Movement for the Abolition of War

SONGS WITH ‘AN ATTITUDE’ ABOUT WAR AND INJUSTICE

A list of recommended songs with discography compiled by Tony Kempster and Sue Gilmurray for use in education and campaigning

INTRODUCTION

Songs expressing a message about peace and justice have always played a part in protest and campaigning, being performed at demonstrations and witnesses. Many have entered the popular music genre particularly when written or performed by well-known artists, and some have become standards.

Since such songs often challenge the way civil societies are run and the conduct of international relations - often putting forward more just and humane alternatives - they can be valuable tools in education, particularly in Citizenship. The best songs spring from deeply held convictions and express viewpoints vividly. They can be inspiring or provocative; a spur to the search for information; an encouragement for people to grapple with social and political questions; and also fun to listen to and perform.

The list has been compiled primarily as an aid to teachers and educationalists involved with Key Stages 3 and 4 of the National Curriculum, but we hope it will also be of interest to anyone wishing to find out more about songs for peace and justice. Some songs relevant to younger children have been included and also a few exceptional songs covering wider social issues.

If users of this list would like more assistance in finding songs or advice about their use, they are most welcome to contact either of us. It may also be possible to organise visits to schools or arrange for singers to perform at demonstrations and conferences. We also run workshops at occasional conferences for teachers organised by the Peace Education Network (see the Movement for the Abolition of War website for dates).

Tony Kempster: 01908 510642 ajkempster@aol.com

Sue Gilmurray: 01353 668495 s.m.gilmurray@apu.ac.uk

STRUCTURE OF THE LIST

The list is essentially an annotated discography organised in alphabetical order by the title of the song. This gives the names of the singer-songwriter (as appropriate), a brief outline of the content of the song and the album on which it is performed.

Songbooks which include the words and music and/or guitar chords for some of the songs are also listed.

But first as an aid to the user, some recommended songs relating to particular issues are listed. (These songs are also included in the discography where other details are given.) The issues are as follows.

A. The nature of violence.

B. War and its causes.

C. The impact of war on ordinary people’s lives.

D. About the soldiers.

E. About the conscientious objectors and anti-war activists.

F. Militarism and the international arms trade.

G. Terrorism.

H. Alternatives to war and military conflict.

I. Reconciliation after conflict

J. Songs to ‘fire the heart’ and encourage peacemaking.

THE ISSUES

A. THE NATURE OF VIOLENCE. Where does it come from? Is it intrinsic to human nature? How does it affect us emotionally?

The following songs illustrate the answers. ** Highly recommended; * Recommended.

Fragile by Sting *

A valuable song which refers to our vulnerability in the face of violence. It can be used effectively to stimulate discussion on the personal impact of conflct and terrorism.

Monsters by Leon Rosselson *

A song about the psychology of President George W. Bush and those who use force to solve disputes.

Out of the clear blue sky by John Lester **

This song begins by referring to personal anger (saying that ‘I didn’t know that I sowed the seeds of my anger’ and that ‘there was always a battle for my ways’). It goes on to relate this to the anger that can lead to acts of international terrorism like the attack on the Twin Towers in New York by Al Qaeda. An excellent stimulus to discussions about international terrorism.

Still in the night by Jim Boyes *

A hard-hitting look at violence of different types, from the fire step in the trenches of the First World War to the Kop in the football stadium (‘eyeing up the opposition’) to the bar room brawl ‘are you looking at me?’.

The good in me is dead by Martyn Joseph **

An uncompromising and challenging message about a young refugee waiting at a border and looking for his family after ethnic cleansing in the former Yugoslavia. He knows that his brother has been killed and wants vengeance: ‘so pass me that revolver there … and ask me what I dread, that the good in me is dead’.

B. WAR AND ITS CAUSES. What is war? What are the causes of war and who is responsible? What weapons are involved today?

The following songs illustrate the answers. ** Highly recommended; * Recommended.

At the Elbe by Fred Small *

At the end of World War II US and Russian soldiers, advancing into Germany, met as comrades at the Elbe; yet the two armies were soon to turn their guns towards each other as the Cold War began.

