Project Link
https://www.facebook.com/ben.grosscup/videos/10157419609295663/

Part 2 of 2: Mini-Concert on the Picket Line with Stop and Shop Workers in Waterbury, CT

This second half of a Mini Concert was given on the picket line in front of the Stop and Shop store in Waterbury, CT during the strike by UFCW Local 919 Members: https://www.facebook.com/ben.grosscup/videos/10157419609295663/

LYRICS FOR MULTIPLE SONGS:

"Let's Stop Shopping at Stop and Shop"
To the tune: “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho”, a song that is believed to have been composed by enslaved Africans in the United States during the first half of the 19th century. Adapted by Ben Grosscup based on lyrics from a 1980s song, as recalled by Steve Jones.

Let's stop shopping at Stop and Shop
Stop and Shop, Stop and Shop
Let's stop shopping at Stop and Shop
Til we win a fair contract.

This company’s based in Holland
But I’ll tell you what’s worse
They’re only out for profits
And they don’t care who it hurts

Our labor built these buildings
Our sweat is on the ground
They can mock us and mistreat us
But won’t tear our union down

When we stand together
We’re making one thing clear
When the company screws even one of us
Resistance will appear

There’s a better world a-coming
I can see it in my dreams
Where we’re treated like people
Instead of like machines

"Power of a Union" By Si Kahn
Every day (Every day)
Every night (Every night)
Will you fight for the things that you believe in?
Will you stand? (Will you stand?)
Hand in hand (Hand in hand)
Hand in hand with the power of a union

Some people never say no to the boss
They take what they get for their labor
Others will stand up no matter the cost
And fight for the rights of their neighbor

Some people never say what’s on their mind
They wait for others to find them
Others will step up to the front of the line
And call ‘til there’s hundreds behind them

Verse Added By Ben Grosscup:

Some people never say yes to a dream
They say the change we need can wait for later
Others will rise up, demanding things they’ve never seen
And with each victory fight for changes even greater

"Rise as One"
By Aaron Fowler

We will MARCH as one
We will STAND as one
We will rise as one (x2)

We will rise as one (x2)
Working hand in hand
We will rise as one

LAUGH CRY
WORK STRIKE
FIGHT WIN

  • Ben Grosscup
    Author
  • Ben Grosscup
    Name of Band or Artist
  • Ben Grosscup
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Music Video
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 25 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 18, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography

BEN GROSSCUP leads songs on picket lines and at union meetings to agitate for workers’ power on the job. Drawing upon activist folk singing traditions, he brings new songs to the places where they are most relevant. He works with unions and other social justice organizations to raise political consciousness while singing together for a common purpose. The unions he has sung for include: Massachusetts Nurses Association; Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals; United Nurses and Allied Professionals; New York State Nurses Association; Massachusetts Teachers Association; United Food and Commercial Workers, Locals 1459 abnd 919; and SEIU Local 509. He performs a wide range of politically inspired music—much of it original. He is working on his debut CD release.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I write and adapt songs and lead them on picket lines to give workers a chance to experience the power of group singing for building union and community solidarity.

Much of my work as a picket line song leader has been with nurses unions. Nurses already know about systemic staffing and safety problems at hospitals from their daily experience, but they rarely hear a song that directly addresses those problems. So I bring it to them in the moments where they are mobilized in collective action.

Joe Hill, Woody Guthrie, and Pete Seeger, Charlie King, Anne Feeney and others are among the activist folksingers who developed the tradition I follow in. It is a tradition where workers sing together to amplify their political and economic power.