Rich Man’s House

by Anne Feeney & The Kensington Welfare Rights Union
with new verses by Resistance Revival Chorus

This traditional labor movement song was born out of the work of the Kensington Welfare Rights Union, a women-led effort to defray the oppression of the poor community in Philadelphia, PA, in the 1990’s. This organization still exists, but is now called the Poor People’s Army. You can find out more about the history of KWRU here.

Anne Feeney (1951-2021) was an American folk musician, singer-songwriter, political activist and attorney. She spent her life fighting for justice and used music to bring people together for this cause.

The version of this song that we are singing uses the new verses added by The Resistance Revival Chorus. This is the song that inspired and birthed this amazing protest choir, based in NYC. You can hear more about their story, and see a performance of this song at their TedX here.

Listen to the recording this arrangement is inspired by, here.

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LYRICS:

(Well I…)

…Went down to the rich man's house
And I, took back what he (they) stole from me
(Took it back…) …Took back my dignity
(Took it back…) …Took back my humanity (repeat)

(Now he's…) …Under my feet (x4)
Ain't gonna let the system walk all over me!

(Additional verses - RRC version:)

…Went down to the NRA / jailhouse / border / Whitehouse

(last time repeat)
Now he's…
…under my feet (x4)
Ain't gonna let the system walk all over me!

Chords: Am - - - / Dm - Am - :// Am - - - / - Dm Am -

Additional verses - original version:
landlord's house (he) / welfare office (they) / governor’s house (he)