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BALLAD OF GENE DEBS, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: A tall, thin, elderly man
Last Line: I wish I had a piece of cloth %from his old coat
Subject(s): World War I


Oh, listen to the tale I tell
Of a brave and fearless man,
Who fought for justice, fought for right,
In every way he can.
His name was Gene Debs, my friends,
And he was bold and true;
He fought for workers' rights and dreams,
And for me and you.
Born into poverty and want,
He knew the pain and fear
Of those who toiled for little pay,
And held their loved ones dear.
But he was filled with righteous rage,
And vowed to make a change;
He fought the bosses tooth and nail,
And never did he range.
In every strike and picket line,
He stood right by their side;
He fought for wages, hours, and more,
And for their human pride.
He led the fight at Pullman Town,
When workers said "Enough!";
He led the strike that shook the land,
And made the bosses bluff.
He ran for president five times,
And each time did he dare
To speak the truth about our land,
And all the wrongs laid bare.
Bold and brave and true, his spirit still lives on,
And his words ring out across the land:
In every heart there burns a flame,
And that is where the battle must begin."
So let us remember Gene Debs,
And all he fought and won;
And let us carry on his work,
Until justice is done.






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