chorus)
Oh-O we will not give up the fight
Our kids shine with brilliant light
We-e fight for them--don't ignore them
We must make their futures bright

to the tune of Joy to the World
Strong and Wise
First Tommy says we ain't worth crap          We are the mothers, strong and wise
Then TV Six adds flak                             Not thieves and sluts in disguise
The politics and media run on like diarrhea                 Let all hardworking mothers
With cheap shots and with lies                                Join up with one another
And all that money buys                                 And join us all right here
Propaganda that says that every poor mom lies         Our message loud and clear
                                                                      Together we will not fight this war in fear



 

To the tune of "The Little Drummer Boy"
Our Kids Need Guarantees

Mothers work - we are not bum-bum-bum-bums
And yet they treat us like we're scum-bum-bum-bums
We ask for peace and we get none-none-none-none
Our kids need guarantees pa-rum-pum-pum-pum,
rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum
Moms should be revered pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
For the jobs we have done

Tommy Thompson is a crumb-bum-bum-bum
He steals from us with help from media guns
They all have funds, our kids need some-some-some-some
The governmental plans are dumb-dumb-dumb-dumb,
dumb-dumb-dumb-dumb, dumb-dumb-dumb-dumb
All our children deserve fun-fun-fun-fun
Not homes in a slum

We buy our formula, not rum-rum-rum-rum
Yet TV Six shouts out we're scum-bum-bum-bums
The legislators join ha-rump-pa-pum-pum
Our families won't run, pa-rum-pa-pum-pum,
rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum
So we're here today, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Together we've come!!

To the tune of "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
We Take Care of Mother Earth

We take care of Mother Earth
The sick, the young, the old
But our work has no value still
At least that's what we're told

We live here in Milwaukee
Aren't giving up the fight
We will protect our children's lives
And fight to get their rights


To the tune of Silent Night
When We Get Work
When we get work
we lose cash support
even though
our wages are low
Too many moms
make just minimum wage
why are we victims of
hatred and rage?
No safety net for our children
No sick days or benefits

Maximus says
You're "job ready" Go!
Find a job
Don't be slow
You need no rent money
no skills, no pay
Manpower's waiting
They won't go away
Be a temp or we'll make you
Work as a slave for us ghouls

To the tune of Good King Wenceslaus
Now We're Fighting Back
Tommy Thompson once looked down
on families he'd stepped on
Satisfaction filled his heart
And that is why he kept on
One day he devised a plan worse than any other
To stigmatize dependent folks
And torture every mo-other
He began to take away money that was needed
Targeted our families and certainly succeeded
Now he got the president to join in the attack
Thought that we'd lie down and die
But now we're fight b-a-ack

To the tune of "The First Noel"
Unite Unite
We-e wi-ll unite as long as our kids
Are sold out to the lo-ow-est government bids
U-unite, unite, u-unite, unite
We are the moms who won't give up the fight

Bill wants us to go away but we're here to stay
He's the thief that takes all of our money away
U-unite, unite, u-unite, unite
We are the moms who won't give up the fight

To the tune of "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer"
Ronnie the White House Moron

You know Thompson and Clinton and Norquist
I know
Those rich, white old fellas that stomp on us so
But do you recall
The best terrorist of them all...

Ronnie the White House moron
Had a very sick new plan
Steal from single poor moms
And give it to a rich, white man
He said the rich man's money
Would trickle down on everyone
The rich men took all our money
Left the poor exactly none

The rich got richer every day
Poor folks got the shaft
Ronnie simply looked around
And let out a jolly laugh

Then all the poor folk loathed him
They all shouted out loudly
Ronnie the White House moron
Did his job pathetically...
Ronnie the White House moron
You'll go down in history

 to the tune of Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
Families Standing Around an Open Fire
Families standing round an open fire
Trying hard to get some heat
T-i-ny tots with their eyes all aglow
are praying for some food to eat
They know that Santa's just a lie
They once believed but then old Tommy
made him die
And then at night the Children in their sleep
Can faintly hear their mothers soft and gently weep
And so I'm offering this simple prayer
For my kids who are nine and eight and two
I wish Christmas could be the way it used to be
'fore Tommy took it all from you

to the tune of  The Twelve Days of Christmas
The Twelve Days of Welfare

On the first day of welfare
the system gave to me...
A worker that never did work

On the second day of welfare
the system gave to me...
No food stamps and
A worker that never did work

On the third day of welfare
the system gave to me...
No call back
No food stamps and
A worker that never did work

