Don’t you hear the tread of million feet? Resistless marching on its way, Increasing steady in its speed, And heading for the perfect day
The perfect day is now in sight, The Labour Lion is aware He has to fight with all his might The enemy- to get his share Remorseless moving color gay Within the echoing mountain pass The bugle sounds the perfect day
Ceaseless the army marches on. For the enemy it doth not care The tyrant, parasite, shall die The Labour Lion takes his share
O, look upon the banners bright! With letters red as blood! You see marked down the victim’s names Who this brave army lost
Tho ones who lost their lives in gas Some sing’e, some by lots The ones in steelworkers’ fireblasts, Killed around the smelting pots
The ones who lost their lives at sea And smashed against the rocks; The ones who died in prison walls for fighting the big bugs.
The ones who were killed by gunmen’s shots For being out on strike The mothers, babies in their tents Who were murdered al alike
O, tremble, bunch of parasites who the work’s finance control, Humanity will never die, But you shall soon be cold
Ceaseless, the army marches on To avenge the ones who are slain They are heading for the perfect day When the slaves will break their chain.
George Straatman, MLH, 9 August 1924, p.7
By MIKE LELIEVRE
MIKE LELIEVRE – VOCALS, BACKUP VOCALS, ACOUSTIC GUITAR, BASS GUITAR AND PIANO
About Mike Lelievre
Mike LeLievre is a veteran of the Cape Breton music scene, having played in the bars since 13 and still going strong on bigger stages in farther places. Perhaps best known as Slowcoaster’s bassist, Mike has also released a solo album and is a virtuoso known to play guitar, bass, mandolin, slide and pretty much anything that makes sound. He writes songs and plays tunes for one-nighters, all-weekers, goodtimes bedtimes, ballrooms and barrooms.