Kampervan:
"Jim, maybe that's because the English have been more rebelled against than they've been rebellious?"
I know you are right about this, but there have been numerous incidents in English history that I believe should have produced songs, for instance, the Nore and Spithead Mutinies. The use of famine refugees as scab labour in the mines and mills was met with strong reaction.
Rebellion was in the air after Trafalgar; at Nelson's funeral, his coffin was spat at by members of his crew. The enclosures produced poaching and transportation songs, but I don't think these can be described as acts of rebellion.
Many of the incidents of history were reported in song, but I really can't think of any which call for opposition like, for instance, the Jacobite repertoire or the numerous Irish uprisings.
Perhaps we let the bastards off too lightly!!
Sorry - just thinking our loud really.
Jim Carroll