Dan Hall
When ships are lost, it is trade unionists who die. This is a song of their organization.
lakeSeamansUnionMen-56.ram (59 bytes)
lakeSeamansUnionMen-256.ram (60 bytes)
Dan Hall
When ships are lost, it is trade unionists who die. This is a song of their organization.
The Lake Seamen's Union was an original constituent of the National Union of Seamen of America formed in 1892 in Chicago. Later the National's name was changed to the International Seamen's Union. At the 1938 AFL convention it was changed again to Seafarer's International Union The organization has an interesting and storied history.
One of songwriter David Norris's prized possessions is a 1907 Lake Seamen's Union constitution/bylaws, containing a dues receipt from the union's Detroit agent for 50 cents for the month of June, 1907, for wheelsman Harold Hart of Toledo, Ohio. Norris found it many years ago in a second-hand bookstore and it is still in "like new" condition.
The preamble says:
"We, the seamen of the Great Lakes, having thoroughly learned the value of organization, believe that whatever rights belong to one member belong to all members alike as long as they remain in good standing in the Union. First of these rights is the right of each member to receive fair and just remuneration for his labor, and to gain sufficient leisure for mental cultivation and physical recreation. We hold that these rights belong to all seamen alike, irrespective of nativity or creed. Recognizing the above as our inalienable rights, we are conscious of corresponding duties to those in command, our employer, our craft and the country in which we live. It is among our objects tyo use our influence individually and collectively for the purpose of effecting a change in the maritime law of the United States so as to render it more equitable and make it an aid instead of a hindrance to the development of a merchant marine and a body of American seamen. To assist other organizations when possible in the attainment of their just demands. To regulate our conduct as a union and as individuals so as to make seamanship what it has a right to be, one of the most honored of professions."
Personnel: Dan Hall, lead vocals; Mately Crew Male Chorus, Richard Bushey conductor; Stan Ring, Roger Savage, Michael Sikora, Rich Hooper, Keith McCormick, Luke Tomycz, Adam Withers, Jeff Brownlee, Neil Woodward, Bob Brownlee, Rick Bushey, Phil Doolittle, Jay McCarthy, Brent Rogers, Gary McInnis, vocals; Kenny Mead, engineer; Dan Hall and Kenny Mead, producers.
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