Faslane by Sue Gilmurray **

The menace of the Trident nuclear missiles, housed at the naval base at Faslane, is contrasted with the scenic beauty of that region of Southern Scotland.

Shoot the enemy down by Sue Gilmurray **

Much of what children are taught in our culture undermines peace by suggesting that success should be won by ruthless destruction of the opposition, usually as retributive justice. This song questions this, especially when applied to our fellow human beings. It also acknowledges the excitement that can make violence attractive.

Scarecrow by John Tams **

War not only takes lives through direct killing but also because it destroys resources and the fabric of society by which people live. But who deserves the blame for all this?

Warlords by Fred Small **

Many wars arise as growing populations compete for natural resources.This song speaks of fighting and killing for the water and the oil we need; but we also need love and this brings the reductio ad absurdum: “We cannot kill for love.”

C. THE IMPACT OF WAR ON ORDINARY PEOPLE’S LIVES. What does history tell us about the results of war? Can they be successful in their outcomes? Who benefits and who suffers (for the innocents and the refugees)?

The following songs illustrate the answers. ** Highly recommended; * Recommended.

Cranes over Hiroshima by Fred Small **

A valuable song to use at and around the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Sadako Sasaki was a child in Hiroshima who survived the atom bomb blast but died 10 years later from leukaemia. Following a Japanese tradition that holds that folding a thousand origami cranes will bring good health, she begins making paper cranes. On the base of her statue in the Hiroshima Peace Park is this inscription: ‘This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace in the world’, words that form the chorus of this song.

Disadvantage by Sue Gilmurray **

A look at Iraq, reflecting on how even the decent and well-meaning can be corrupted by the nature of war, leaders, soldiers and civilians alike.

Kids by Sue Gilmurray **

Sierra Leone and Palestine are recent conflicts which have made use of children as combatants. Meanwhile, children in arms-exporting countries such as Britain and the US can enjoy fictional violence as entertainment. This is a hard-hitting song which draws the contrasts.

No man’s land (or The green fields of France) by Eric Bogle **

This is one of the best-known anti-war songs. Tony Blair once said it was his favourite folksong. It tells the story of a traveller visiting a First World War cemetery and talking to one of those buried there. It speculates about how his death affected his wife and ends by pointing out that the soldier’s (‘your’) death was in vain because the war has since ‘happened again and again …’.

Refugee By Eric Bogle *

Written to mark UN Refugee Week, this songs speaks of Joseph, an eight-year old living in a dusty transit camp, ‘the only home he’s ever known’.

Rosemary’s sister by Huw Williams *

A tale recounting the death of Rosemary’s sister in the London blitz and how it affected her life.

The day before the war by Robb Johnson **

A song written about the run up to the first Gulf War. It talks about Emily, a six-year old in Britain just after Christmas, and asks what people would be doing in Baghdad at the same time.

The last ploughshare by John Conolly *

An apocalyptic vision of where the spiral of violence might lead if we do nothing to prevent conflict, with the last ploughshare beaten into swords. This is a good discussion-starter on human nature, as it shows how the adventurous spirit which has led to our greatest achievements may also be potentially disastrous.

D. ABOUT THE SOLDIERS. How do soldiers feel about war? How does it affect their lives, especially child soldiers?

The following songs illustrate the answers. ** Highly recommended; * Recommended

First time at a war by Si Kahn *

A young American soldier injured in his first combat writes to his mother. His words maintain a naive cheerfulness: we are invited to become angry on his behalf.

Higher form of war by Sue Gilmurray **

A bomber pilot, as in recent conflicts in Serbia and Iraq, can inflict enormous damage from the air without seeing the bloodshed or soiling his own hands. In one sense he is “above” the horrors, but his awareness of this brings its own sense of guilt.

How will I ever be simple again by Richard Thompson *

A little girl plays in a war-damaged city. The soldier who sees her yearns for her innocence, but is aware that war has corrupted him.

Rich man’s war by Steve Earle **

A good song which relates to three people: two US soldiers, one serving in Irag, the other in Afghanistan; and a suicide bomber from the Gaza Strip. It describes their backrounds and how they found themselves in these particular roles. The refrain is: ‘Just another poor boy of to fight a rich man’s war’.

