who knows some anarchist folk songs?

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 06:35 PM

Of course there are as many definitions of anarchism as there are anarchists, but it seems that the bomb throwing stereotype has great currency even here on Mudcat. I think I might speak for many anarchists when I say that anarchism is predicated on the lack of coercive relationships, not so much the lack of rules. That definition would place the bomb-throwers in another category. And in fact, they are not believers in anarchism but in anarchy--there is a real difference there. They are not anarchists so much as nihilists. But I split hairs and drift threads. Sorry.

There are many quiet, peaceful sorts of anarchists--anarcho-pacifists, anarcho-communalists. I'm not as in touch with that part of the world as I once was, but Kropotkin comes to mind and perhaps Murray Bookchin would fall into that category.

A great anarchist song, according to my definition, is John Ball. It has the great anarchist line "...when we are ruled by the love of one another." Unfortunately, it has been pulled from the DT.

David

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 11:57 PM

Of course there is an anarchist party, next friday night, or maybe wednesday, bring your own booze (naturally) show up or not, there might be someone there and NO I won't tell you where it is, I'm no damned informer!

CB

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: Cllr
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 09:29 PM

Robb regularly sings at the anarchists book fair (or used to) Oh yes and he is playing at ampthill acoustic club on the 27th of January. Robb used to describe himself as an unreconstructed socialist but paul the drummer in the band rob used to front was the only anarcho-syndicalist I ever met. Depends really what you mean by anarchy really. Cllr

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 08:58 PM

Breezy - you beat me to it, because I was checking out Robb's website. 21st Century Blues?

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: breezy
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 08:44 PM

does Robb Johnson sit here?
West London singer-songwriter
go via 'Unlabelled'

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: akenaton
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 08:21 PM

Chairman Mao,s dictum ,during the cultural revolution,to have a state of continual revolution ,could perhaps be described as Anarchy..
This tactic was supposed to stop power resting in the hands of a few people and so becomming corrupted...Ake

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 04:50 PM

Presumably, since anarchy predicates the absolute absence of rules (funny, is that a rule?) anarchist songs neither scan, nor rhyme, nor have melodies.

I always found it rather funny (and I was no the first) that there could be an anarchist party, on this basis.

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: joe hill
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 03:55 PM

Adrian May has written humorous songs with anarchy in them.
they mention ukaleles as well.
for example
'Annual general meeting of the ukalele liberation front'
and 'Anarchy in the ukelele'
They are great songs and very funny.
They are on the LP 'Anarch in the ukelele'
I think he still does the odd booking around London and Essex

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 10:46 PM

"When I was a student at Oxford
We made lots of Anarchist bombs
And blew up the buildings of Parliament
With decorum and lots of aplomb

Cho.

Sonya, Sonya the guests are at the door
Sonya, Sonya, the guests are at the door
Sonya, Sonya, the guest are at the door
The prussic acids in the wine.

Mother was a Muscovite masochist
Nailed by father each night to the door
We'd take her down for breakfast each morning
As on arm of leg we would gnaw

Cho. "

There is more but, fortunately, memory fails. I think that this might have been in "The Bosses Song Book, Songs to Stiffle the Flames of Discontent". I had a copy and loaned it to someone who never brought it back - they also didn't bring back my "Little Red Songbook" and a lovely Tudor press book on Hieronymus Bosch.

YOU know who you are!!!!

Sorry

CB

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: greg stephens
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 05:29 PM

If Leon Rosselson is an anarchist I am Kylie Minogue.

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 05:20 PM

How about Leon Rosselson's WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN (DIGGERS) -- it's in the DT (0.7742). depending on how you're defining "anarchy", it might or might not be the kind of thing you have in mind -- but have a look & see what you think.

cheers,

YY

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: Mark Clark
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 05:08 PM

Well, the Wobblies (Industrial Workers of the World or IWW) were orginally anarcho-syndicalists advocating violence as a means of gaining control of the means of production. Perhaps Wobbly songs are also anarchy songs.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 05:01 PM

Oh Charlie, haven't heard that for years...

I thought most 1960's folk song were anarchistic - or about peace and Love - which the Right seems to think are the same.... only when everybody is marching up and down in step in neat rows can there be Peace....

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 03:43 PM

There's always the comical anarchist bomb song that we used to sing when we were young and innocent. It should be in the DT and the first verse and chorus runs:

All in the anarchist's attic,
So lowly and so mean,
All amidst the fumes of nitroglycerene;
They're stuffing cans with powder,
And they're craming cans with nails,
And when they're done they raise their voice
In this mournful wail-l-l:

It's brother Petros' turn to throw the bomb, bomb, bomb;
Mother's aim is bad and the Cossacks all know Dad,
So it's brother Petros' turn to throw the bomb, bomb, bomb!

Give Tony our best!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: greg stephens
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 12:52 PM

Have a browse among Spanish Civil war songs, and you will find some anarchist ones(if you dont mind singing in Spaanish). Though I expect there English language ones as well, a lot of British, Irish and Americans fought in the anarchist battalions.

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 12:31 PM

A Google on "anarchist songs" will turn up enough sites to keep you busy for a while!

Regards

Subject: RE: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 12:27 PM

Doesn't it depend on how you want to define 'anarchist'? I know at least 2 definitions.

Subject: who knows some anarchist folk songs?
From: GUEST,andy
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 10:17 AM

i'm looking for folk songs about anarchy or by anarchist singers. if anyone knows of any, and could lead me to lyrics or tunes on this forum, links to other webpages, e-mail ([e-mail]) or otherwise, i would really appreciate it! I'm making a presentation for a class with Tony Barrand. thanks and everyone have a great day!