Song Lyrics

There's change coming once and for all
You makes the front page and man, you is major news
[Jack and Crutchie]
Tomorrow they'll see what we are
[Jack, Crutchie and Katherine]
And sure as a star, we ain't come this far... to lose
[Crutchie]
Here they come!!
[Ensemble]
This is the story we needed to write as we're kept out of sight, well no more
In a few hours by dawns early light we'll be ready to fight us a war
This time we're in it to stay, talk about seizing the day
Write it in ink or in blood, it's the same either way.
They're gonna damn well pay!
See old man Pulitzer snug in his bed, he don't care if we're dead or alive
Three satin pillows are under his head, while we's begging for bread to survive
Joe, you can stop counting sheep, we're gonna sing ya to sleep
You've got your thugs with their stick and their slugs, Yeah!
But we got a promise to keep!
Once and for all if they don't find their manners, we'll bleed 'em! (Bleed 'em!)
Once and for all we won't carry no banners that don't spell freedom!
Finally we's raising the stakes, this time whatever it takes!
This time the union awakes, once and for all!
[Newsie]
Come on, boys!
[Ensemble]
Yeah!!
This is for kids shining shoes on the street with no shoes on their feet everyday
This is for guys sweating blood in the shops while their bosses and cops look away
I'm seeing kids standing tall, glaring and raring a brawl
All of these guys who are sick of the lies getting ready to rise to the call!
Once and for all they'll be blood on the wall if they doubt us
They think they're running this town, but this town will shut down without us
Ten thousand kids in the square, ten thousand fists in the air!
Joe, you is gonna play fair, once and for all!
Once and for all!!
Once and for all!!
Once and for all!!
There change coming once and for all
You're getting too old, too weak to keep holding on
A new world is coming for you, and Joe, we is too!
Til once and for all you're gone!
[Jack]
Once and for all!
[Crutchie]
Once and for all!!
[Ensemble]
Once and for all!
(Once and for all!!)

Jack Feldman, Alan Irwin Menken

The duration of Once and For All is 4:01 minutes and seconds.