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OrbisViator

Arts, Ideas, and Travel

Retrospective

Which Side Are You On?be a

Byorbisviator

July 30, 2026
Evidence displayed to Senate Committee. Washington, D.C., April 27. A bloody bullet-torn undershirt was displayed to the Senate Civil Liberties Committee today by Thomas Ferguson, coal miner union Representative, to suport his story of having been shot last January by Harland County deputy sheriffs. He admitted that he could not identify the group of deputies who fired the shots, one of which was soft-nosed bullet that entered his shoulder and came out in the back. The Committee is investigating labor practices in "Bloody" Harlan County, Ky., coal regions, 4/27/1937. 1937 April 27. Photographed by Harris & Ewing. https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2016871622 Via the United States Library of Congress.Evidence displayed to Senate Committee. Washington, D.C., April 27. A bloody bullet-torn undershirt was displayed to the Senate Civil Liberties Committee today by Thomas Ferguson, coal miner union Representative, to suport his story of having been shot last January by Harland County deputy sheriffs. He admitted that he could not identify the group of deputies who fired the shots, one of which was soft-nosed bullet that entered his shoulder and came out in the back. The Committee is investigating labor practices in "Bloody" Harlan County, Ky., coal regions, 4/27/1937. 1937 April 27. Photographed by Harris & Ewing. https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2016871622 Via the United States Library of Congress.

Following are some materials intended to provide background on the famous protest song, “Which Side Are You On?” that was written by Florence Reece after a violent encounter with the authorities.

This content is for your education and is protected by Copyright law. Fair Use as educational material only. Unauthorized reproduction or retransmission is prohibited.

Studying Labor History and Organized Labor requires significant scholarship and one should treat the subject that way. The history is nuanced and fascinating.

https://www.facingsouth.org/2003/03/which-side-are-you-biography-protest-song
For educational use only. Via https://www.facingsouth.org/2003/03/which-side-are-you-biography-protest-song

The Academy Award-winning documentary film “Harlan County U.S.A.” (1976) included a clip of Florence Reece singing her song during a 1973 strike.

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Florence Reece sings Which Side Are You On? in this excerpt from an audio interview.

Florence Reece (1900-1986) sings in her Harlan County home to a group of high school students from Paideia school in Atlanta. The group is led by John Sundale. Florence’s husband, Sam, a retired miner, is also present. Sam was an organizer for United Mine Workers of America and died of black lung later in 1978. Florence wrote this song. This is an excerpt of the audio available from the Warren Wilson College archive. Excerpt obtained from: https://dla.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/Warren/id/2189/rec/2

Which Side Are You On? music sheet. Via Wikimedia Commons.
Which Side Are You On? music sheet. Via Wikimedia Commons.
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The song, “Which Side Are You On?” has had several different versions over the years and has been performed by various people. This rendition is by Rebel Diaz. See: https://rebeldiaz.bandcamp.com/album/radical-dilemma

Byorbisviator