I'm gonna write you a letter, babe o' mine,
   I'm a-gonna write you a letter, babe o' mine.
   I'm a-gonna write you a letter just as quick as times get better,
   But I've gotta get organized, babe o' mine!
   I'm goin' 'round this world, babe o' mine,
   I'm a-goin' around this world, babe o' mine,
   I'm a-goin' 'round it once and I'm goin' 'round it twice,
   And I'm a-gonna get organized, babe o' mine!
   I'm a-goin' to California, babe o' mine,
   I'm a-goin' to California, babe o' mine,
   I'm a-goin' to Californy, it's a rough and a teejus journey,
   And I gotta keep organizin', babe o' mine.
   I'm a-gonna leave old North Caroliner, babe o' mine,
   I'm a-gonna leave old North Caroliner, babe o' mine,
   I'm a-gonna leave old North Caroliner and I'm gonna catch me a boat to Chiner,
   And I gotta keep organizin', babe o' mine.
   See the sailors' kids and wives, babe o' mine,
   See the sailors' kids and wives, babe o' mine,
   See the sailors' kids and wives, I'm compelled to save their lives,
   So I gotta keep organizin', babe o' mine.
   Well, we've got to win this race, babe o' mine,
   We've got to win this race, babe o' mine,
   Yes, we've got to win this race, put the bosses in their place,
   And we gotta get organized, babe o' mine.
   It's that good old C. I. O., babe o' mine,
   It's that good old C. I. O., babe o' mine,
   It's that good old C. I. O., 'cause it's everywhere you go,
   So we'll just keep organizin', babe o' mine.
   Organize, organize, babe o' mine,
   Organize, organize, babe o' mine.
   Well, the boss'll be surprised when he finds us organized,
   So we'll just keep organizin', babe o' mine.