The Rebel Girl (song)
Encyclopedia
"The Rebel Girl" is a song written by Joe Hill
in 1911. The song was published in the Little Red Songbook
, and as sheet music in 1915.
Joe Hill
Joe Hill, born Joel Emmanuel Hägglund in Gävle , and also known as Joseph Hillström was a Swedish-American labor activist, songwriter, and member of the Industrial Workers of the World...
in 1911. The song was published in the Little Red Songbook
Little Red Songbook
thumb|180px|right|The Little Red SongbookSince the founding of the Industrial Workers of the World, also known as the IWW, songs have played a big part in spreading the message of the One Big Union...
, and as sheet music in 1915.
Lyrics and style
- There are women of many descriptions
- In this queer world, as everyone knows,
- Some are living in beautiful mansions,
- And are wearing the finest of clothes.
- There are blue blooded queens and princesses,
- Who have charms made of diamonds and pearl;
- But the only and thoroughbred lady
- Is the Rebel Girl.
- (Chorus)
- That's the Rebel Girl, That's the Rebel Girl.
- To the working class she's a precious pearl.
- She brings courage, pride and joy
- To the fighting Rebel Boy
- We've had girls before, but we need some more
- In the Industrial Workers of the World.
- For it's great to fight for freedom
- With a Rebel Girl.
- Yes, her hands may be harden'd from labor
- And her dress may not be very fine;
- But a heart in her bosom is beating
- That is true to her class and her kind.
- And the grafters in terror are trembling
- When her spite and defiance she'll hurl.
- For the only and thoroughbred lady
- Is the Rebel Girl.
- (Repeat chorus)