Rebel Girl

from Texas Farewell by D. W. Wallach

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about

Written by the amazing Swedish-American labor leader, poet, and songwriter Joe Hill back in 1916. It combines multiple things I love: names of Bikini Kill songs, female empowerment, and the IWW.
I did change a lyric around in the middle of a chorus from "to the fighting Rebel Boy" to "Just like the fighting Rebel Boy". In my opinion, if one is encouraging more women to become more involved in radicalism and progressive causes, it should not be for the purpose "bringing joy" to the men involved in the cause. I don't believe the line was originally written with such ill intent, but this is simply how folk songs evolve.
The actual progression was lifted heavily from Hazel Dickens' fantastic bluegrass version.

lyrics

There are women of many descriptions
In this queer world, as everyone knows.
Some are living in beautiful mansions,
And are wearing the finest of clothes.
There are blue blooded queens and princesses,
Who have charms made of diamonds and pearl;
But the only and thoroughbred lady
Is the Rebel Girl.

Chorus:
That's the Rebel Girl, that's the Rebel Girl!
To the working class she's a precious pearl.
She brings courage, pride and joy
Just like the fighting Rebel Boy.
We've had girls before, but we need some more
In the Industrial Workers of the World.
For it's great to fight for freedom
With a Rebel Girl.

Yes, her hands may be hardened from labor,
And her dress may not be very fine;
But a heart in her bosom is beating
That is true to her class and her kind.
And the grafters in terror are trembling
When her spite and defiance she'll hurl;
For the only and thoroughbred lady
Is the Rebel Girl.

credits

from Texas Farewell, released July 10, 2015

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D. W. Wallach image

D. W. Wallach Austin, Texas

“Daniel Ward Wallach is a banjo player from Austin, Texas. He enjoys playing in the clawhammer style as well as early folk picking styles.” - 2014

Daniel now uses they them pronouns and is a weird mess

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