“The Preacher and the Slave”

Description

The preacher comes and tells the hungry, downtrodden workers, "You will eat, by and bye, In that glorious land above the sky. Work and pray; live on hay. You'll get pie in the sky when you die." The song calls on workers to overthrow the system

Notes

For the life of Joe Hill, see "Joe Hill." - RBW

Cross references

• cf. "Sweet By and By" (tune)

Recordings

• Arkansas Charlie (Charlie Craver), "You'll Get Pie In The Sky When You Die" (Brunswick 392, c. 1929)
• Bud Billings [pseud. for Frank Luther] & Carson Robison: "You'll Get Pie in the Sky When You Die" (Victor V-40221, 1930)
• Harry "Mac" McClintock, "Long Haired Preachers (Preacher and the Slave)" (on McClintock01) (on McClintock02)
• Pete Seeger, "Pie in the Sky" (on PeteSeeger05)

References

1. Sandburg, p. 221, "The Preacher and the Slave" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Lomax-FSNA 222, "Pie in the Sky" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Botkin-AmFolklr, pp. 856-857, "Pie in the Sky" (1 text, 1 tune)
4. Arnett, p. 146-147, "Pie in the Sky" (1 text, 1 tune)
5. Greenway-AFP, p. 185, "The Preacher and the Slave" (1 text)
6. Darling-NAS, pp. 375-376, "The Preacher and the Slave" (1 text)
7. Silber-FSWB, p. 306, "The Preacher and the Slave" (1 text)
8. DT, PRCHRSLV*
9. Roud #9612
10. BI, San221