E. ABOUT THE CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS AND ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS. What makes people refuse army enlistment or, if in the army, refuse to fight in some places or circumstances? How are they treated and what do they feel?

The following songs illustrate the answers. ** Highly recommended; * Recommended

Ballad of Vic Williams by Robb Johnson **

Private Vic Williams, a British soldier who refused to fight in the 1990/91 Gulf War, is possibly Britain’s most recent conscientious objector. The song is based on his own account of what made him rebel.

Lock them away! They lead the way by Sue Gilmurray*

Israel’s occupation of Palestine has led many soldiers and reservists to refuse military duties. The song describes five young men who were imprisoned for this, and considers their motives and the impact they may have.

The ones who said no by Sue Gilmurray **

This is a song about all those conscientious objectors who, over the years, have refused to fight in wars. It is now sung regularly at the ceremony that takes place in Tavistock Square, London on International Conscientious Objectors’ Day, May 15^th, to commemorate and take inspiration from all who have suffered for the right to refuse to kill.

With my hammer by Shannon Smy **

The true story of the ‘Warton Four’ women who damaged a British hawk jet aircraft to prevent it from being sold to Indonesia and used against civilians in East Timor. The jury who heard them plead their cause acquitted them.

F. MILITARISATION AND THE INTERNATIONAL ARMS TRADE. What are the effects of militarisation? What part does the international arms trade play in war? How is the arms trade justified? Who benefits from arms sales?

The following songs illustrate the answers. ** Highly recommended; * Recommended

Defence by Sue Gilmurray *

Defence is a reasonable idea, but it has been used as an excuse for an arms race that threatens us all. As the chorus says: ‘They call it all defence: they lie.’

Lives in the balance by Jackson Browne **

An excellent anti-arms trade song telling how western countries encourage conflict by selling arms to developing countries, where desperation drives oppressed people to violence. We are reminded how governments defend the commercial interests of arms export companies, and use the media to “sell us our wars”.

Masters of war by Bob Dylan **

Written in the 1960s, this is a hard and uncompromising criticism of the people responsible for war and the arms trade, who reap the profits , but only risk other people’s lives.

Space for peace by Sue Gilmurray *

This is an extended play on the meaning of the word ‘space’, outer, inner and personal. It warns against the militarisation of space which the US’s National Missile Defence would bring.

War machine rolls round by Sue Gilmurray **

This is a denunciation of how the arms industry involves workers at home in the deaths of innocent people far away. Now often sung at demonstrations.

Where is the love? by The Black-eyed Peas **

This was a hit single in 2003. It asks what is wrong with the world and sets out many of the problems including war, the arms trade and injustice. The song was used in the video/DVD, about the international arms trade, produced by children at The Royal Docks Community School, London in 2004. The video/DVD, which was entitled Where is the love?, can be obtained from the Campaign Against Arms Trade (020 7281 0297; www.caat.org.uk).

G. TERRORISM. What are the causes of terrorism? How should the threatened countries respond to it?

The following songs illustrate the answers. ** Highly recommended; * Recommended

Out of the clear blue sky by John Lester **

This song begins by refering to personal anger (saying that ‘I didn’t know that I sowed the seeds of my anger’ and that ‘there was always a battle for my ways’). It goes on to relate this to the anger that can lead to acts of international terrorism like the attack on the Twin Towers in New York by Al Qaeda. An excellent stimulus to discussions about international terrorism.

Rich man’s war by Steve Earle **

A good song which relates to three people: two US soldiers, one serving in Irag, the other trying to find Al-Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan; and a suicide bomber from the Gaza Strip. It describes their backrounds and how they found themselves in these particular roles. The refrain is: ‘Just another poor boy of to fight a rich man’s war’.

The rising by Bruce Springsteen *

A song about a fireman working to save people trapped in the Twin Towers disaster in New York on 11.9.

War on terror by Sue Gilmurray *

President Bush’s response to September 11^th is the starting-point for a claim that fighting terror with terror is counter-productive.

H. ALTERNATIVES TO WAR AND MILITARY CONFLICT. What are the non-violent alternatives for settling international disputes? To what extent are they used? Are they successful? Can war be outlawed?

