BANKS OF MARBLE

This song was written by Les Rice, who was a farmer in the northeast. It was recorded in

1949 by the Weavers and issued on there “In Concert” album several years later. The

fundamental struggle is the same, but the details need to be updated. A recent version has

been recorded by Leo Kottke on his 12 string guitar along with Latino band “Los Lobos”

backing him up.

I’ve traveled round this country

From shore to shining shore

It really made me wonder

Chorus:

But the banks are made of marble

With a guard at every door

And the vaults are stuffed with silver

That the farmer sweated for

l saw the seaman standing

Idly by the shore

l heard the bosses saying

Got no work for you no more

But the banks are made of marble

Got no coal to heat the shack

But the banks are made of marble

With a guard at every door

And the vaults are stuffed with silver

That the miner sweated for

I’ve seen my brothers working

Throughout this mighty land

l prayed we’d get together

And together make a stand

Final Chorus

Then we’d own those banks of marble

With a guard at every door

And we’d share those vaults of silver

That we have sweated for