Julie Matthews has written a marvellous song about The British Empire. It gave the title to of one of Fairport Conventions recent records, called The Jewel In The Crown. Whilst introducing the song, she mentioned that when playing it in Hong Kong (I think) she was approached by a serving member of Her Majesties Armed Forces who told her that he did not agree at all with the sentiments addressed in the song.

It did not stop her from performing it though, which surely is the way to treat this issue.

I would suggest that the best way to deal with it is, if you hear a song expressing views that you do not agree with, then find or write or perform one that does. As this place has demonstrated many times, there is pretty much a song for every conceivable occasion and one for just about every view.

Wherever you are in the world, it must be better to fight with songs/words than with our cruder inventions and methods?

To change the subject a little, this thread specifically mentions songs...........Does this mean that the problem is only due to the words, or are there places where a tune can be just as contentious?

I am thinking of Ireland, in particular..... I have and do play tunes in sessions with people from the North and South of Ireland, with people from Japan and from just about every part of the world. It is probably due to my immense ignorance and insensitivity (and great love of the music), but I have yet to notice any great North, South divide in instrumental music? Does this exist and to what degree?