Art & Culture

ALU Union Songs



The following are the lyrics of three union songs written by Tristan “Lion” Dutchin, and videos of their performances. The Amazon Labor Union (ALU) organizer sung the first two with fellow organizer Justine Medina at an April 8, 2022, press conference[1] outside LDJ5, Amazon’s sort center on Staten Island, New York. A union election is set to take place at LDJ5 April 25-29. Tristan performed the third song, “Election Time,” at a February 22, 2022, ALU fundraiser[2] held at the People’s Forum in New York City. The artist sent the lyrics and the “Election Time” video clip to World-Outlook. We are publishing them because of their artistic value and the inspiration they continue to provide to ALU’s magnificent organizing campaigns.


ALU organizers Tristan “Lion” Dutchin (center, holding mike) and Justine Medina (to his left) perform “Union Train” song during April 8, 2022, press conference in front of LDJ5, Amazon’s sort center on Staten Island, New York. (Photo: Argiris Malapanis / World-Outlook)

By Tristan “Lion” Dutchin

The Union Train

What’s that I see yonder coming, coming (3x)
Get on board! (2x)

Is that the Union train ah coming (2x)
Get on board! (2x)

It has saved many a thousand, thousand! (3x)
Get on board! (2x)

It will carry us to freedom, freedom! (3x)
Get on board! (2x)


Billionaires They Got to Go!

(Intro)
When I say AL you say U!
ALU! ALU!

Listen!

(Verse 1)
System ah try fi bring we down to ah lower level
Amazon corporation is nothing special
Treating workers like slaves that is the work of the devil
Never again in your life, mediocre nah settle
Inna Staten Island, warehouse is like prison
Jeff Bezos and his henchmen will never listen
Everyday dem mek dem money off of di workers, real ting
It’s time to come together and expose the propaganda in

(Hook)
Heathen yuh better now run!
The ALU come!
We don’t carry knives or guns!
What do we really want?
A strong union
When we want it?
Now! Not soon!

(Verse 2)
Billionaires they got to go! (3x)
Amazon should know
This is our streets (3x)
More Fyah, Real Heat!
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, Bun 12! (2x)

(Intro again)
When I say AL you say U!
ALU! ALU!

Listen!

(Verse 3)
United we stand, divided we fall!
It’s Solidarity for y’all
Authorities you better not call!
We stand firm with our backs against the wall!
We bring hope & peace with information
Signatures we get for an election
Bun out the confusion & union busting
Bun out di TOT dem too corrupting 
Everyday at the station, no adjustments
The same damn thing at Amazon Fulfillment
Amazon feeds this narrative, that workers nah trust us
We bring food, shirts, weed, employees do trust us!
March with the people, screaming “Let’s Shut it down!”
If we don’t get it
We goin all around town
History in the making, Yo mi neva forget this
This moment in this lifetime, I sit back & reminisce
Only one life to live, The union mek ah difference

(Verse 1 again)

(Hook again)

(Intro again)

(Conclusion)


‘The Union Train’ & ‘Billionaires They Got to Go’ Video

Video with remarks by ALU secretary Karen Ponce at April 8, 2022, union press conference. After Ponce’s speech, ALU organizers Tristan “Lion” Dutchin and Justine Medina led the singing of the “Union Train” and “Billionaires They Got to Go.” (Video: Argiris Malapanis / World-Outlook)

Election Time

(Intro)
Now it’s time to make a change for the betterment 🎶

(Hook)
The ALU rise up, undefeated
Keep going strong, Our work almost completed
We’ve come a long way, no more tears & weeping

Just Vote Yes

(Verse 1)
Election Time is coming
For the young & old

Haffi stand firm like a lion, big & bold

Better show up, or else…. you have really sold
You’ll be charged, might as well run back in ya home
This is a serious family affair, If yuh want to contribute, get involved, apply ya self, the greater victory is coming near & here
Big up the ALU crew! From Months & Years we are fighting fi di struggle from Dusk til Dawn!

(Hook 2x)

(Verse 2)
Ah Jump fi Joy 5x
What you gonna do now?!
What you gonna say now!?
I know will win, Together! Young & Old!


‘Election Time’ Video

“Election Time” performance by Tristan “Lion” Dutchin. (Video: Courtesy of the artist)

NOTES

[1] See “Build Amazon Labor Union April 24 Rally! ALU: ‘Vote Yes at LDJ5!’,” published by World-Outlook on April 13, 2022.

[2] SeeUnion Vote Set at NY Amazon Warehouse,” published by World-Outlook on February 23, 2022.


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