Story Behind the Song
This song is for the members of the United Paperworkers, locked out at A. E. Staley Co in 1993-95. Staley is a corn processer and uses dangerous chemicals in the job. These include (PO (propylene oxide) and BSS (bisodium sulfite) referenced in the song. Jim Beals was a union worker suffocated in 1993 when PO leaked into a tank. A scab was also killed in a fire during the lockout. Staley is owned by Tate & Lyle.
Lyrics
1.
Deadly corn, we've got a war zone here today
Right in our heartland, but our union's here to stay.
These multinational bastards don't use tanks and guns it's true.
But they've declared a war on us -- fight back it's up to you.
Chorus:
And there's a war on the workers.
There's a war on the workers.
There's a war on the workers,
And it's time we started calling the shots.
2.
Deadly corn could be the death of you and me
But we're not unarmed -- our weapon's solidarity.
Each work day's been a battle in the toxics and the smell
It was bad enough with Staley but with Tate & Lyle it's hell.
Chorus.
3.
Deadly corn, workplace safety's just a joke.
There's the dust, BSS, asbestos, fire, and smoke.
Jim Beals was murdered outright, poisoned by PO,
But Tate & Lyle's philosophy is die quickly or die slow.
Chorus.
Bridge:
They can lock us out, they can lock us up,
We will not give in.
No more lies, no compromise,
We'll battle till we win.
Chorus and fade.
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