Singing for revolution

Submitted by Anon on 28 June, 2007 - 12:13

Amy Fisher reviews the centre for political song website, www.caledonian.ac.uk/politicalsong/song

The Centre for Political Song, a website hosted by Glasgow Caledonian University, makes reasonably interesting reading — none of the traditional political songs are here, like the Red Flag or the Internationale, but instead lots of lyrics written to familiar tunes, by activists.

In the current climate, around the anti-war, anti-Bush movement, the site can be forgiven for primarily hosting lyrics attacking Bush, Cheney and Rice in the most simplistic of terms (“Bush Whacked”, “Bush It!” and so on). In amongst the songs written by individuals and even some activist groups (Victoria Raging Grannies for example), there are a few gems, and some familiar names — Billy Bragg, David Rovics and Attila the Stockbroker have the odd song.

There’s even an appearance by the UCU’s Sue Blackwell, penning a song called (I kid you not) “Boycott Israel”. With lyrics like “Tell all your neighbours, please don't be shy/Read all the labels before you buy/If it says Israel, don't hesitate/Don't put apartheid upon your plate!”, it’s not exactly Grammy award material.

If you’ve got time to sort through the not-so-good, and the downright stupid (sorry, Sue), there are some genuinely funny, cutting songs. David Brown’s alternative Red Flag struck me as having some potential for learning and repeating;

This red flag lark, I deeply dread,

Open your mouth, Tone, nod your head.

Just grin at all the lefty herds

Make out you know the bloody words.

Then wipe your eyes, pretend to cry,

Don’t let them see it’s all a lie.

Through gritted teeth try not to sneer,

The farce is over til next year!

(As sung by Tony Blair)

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