Name: Mark Allen
Duration: P00H01M55S
Description: “Mark Allen was a young union organiser who was killed in 1996 when he fell from the roof of a building site in Perth.” John Warner is a prolific and gifted songwriter with many worthwhile albums to his credit.

John Warner - Mark Allen

from The People Have Songs - Volume 2 by Various Artists

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“Mark Allen was a young union organiser who was killed in 1996 when he fell from the roof of a building site in Perth.” John Warner is a prolific and gifted songwriter with many worthwhile albums to his credit.

lyrics

The roof Mark Allen fell from was a hangman’s trap of shame
But from the day Mark Allen died the union sings his fame

He’s every worker’s brother, he is the union’s son
And in Mark Allen’s memory we’ll fight ‘til we have won!

He went to inspect safety – a union worker’s right
But those who had the contract tried to bar him from the site

You contractors with cheap tin souls the truth you can’t deny
It was your unsafe practices that let Mark Allen die

“The union doesn’t pay your wage, you climb back up that wall”
So frightened young men went back up and saw Mark Allen fall

You bureaucrats of government who blame him for his death
His blood is on your murdering hands you lie with every breath

Mark Allen’s aching mother weeps, Mark Allen’s father grieves
The union’s weeping with them but it’s rolling up its sleeves

credits

from The People Have Songs - Volume 2, released August 14, 2020
traditional tune ‘The Ram of Derby’
words written & sung by John Warner

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about

Miguel Heatwole Sydney, Australia

Miguel’s a versatile singer, choral director & composer. His interests include folk & world music, political satire, the environment, trade unionism & the responsible enjoyment of alcohol. His songwriting embraces themes like peace & justice, the family cat, & visceral passionate attraction. His enthusiasm for recording community singing has let many people share the power of their songs. ... more

miguelheatwole.com

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