Mourners from the Ladies Waist and Dressmakers Union Local 25 and the United Hebrew Trades of New York march in the streets after the Triangle fire. Photo from Kheel Center
Factory in New York City was underway
March 25, 1911 was the day
When the fire at Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City was underway
600 workers were sewing clothes at the factory floor
Trying to save their life escaping through window and door
Locked was the exit door with iron key
Unsatisfied with the management were employee
Surrounded by four stone pillars
The building had no fire sprinklers
As the fire started in a rag bin
Employees had nowhere to step in
Struggling to breathe fresh air
Some people jumped through window in midair
Only to land dead at concrete in despair
Others tried to break the door
Looking to get out of fire smoke
As the fire ran through the ninth and tenth floor
Some people collapsed next to the closed door
146 workers in total died of fatal burn
While their loved ones painfully yearn
For 11 minutes was all it needed
To fight the fire and get expired
Youngest victim was 14 years while the oldest was 43 years
Both victims left the world with eyes full of tears