Song for the Knights of Labor

Into this life
We fall like the dew
Granted one glorious moment to be.
Pauper or prince we
All must then go
Back to a formless sea.

All through this world of beauty and woe
One simple law the
centuries show:
Our Maker's decree
If Maker there be
Labor must reap what labor does sow.
Labor must reap what labor does sow.

Why should the weak be prey to the strong?
Why does the tyrant's machinery run on?
To take for himself what does not belong,
The light of his brothers' sun?

Factory wheels spin hope into stone
Our modern day slave is worn to the bone,
Yet the spark of his will
The master would still,
Take for himself, even that for to own.
Take for himself, even that for to own.

(IRONS with CHORUS)
IRONS: In the dark a flame glows / CHORUS: Take heart, hope grows
IRONS: From the mount a wind blows / CHORUS: Faith mounts, heaven knows
IRONS: Hear the call! Feel the power! / CHORUS: May all honor
IRONS: Now the destined hour is at hand. / CHORUS: Crown our Working man.
IRONS: So unite! / CHORUS: Do right
IRONS: And prepare! / CHORUS: Risk, dare
ALL: When standing for justice, we'll not stand alone.

IRONS: By each tree a forest / CHORUS: Who'll be for us
IRONS: For each voice a chorus / CHORUS: Rejoice for us
IRONS: Each to each / CHORUS: Now we
IRONS: let us vow / CHORUS: all vow
ALL: Our blood and our honor, to solemnly offer,
that truth shall reign, and justice, shall be the right of all men.
CHORUS ALONE: Until the last sunset
when Gabriel's trumpet
shall call the whole world away!

IRONS: We are the knights who ride as of old
Honest, courageous, sober and bold
With a wave of our lance
CHORUS: With a wave of our lance
IRONS: The fire of our glance,
CHORUS: The fire of our glance
IRONS: Capital trembles and schemers grow cold.
Let us press onward and raise up the standard of right!
Now is the moment to join in the fight.

Weightless this life, as rays in a glass
Echoing dimly the face of the sun.
Fleet is the likeness, soon it must pass
So let it be justly done.