Issue #37
February 28, 2005
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Bigger Than Yourself by David Katz Unions have become such a small part of our national life that it is likely that most children never hear of them until high school, when they might be mentioned as part of the History curriculum. If they do hear about them on the nightly news, it is usually in the context of union corruption, or part of a politician's rant about teachers' unions obstructing educational reform.
John McCutcheon and Si Kahn set about to correct this situation and present the basic concepts of unions and collective action in words and music that children can understand. On a CD called "Bigger Than Yourself" John McCutcheon, a noted folk musician, ably backed by a rock/jazz/folk band, sings fifteen songs that lay out the basic concepts of unionization without ever mentioning the word "union". The first song, a rock ditty called I Got a Dime, explains how pooling resources can allow a group of people to get something (ice cream) that none of them as individuals could afford. The Principle tells the story of a request for a school fair, denied by the Principal, which is finally granted after students, teachers and staff all act together. Whatchagonnabe sings about the usefulness of all jobs, regardless of prestige levels.
Principles of union action are most clearly stated in Write It Down, about the need for written agreements, Someone Else Decide, about the usefulness of impartial arbitration, the rousing march Kids on Strike, about the need for recognition, Safe at Home, about safe working conditions, and Stick Together, about the power of united action. The remarkable thing about this CD is that these are lively songs that kids will enjoy; the lessons they teach are always in terms of situations that kids have encountered and can understand, and the word "union" is never mentioned. The songs describe without preaching.
Even the affecting and effective song Sing Me, about union heroes, never mentions the "U" word. Joe Hill, Mother Jones, Cesar Chavez and John L. Lewis are described as "the ones who stood and said no when everyone else answered yes ... the ones who played fair and demanded their share when everyone settled for less."
At a time when so many are feeling powerless, and so many have forgotten what can be achieved by banding togther to counteract power, this CD has a lot to say to children, and to grownups as well. It should be required listening for union leaders and Democratic politicos. The title song (and the last song on the album) says it best: "Everybody needs something bigger than themselves."
Bigger Than Yourself Rounder Kids CD 8044 Rounder Records Corp. One Camp Street, Cambridge MA 02140
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