In Calumet, Michigan, in 1913 hired copper company thugs broke up a striker's Christmas 
party by shouting "fire", and then barring the door. In the panic that ensued, 74 people were 
trampled to death, including 59 children. 

Woody chronicled the tragedy in one of his greatest songs, "1913 Massacre". This is my 
imagined end to the story, in which nobody was ever brought to justice. It's still a sore subject
in Calumet even today. 

Back in 1913 I was just 22 
and I done what them boss men told me to do 
had my nose in the air and a fine suit of clothes 
warm in the winter when that great lake wind blows 

copper was gold back here in them days 
and money can put a man's mind in a haze 
so keep them mines open the man said and with glee 
said "you know where they on this christmas eve" 

they said them strikers ain't like us you see 
they come to this country to replace you and me 
so give 'em a scare so they will know 
when they can come and where they can go 

Now I'm an old man and to hell will I go 
for the blood of children taken so long ago 
my grandson says, "papa, I don't want you to die" 
I swear that little boy always makes me cry 

Folks come to say that I've led a good life 
with many fine children and a wonderful wife 
but the secrets you keep bring a man to his knees 
so listen dear Lord to my last earthly plea 

Have them children waiting for me when I go 
so I can hear them playing in that soft Christmas snow 
I'll come once more as a temp for hire 
because I am the one who yelled "there's a fire" 

and something that got lost in them days 
when the newspaper fellers they all went away 
them children were buried close to Italian Hall 
and then we crushed the strike once and for all 

Shame can't be seen by the eyes of a child 
or a man turned by money into something more wild 
you can hide from the Lord but soon He'll see 
and now fire is just what's waiting for me 

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