Solidarity Forever (The Union Makes Us Strong)

Solidarity Forever (The Union Makes Us Strong) was released in 1988 on the independent Pharaoh Records label. This recording features the legendary folk musician, labor organizer, and storyteller Utah Phillips, who spent much of his life championing the American labor movement and the Industrial Workers of the World. The record serves as both a musical artifact and a political vehicle, intended to preserve the heritage of labor songs that Phillips felt were essential for maintaining the momentum of collective bargaining and social activism.

The album reflects Phillips' distinct approach to folk music, where he sought to elevate the voices of the marginalized and provide a historical context for the songs he performed. Rather than polished studio production, the record emphasizes the raw, didactic, and communal spirit of the labor anthems he selected. It was received as a significant contribution to the folk revival's political wing, documenting Phillips' role as a keeper of the radical folk tradition and an advocate for the dignity of the working class during a period of significant economic transition in the United States.