Ode to Black Friday

God rest ye merry Walmart Shoppers

Let nothing you dismay

Remember Sales our Saviour

Was born on Black Friday

To save us all from inflation’s power

When we were gone astray

O tidings of TVs and Toys,

Consumption and Toys

O tidings of Consumption and Toys

In Nassau, in New York State,

Thus tragedy was born

We trampled thru the door

And stomped to death a worker

Upon this blessed morn

From Capitalism our Earthly Father

The corporate media came

And promoted this Black Friday

Brought tidings of the same:

So in Hyped Greed was born

A worker’s death in Shame

Now to the Corporations sing praises

All you within this mall’s space

And with true avarice

The commodity embrace

This holy tide of Shopping

Has even death defaced

O tidings of TVs and Toys,

Consumption and Toys

O tidings of Consumption and Toys


Jon Flanders is a member and former president of IAM LL 1145 and a member of the Troy Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO.