About a week ago I was accused of being a long-haired, hippie, yuppie Bolshevik. The yuppie bit really hurt!

This is a song from Peace Songs, Ed. John Jordan. I've sent the MIDI to MMario.


YOU AIN'T BEEN DOIN' NOTHIN' IF YOU AIN'T BEEN CALLED A RED
Music, traditional; lyrics by Eliot Keenan (USA).

1. Oh, when I was just a little thing, I used to love parades,
With banners, bands and red balloons and maybe lemonade.
When I came home on May Day, my neighbour’s father said,
"Them marchers are all Commies. Tell me, kid, are you a Red?”

CHORUS 1: Oh, you ain't done nothin' if you ain't been called a Red.
If you march or agitate, you're bound to hear it said;
So you might as well ignore it, or love the words instead,
'Cause you ain't been doin' nothin' if you ain't been called a Red.

2. Well, I didn't know just what he meant. my hair back then was brown.
Our house was plain red brick like most others in the town.
So I went and asked my parents why my playmates called me Red.
My mama took me on her knee and this is what she said:

CHORUS 2: Oh, you ain't done nothin' if you ain't been called a Red.
If you march or agitate, you're bound to hear it said;
So you might as well ignore it, or love the words instead,
'Cause you ain't been doin' nothin' if you ain't been called a Red.

3. As I was growing up, I had my troubles, I suppose,
When someone took exception to my face or to my clothes,
Or tried to cheat me on the job, or hit me on the head;
When I organised a fight back, why, the stinkers called me Red!

CHORUS 3: Oh, you ain't done nothin' if you ain't been called a Red.
If you organise your workplace, then you're bound to hear it said;
So you might as well ignore it, or love the words instead,
'Cause you ain't been doin' nothin' if you ain't been called a Red.

4. When I was living on my own, one apartment that I had
Had a classic rotten landlord. let me tell you, he was BAD.
But when he tried to throw me out, I rubbed my hands and said,
“You haven't seen a struggle if you haven't fought a Red.”

CHORUS 4: Oh, you ain't done nothin' if you ain't been called a Red.
If you organise your neighbours, then you're bound to hear it said;
So you might as well ignore it, or love the words instead,
'Cause you ain't been doin' nothin' if you ain't been called a Red.

5. Well, I kept on agitating, 'cause what else can you do?
Are you gonna let the sons-of-bitches walk all over you?
My neighbour said, “You'll get fired hanging with that Commie mob!”
I should be so lucky, buddy, I ain't got a job!

CHORUS 5: Oh, you ain't done nothin' if you ain't been called a Red.
If you organise your workplace, then you're bound to hear it said;
So you might as well ignore it, or love the words instead,
'Cause you ain't been doin' nothin' if you ain't been called a Red.

6. Well, I been agitating now for forty years and more,
For jobs and for equality and always against war,
And I'll keep on agitating as far as I can see,
And if that's what being Red is, well it's good enough for me!

CHORUS 6: Oh, you ain't done nothin' if you ain't been called a Red,
If you march or agitate, you're bound to hear it said;
So you might as well ignore it, or love the words instead,
'Cause you ain't been doin' nothin' if you ain't been called a Red.


Originally published in N. C.S.