Stephen Flaherty
The Night That Goldman Spoke at Union Square
[EMMA GOLDMAN, spoken]
Comrades, I have just returned from Lawrence, Massachusetts, where workers stand in front of the looms for sixty-four hours a week and earn under six dollars. When the mill gave out short pay, the workers went on strike. We must support them!
[YOUNGER BROTHER]
It was winter in New York
As the snow began to fall
And the workmen's hall had not a seat to spare
When a young man ducked inside
Just to warm himself, was all
The night that Goldman spoke at Union Square
[EMMA GOLDMAN, spoken]
Yes, this is the land of opportunity, but opportunity for men like Mr. J.P. Morgan!
[YOUNGER BROTHER]
She was speaking loud and fast
Through a haze of noise and heat
And the smell of sweat and anger in the air
The police were standing by
But the crowd was on its feet
The night that Goldman spoke at Union Square
[EMMA GOLDMAN, spoken]
Join us, sisters, brothers! Yes you, rich boy! You, too!
[YOUNGER BROTHER]
And her words rang out like arrows
And they pierced him
[EMMA GOLDMAN]
Sisters, brothers
[YOUNGER BROTHER]
He felt flushed and overheated as a boy
[EMMA GOLDMAN]
Truth has led you here
[YOUNGER BROTHER]
As she filled and overwhelmed him
With a fierce and sudden joy
[EMMA GOLDMAN]
Sisters, brothers
Stand together
Truth will bring you joy!
[YOUNGER BROTHER]
He was calling out her name
Shouting what, he did not know
And he found that he was standing on a chair
With a heart as clean and new
As the freshly fallen snow
The night that Goldman spoke—
[EMMA GOLDMAN, spoken]
I've been waiting for you.
[YOUNGER BROTHER]
—At Union Square
[Crossfade with the sounds of the strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts.]
[CROWD, spoken]
Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike!
Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike!
[Gunfire, screams, and a crowd in panic.]