"Union Prayer" lyrics - BILLY BRAGG & WILCO

I hear that prayer and praying
Will change this world around
I fold my hands I bow my head
I kneel down on the ground

I prayed and prayed by night and day
And then I prayed some more
I prayed till my tongue was dry as dust
And I prayed till my knees had sores

Will prayer change shacks to decent homes?
Will prayer change sickness into health?
Will prayer change hate to works of love?
Will prayer get me my right to vote?

Will prayer give jobs at honest pay?
Will prayer bring stomach full of food?
Will prayer make rich treat poor folks right?
Will prayer take out the Ku Klux Klan?

Will prayer cut down the hoodlum bands?
Will prayer stop in the lynchbug hands?
If all of these things my prayers can do
I'll pray till I am black and blue

I'll pray till I am black and blue
I'll pray till I am black and blue
I'll pray till I am black and blue
I'll pray till I am black and blue

If prayer will bring us union love
I'll pray and pray and pray some more
I'll pray all day from door to door
And fall at night to pray some more

My prayer with a union label
My prayer with a union label
My prayer with a union label
My prayer with a union label