On the fourth day of welfare
the system gave to me...
A five hour wait
no call back
no fo-od stamps and
A worker that never did work

On the fifth day of welfare
the system gave to me...
No ben-e-fits
A five hour wait
No call back
No food stamps and
A worker that never did work

On the sixth day of welfare
the system gave to me...
One termination
No ben-e-fits
A five hour wait
No call back
No fo-od stamps and
A worker that never did work

On the seventh day of welfare
the system gave to me...
Maximus and Workfare
One termination
No ben-e-fits
A five hour wait
No call back
No fo-od stamps and
A worker that never did work

On the eighth day of welfare
the system gave to me...
Phony baloney job search
Maximus and Workfair
One termination
No ben-e-fits
A five hour wait
No call back
No food stamps and
A worker that never did work

On the ninth day of welfare
the system gave to me...
"Motivation" meetings
Phony baloney job search
Maximus and Workfare
One termination
No ben-e-fits
A five hour wait
No call back
No-o food stamps and
A worker that never did work

On the tenth day of welfare
the system gave to me...
Ten angry talk shows
"motivation" meetings
Phony baloney job search
Maximus and Workfare
One termination
No ben-e-fits
A five hour wait
No call back
No-o food stamps and
A worker that never did work

On the eleventh day of welfare
the system gave to me
A notice of decision
Ten angry talk shows
"Motivation" meetings
Phony Baloney job search
Maximus and Workfare
One termination
No ben-e-fits
A five hour wait
No call back
No food stamps and
A worker that never did work

On the twelfth day of welfare
the system gave to me...
No child care service
A notice of decision
Ten angry talk shows
"Motivation" meetings
Phony baloney job search
Maximus and Workfare
One termination
No ben-e-fits
A five hour wait
No call back
No fo-od stamps and
A worker that never did work
 
 
 
 

W2 Life is Scum

Mary's man left her with one tiny baby
She needed support so she didn't say maybe
She went to the welfare the YW ran there
The Y told her she had to work, or die

Mary had heart disease so she couldn't please
YW women who kept her pay
Much as she wanted to make her own way
To try to work both jobs would soon end her days, end her days

Mary decided to ask for a hearing
She thought that the Y bosses would be more caring
She went to the hearing where Kim Coleman did say
"We can't let you lay around home all day."

Mary got sicker. The Doc couldn't figure
But still doc wouldn't defy the Y
Finally lupus was doc's diagnosis
Still YW welfare sent Mary to die, work and die

Mary's sweet baby will never know mama
unless we the people together will stand up
to fight the rich man and professional scams
Who make money off poor folk how ever they can

Let us all come to fight those who make life scum
Wars for greed waged on mothers in need
Throughout our life span we all will need a hand
The people united will take back the land, take the land,
take the land

 by Cathy Murphy and Pat Gowens






       Welfare Warriors Song
        (Sung to the Tune: "Tavern in the Town")

When Welfare Warriors come to town, come to town
There's help for the mothers who are down, who are down
They all take aim at the bureaucrats in power,
Who duck, hide, run away and cower!

Chorus --
Goodbye, guys we don't need you,
And it's too much work to feed you,
We'll move into all your offices and make rules fair!
Moms with babies can stay home, can stay home,
No more daily job-search on the phone, on the phone
So get out quick before we kick your asses,
We're on our way to college classes!

All the deadbeats will send checks, will send checks,
Our private-eyes will find each ex, find each ex,
And the moms need dough, so do not let them wait,
Don't send support checks to the state! -- Chorus

Tuition for the mothers will be free, will be fee
With day care provided for no fee, for no fee,
Moms get honor, dignity, respect--
Which family values should reflect! -- Chorus

We the people have the wealth, have the wealth
To Guarantee every child's health, every child's health
We'll change old laws and pass new bills
Our children need security, not pills -- Chorus
                                                      Lyrics by Sidney Spiegel, Caspar, WY


                      Give Moms A Chance
                       (to the tune of "Give Peace a Chance")

All we are asking
is give moms a chance

           When the Moms Go Marching In
                      (To the tune of "When the Saints Go Marching In")

Oh when the moms go marching in
Oh when the moms go marching in
Oh I want to be in that number
When the moms go marching in

Oh when the kids go marching in
Oh when the kids go marching in
Oh I want to be in that number
When the kids go marching in

Oh when our friends go marching in
Oh when our friends go marching in
Oh I want to be in that number
When our friends go marching in

Oh when the moms ...and when the kids ....
And when our friends go marching in -
Oh I want to be in that number
when we all go marching in!

