THE OAKEY STRIKE EVICTIONS

It was in November and I never will forget
When the polisses and the candymen at Oakey Hooses met
Johnny the Bellman he was there, a-squintin' roondaboot
And they put three men on every door to turn the miners oot

What would I dee if I had the power mesel'
I would hang the twenty candymen and Johnny whey carries the bell

They went from hoose to hoose and then they put things in the road
But mind they didn’t hurt themselves carrying heavy loads
One would carry the poker oot the fender or the rake
But if they carried two at once it was a great mistake

What would I dee if I had the power mesel'
I would hang the twenty candymen and Johnny whey carries the bell

Some of the dandy candymen were dressed up like a clown
Some had hats without a peak and some without a crown
One had nee laps on his coat but there was one chap worse
'Cos every time he had to stoop it was a laughable farce

What would I dee if I had the power mesel'
I would hang the twenty candymen and Johnny whey carries the bell

Now there was one chap had nee sleeves or buttons upon his coat
And another had a bairnies ribbon wrapped around his throat
One chap wore a pair of breeks belonging to a boy
One leg was a sort of tweed and the other was corduroy

What would I dee if I had the power mesel'
I would hang the twenty candymen and Johnny whey carries the bell

Well next up comes the masters and I think they should be shamed
Depriving wives and families of a comfortable hyem
And when they shift from where they live I hope they gan to hell
Along with the twenty candymen and Johnny whey carries the bell

What would I dee if I had the power mesel'
I would hang the twenty candymen and Johnny whey carries the bell

Aye it was in November, I never will forget
When the polisses and the candymen at Oakey Hooses met
Johnny the Bellman he was there, a-squintin' roondaboot
And they put three men on every door to turn the miners not

What would I dee if I had the power mesel'
I would hang the twenty candymen and Johnny whey carries the bell

What would I dee if I had the power mesel'
I would hang the twenty candymen and Johnny whey carries the bell

(lyrics: Tommy Armstrong/ music: Trad. arr. The Whisky Priests)