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The Nine Hour Pioneers, a poem by Alexander Wingfield

A cropped version of the cover of the Canadian Illustrated News from June 8 1872 depicts the parade of workers on May 15th 1872. There are dozens of spectators watching from the sidewalks as the parade of workers carry large banners and flags through the centre of the street.

Wingfield, Alexander H., “The Nine Hour Pioneers.” The Ontario Workman, 1872.

This recording was sound engineered by Radiodress Productions and read by Brian Kelly.  Copyright, all rights reserved 2016.

The Nine Hour Pioneers

Honour the men of Hamilton
The Nine Hour Pioneers –
Their memory will be kept green
Throughout the coming years,
And every honest son of toil
That lives in freedom’s light,
Shall bless the glorious day in May,
When Might gave way to right.

Your cause was just, your motives pure,
Again and yet again,
You strove to smooth the path of toil
And help your fellow men;
And Canada will bless your name
Through all the coming years,
And place upon the scroll of fame,
The Nine Hour Pioneers