Why Can't We Raise Our Families Up
     (To the Tune of "America the Beautiful")

Moms go to school to lift ourselves
Our "leaders" block our  way
We're s'posed to work and go to school
But work they give don't pay

Why can't we raise our families up
This scapegoating's a lie
They blame the poor for poverty
Our "leaders" must be high!
 


              Shame On Wisconsin!
                                (To the tune of "On Wisconsin")

Shame on Wisconsin, Shame on Thompson
Mothers in this state
Are forced to leave our sons and daughters
Morning 'til it's late - That's hate, hate

We work slave jobs
And we brave jobs
No paychecks in our name
Unite, Mothers, Fight Fight Fight Wisconsin's Shame

The disabled are not able
To make what W2 takes
Others can't work cuz they're injured
The Guv von't give them a break, break, break, break -

State osmosis,
Not Doctor's prognosis,
Determines who will slave
Wisconsin sends disabled moms to early graves

Working moms lose public aid
When kids still eat and grow
State politicians stop their grants
Though earnings are too low, low, low, low

Maximus tells moms with
No job, no cash and no hope
"Get a job, you don't need help, you lazy dope"

Disabled kids need moms to do
what they can't do alone
Wisconsin says moms have to leave when
no ones' left at home, home, home, home

There's no child care for sick children
while their mother slaves
Wisconsin sends sick babies to an early grave
                                                        Lyrics by Linda Ray & Pat Gowens, Milwaukee WI


 Just Learn to See
         (To the Tune of "The Star Spangled Banner")

USA can't you see
Thompson's dumping on me
They expect moms to work
For no Social Security
For no tax breaks, no pay
No one else works that way
It's slave-labor you know
and no one can deny it

Cuz  we work for no pay
Send our children away
Please do not let them do
What they can't do to you

USA when o-on earth will you ju-ust learn to see-ee
That they're coming after you, once they've finished with me!
                                 Lyrics by Linda Ray, Milwaukee, WI


                 Guaranteed Income
                                 (To the tune of "This Land Is Your Land")

Guaranteed Income's what we're demanding
The work of families needs understanding
Good paying jobs are not what we're landing
The government's ignoring you and me

A mother works hard to tend her family
But Uncle Sam says she gets no salary
The children suffer without a buffer
Children need some Income Guaranteed

There's always money for corporate welfare
For most Americans the moneys not there
We'll join together because it's too unfair
And take back this land for you and me

Low-income workers are used by business
The bosses  make more while giving us less
Without our labor they would have no success
Corporations steal from you and me

I  had a job once that I worked daily
Until they shipped it out of the country
I'm unemployed now no one will hire me
We need well- paid  jobs for you and me

They send our jobs out across the borders
To bring the profits back to the hoarders
Destroying nature and workers everywhere
Workers need Income Guaranteed

They break your body, sometimes your mind too
Then say "goodbye, gee we're sorry you're blue
We have no work here nothing that you can do"
Workers need Income Guaranteed

I've looked for new work no one will hire me
So now I'm working jobs temporary
I'm awfully lonely I need security
We all need some Income Guaranteed

You want a job, Hon? Wait by your phone then
We keep you on the run with no compassion
Temps get no benefits and no vacation pay
Temporary workers need real pay

They use our labor til we're disabled
Then "unemployable" is what we're labeled
We all have somethings in which we're able
We fight for support and dignity

They send the waged jobs so far away
And then expect us to live on G.A.
But we will fight for income and dignity
We will get up out of poverty

Mothers work hard all our children's lives
So that each young one of ours survives
We hate to see kids deprived when they should thrive
Families need Income Guaranteed

Children need not be abandoned each day
While mothers leave them working for slave pay
All moms who want to should stay at home with pay
Caregivers need Income Guaranteed

In every city there's a hungry child
And where the poor live toxins are piled
The rich have turned to agreed gone wild
That's why we need an Income Guaranteed

They watch our youth die; they hate us mothers
Then take away the real jobs for fathers
Sisters and brothers, let's come together
To fight for an Income Guaranteed

The Rich talk of values and yet they have none
They try to keep us under their greed gun
But we will not quit until support is won
Let's guarantee support for everyone

Within this country there should at least be
Guaranteed Income and prosperity
To keep all people from dire poverty
We must stop the rich man's war of greed

Chorus
This land is your land; This land is my land
From California to the New York Islands
Form the Red Wood Forest to the Gulf Stream Water
This land was made for you and me

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