Coos Bay, Oregon

COOS COUNTY BLUES
Harry Stamper
Sung by Harry Stamper


Harry Stamper is a retired longshoreman,
union activist, and songwriter from Coos Bay, Oregon.

Oh Coos County............sing the blues
Headlines screaming....... about the jobs we lose
When corporations close the mills
Because they won’t afford our pay
And our children are moving away

Now up-state thinks.....we’re a bunch of fools
Wal-Mart expanding............while we close our schools
You didn’t understand
You thought there was lots of time
Now your children are being left behind

Tell us if you please..........where did the money go?
Tell us if you can......what do you have to show
Part-time jobs with a corporate soul
And millions down the old rat-hole.

How many times....... has Coos County seen
A man with a briefcase........turn his pockets green?
To study all the things we already know
Before he vanishes down the road

All day long......... we hear the Port Commission sing
We must move forward....development’s the thing
But we don’t elect them and we have no say
We have no reason to trust then anyway.

Oh Coos County.....our beauty shines
Why must we destroy........something that works just fine
We’ve seen other places where development’s gone wrong
And we know destruction won’t take very long

So Mr. Commissioner....the answer’s clear
Stop wringing your hands.......and dry up that tear
And give us back the millions of dollars spent
On Economic Development

So Coos County....we sing for you
As you wonder....what you can do
You are like The New Carissa because you have come to stay
So take it back because it’s yours anyway

Pacific Nothwest Folklore Society