To raise awareness of its work with servicemen and women overseas, the C.I.O.’s National War Relief Committee sponsored “Songs of Citizen C.I.O.”  featuring folksingers Tom Glazer and Josh White. The album was recorded in June 1944 and released on Asch Records.

Glazer and White harmonize on “Citizen C.I.O.” joined by former Almanac Singer Bess Lomax Hawes on mandolin and vocals. “Well, tell me your name, brother, tell me your name,” they sang. “I’ll tell you my name, yes, I’ll tell you my name. It’s very plain, my name is Citizen C.I.0.”

Note the juxtaposition of African American and white workers, men and women, soldiers and workers, reflecting the membership and idealism behind the early CIO.

This image accompanies the audio recording of “Overtime Pay” one of twenty songs you can listen to in the exhibit Labor Sings! Songs from the 1930s and 1940s, featuring highlights from the extraordinary compact disc collection by Ron Cohen and Dave Samualson, Songs for Political Action.

See also this biography about Bess Lomax Hawes’ life and contributions. 

Visit our Clara Lemlich honorees page on Jackie Steiner, who co-wrote the famous song “M.T.A.” with Bess Lomax.