"Put The Coins On His Eyes" lyrics

When a ancient hero passed
Oh, a boat would meet them there
His friends would pay the boatman's fare
Every drachma they could spare

We are gathered here today
By our union brother's side
May we speed his final ride
For his soul was dearly tried

When he dies, when he dies
Put the coins on his eyes
In a fine suit, neatly pressed
Let the man get some rest

When the Wagner Act was law
A better future was in sight
As a union we would fight
And the workers would unite

But when the bosses doubled down
Our friend would keep our spirits strong
Said we knew our right from wrong
And to a family we belonged

When he dies, when he dies
Put the coins on his eyes
In a fine suit, neatly pressed
Let the man get some rest

The strikes and marches we planned
We'd sit in, we would stand
Side-by-side we ever will
In this country we have built

Let us place an extra dime
To the boatman below
Down in Hades we know
That the company owns his soul

He'll be lonesome as he rows
With his weary, calloused hands
Never march or take a stand
Never be a union man

When he dies, when he dies
Put the coins on his eyes
In a fine suit, neatly pressed
Let the man get some rest

Farewell, dear brother
Farewell, dear friend
Farewell, farewell