The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #128093   Message #3136901
Posted By: mikesamwild
17-Apr-11 - 01:12 PM
Thread Name: Songs in English about the Spanish Civil War
Subject: RE: Songs in English about the Spanish Civil War
AT THE SIEGE OF MADRID
By Robb Johnson
There is a good youtube of Robb Johnson singing The Siege of madrid , one of his.
At The Siege Of Madrid ROBB JOHNSON

I've just been sent a copy by Allen Warren in Barcelona, of a facsimile page in a book of Harry Pollitt in Spain where he mentions a Christmas party in 1937 where they sang songs such as One finger one thumb keep moving and Frankie and Johhny so it wasn't all The International!

I've sent it to Richard Thorpe of the IB Memorial Trust who is coordinating a songbook. He is in La Columna a reenactment socety in UK.

I think a more comprehensive book like the Poetry book published by IBMT would be good Geoff.

I was out at Jarama in March for the memorial march near Madrid and visted the battle site where my uncle Bert Maskey was killed and my dad Sam was wounded on the first day (Feb 1937).

At the meal in Morata there were songs from the various natinalities represented and I sang Our Open Eyes.



Martin Simpson told me he is recording Jamie Foyers with Dick Gaughan.


At a dedication at the memorial to Charlie Donnelly I realised the line 'Even the olives were bleeding' from his poem found its way into Christy's Viva la Quince Brigada.


The IBMT have asked for a proposal for the CD so any ideas welcome .

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