Dar Williams - Put The Coins On His Eyes Lyrics

 Dar Williams - 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