Florence Reece

Florence Reese (April 12, 1900 – August 3, 1986) was an American social activist, poet, and folksong writer. Born in Sharps Chapel, Tennessee the daughter and wife of coal miners, she is best known for the song, "Which Side Are You On?" written in 1931 during a strike by the United Mine Workers of America in which her husband, Sam Reece, was an organizer.

Pete Seeger, collecting labor union songs, learned "Which Side Are You On" in 1940. The following year, it was recorded by the Almanac Singers in a version that gained a wide audience. More recently, Billy Bragg, Dropkick Murphys, and Natalie Merchant each recorded their own interpretations of the song.

Florence Reese appeared in the Academy Award-winning documentary film, "Harlan County, USA," singing her anthem to rally the striking miners.

Florence and Sam Reese were married for 64 years, until his death from pneumoconiosis (black lung) in 1978. After a lifetime of speaking out on behalf of unions and social welfare issues, Florence Reese died of a heart attack in 1986 at the age of 86 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Discography

*"Coal Mining Women" (no date indicated), Rounder Records CD

References

* [http://athena.english.vt.edu/~appalach/writersM/protestsongs.html Biography of Florence Reece] on the Appalachian Protest Songwriters Web pageInterview with Florence Reese in Kathy Kahn, Hillybilly Women: Mountain women speak of the struggle and joy in Southern Appalachia. Garden City NY: Doubleday, 1973.

External links

* [http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/song-midis/Which_Side_Are_You_on.htm "Which Side Are You On" lyrics, link to MIDI music]