If you want something with an historical bend I'd try the work songs and shanties, especially if you have any strong voices in your group.

One song I've done very successfully with small groups is in the DB as "Hanging on the Old Barbed Wire". It starts out as a lampoon of army life, and it can be pretty naughty but it ends with a powerful image of a soldier, from WWI historically, hanging on barbed wire.

Done right it sort of sneaks up on you but with things in Afghanistan and India\Pakistan it may have some relevance with your audience\performers.

Bo