tradesunions

135d

“A rat race is for rats. We’re not rats. We’re human beings.”

Shipyard union leader James Reid was elected Rector of the University of Glasgow in 1971. He gave his rectorial address #OTD, 28 April, 1972. The New York Times reprinted it, & called it the greatest political speech since the Gettysburg Address. Read it online at

https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_167194_smxx.pdf

#Scottish #literature #politics #alienation #politicalspeech #Glasgow #GlasgowUniversity #TradesUnions #workingclass #WorkingClassHistory

The cover of ALIENATION, James Reid's Rectorial Address at the University of Glasgow in 1972. The cover shows two black-and-white photos quartered together by a saltire cross. The left and right sections show a view of a quadrangle at the University; the top and bottom quadrants show a view of cranes and a line of shipyard workers respectively.

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132d

Tae the Lords o’ Juteopolis the weavers hae spoke
“If ye rug doon oor wages, as sure as the cleck
We’ll fling up the shuttle; we’ll sune lat ye pree
The pluck o’ the lasses o’ Bonnie Dundee.”

—Mistress Lapstane, “Ane Strik(eing) Ballant”, 12 August 1875
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#Scottish #literature #poem #poetry #InternationalWorkersDay #MayDay #19thcentury #Victorian #strike #union #tradesunions

75. ‘Ane Strik(eing) Ballant’, Air – ”Bonnie Dundee”, by Mistress Lapstane, 12 August 1875. Published 28 August 1875.

Tae the Lords o’ Juteopolis the weavers hae spoke –
”If ye rug doon oor wages, as sure as the cleck
We’ll fling up the shuttle; we’ll sune lat ye pree
The pluck o’ the lasses o’ Bonnie Dundee.”

Chorus – Then hurrah for the lasses, sae dauntless an’ fair,
Let them stand by their colours, an’ tyranny dare;
While there’s hearts that can feel, an’ hands gleg tae gie,
Nae fear o’ starvation tae Bonnie Dundee.

The lasses hae struck, they march up the street;
They cry, ”We’ll ne’er yield while there’s shune on oor feet;”
An’ ilka douce neebour says, ”E’en lat it be –
There’s room for improvements in Bonnie Dundee.”

Chorus – Then hurrah for the lasses, &c.

There are weavers in Forfar an’ weavers in Perth,
There are weavers in Belfast an’ ilk ither airth;
An’ the cry frae ilk point is, ”We’re willin’ tae gie;”
An’ subscriptions are hurlin’ tae Bonnie Dundee.

Chorus – Then hurrah for the lasses, &c.

Noo, defy ilka bribe, though the shuttles sud rust –
Be ruled by your leaders, they’re worthy o’ trust;
I’m nae sworn prophet, but bide ye awee,
An’ ye’ll get a’ ye’re wantin’ in Bonnie Dundee.

Chorus – Then hurrah for the lasses, sae dauntless an’ fair,
An’ three cheers for the strike that’ll sune be nae mair;
Sin’ there’s hearts that can feel, an’ hands gleg tae gie,
Nae fear o’ the weavers o’ Bonnie Dundee.

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