Have you been to work at Idris?
No, we won’t go in to-day—
For we’re standing by a comrade,
And we’ll never run away;
She stood bravely by the Union,
And she spoke up for us true,
And if she gets the sack, no we never shall go back,
Whate’er they do, whate’er they do.

Now you girls who do the labelling,
And you girls—in ginger beer—
When you see us stick together,
Don’t you feel a little queer,
Don’t you think it would be braver
To join nobly in the fray,
So that we all may stand, right firmly hand in hand
For our rights and for our pay?

Now, you boys who’re washing bottles,
It really is a shame,
To take the place of women,
Don’t you think you are to blame?
Come with us and join the Union,
Never heed what Idris say,
We are out to right the wrong, and now we shan’t be long,
Hip hurrah! Hip hurrah!

Master Willie! Master Willie!
You must give in once again,
It was wrong to sack a woman
With two children to maintain;
Thirteen years she’s faithful served you,
Though she was three minutes late;
But our little Sister Anne, why she never cheeked the Man
At the gate. At the gate.

Oh you great King in the Palace,
And you statesmen at the top;
When you’re drinking soda water,
Or imbibing ginger pop;
Think of some who work at Idris,
For very little pay;
And who only get 9 bob for a most unpleasant job,
A lack a day! A lack a day!

Now then girls all join the Union,
Whatever you may be;
In pickles, jams, or chocolate,
Or packing pounds of tea;
For we all want better wages,
And this is what we say—
We’re out to right the wrong, and now we shan’t be long,
Hip Hurrah! Hip Hurrah!