The following songs illustrate the answers. ** Highly recommended; * Recommended

The tide turns by Sue Gilmurray *

Is it realistic to hope that war can be outlawed? Slavery was once almost universally accepted, but is now rejected by societies which consider themselves civilised. Why should war not go the same way?

Between the wars by Billy Bragg *

A song extolling the working-class virtues of hard work and moderation, and contrasting them with aggressive patriotism and militarism.

Last night I had the strangest dream by Ed McCurdy **

A simple and childlike vision of the whole world renouncing warfare. Is it intended as such, or is there deliberate irony in calling the laying down of arms ‘the strangest dream’?

Music of healing by Tommy Sands **

An excellent and much sung song about reconciliation. The music referred to in the title is the Irish lament, and this inspirational song tells us that only by reconciliation - the learning of each other’s songs - can we overcome violence. ‘The heart’s a wonder, stronger than the guns that thunder, even though we’re torn asunder, love will come again.’

I. RECONCILIATION AFTER CONFLICT. How do we reconcile people whose lives are or have been affected by military conflict? How successful have the various methods been?

The following songs illustrate the answers. ** Highly recommended; * Recommended

Hills of Ayalon by Fred Small **

An excellent song to stiimulate discussion because it refers directly to young people. There is in Israel a settlement called Oasis of Peace (in Hebrew, Neve Shalom, and in Arabic, Wahat Al-Salam) where Jews and Arabs live and work together and lead Youth Encounter Workshops where Jewish and Arab young people can learn more about each other. This song is based on an actual dialogue at one of these workshops. For further details go to http://nswas.com.

Music of healing by Tommy Sands **

An excellent and much sung song about reconciliation. The music referred to in the title is the Irish lament, and this inspirational song tells us that only by reconciliation - the learning of each other’s songs - can we overcome violence. ‘The hearts a wonder, stronger than the guns that thunder, even though we’re torn asunder, love will come again.

Teach me the way of peace by Sue Gilmurray *

This is a prayer, but addressed to our fellow humans at least as much as to God. It expresses the conviction that peace and love are not weak or passive, but can and should be strong and vibrant. Each verse ends ‘and generous always’.

J. SONGS TO ‘FIRE THE HEART’ AND ENCOURAGE PEACEMAKING

The following songs illustrate the answers. ** Highly recommended; * Recommended

Firing of the heart by Sue Gilmurray *

‘The firing of the heart’ (to work for peace) is contrasted with the ‘firing of the guns’

Imagine by John Lennon *

Dismissed by some as naively utopian, this is nonetheless one of the world’s favourite songs: a vision of peace through brotherhood and sharing.

Not in our name by James Frost **

Set against the background of the 15^th February 2003 demonstration organised by the Stop the War Coalition, when an estimated two million people marched in London against the Iraq War, this anthem simply stands against the war by saying ‘Not in our name’. It also refers to the demonstrations in other European capitals.

Peace is by Fred Small **

Singing together is at the heart of folk music: the moment when we stop playing ‘performer’ and ‘audience’ and become a community, and each of us is reminded of the power within us and around us. Peace is is a very good singalong song about protest and suitable for all ages.

Peace will come by Tom Paxton **

A simple song combining realism – ‘My own life is all I can hope to control’ – with optimism – ‘Peace will come: let it begin with me.’

(Something inside) so strong by Labi Siffre **

Not specifically about physical violence but this song connects the personal and the political. It was originally written about Apartheid in South Africa. In recent years it has been adopted in a number of contexts where it is important for us to hold on to our rights and our deeply held convictions.

Unity by John Tams **

A song affirming the strength gained by people campaigning together.

DISCOGRAPHY

The issues addressed by different songs are indicated by letters A to J as above.

All the fine young men by Eric Bogle. Sung by Eric Bogle on The Eric Bogle Songbook volume 2 (CDTRAX 051).

The soldiers of both World Wars were told that their fighting would be a means to ultimate peace. This song claims that they were deceived, and death was the only peace they found.(D).

And the band played Waltzing Matilda by Eric Bogle. Sung by him on Now I’m easy (CM CD 004).

An Australian soldier disabled at Gallipoli in World War I tells the story of his terrible experience, and wonders whether it served any purpose. (B and D).

Arms trader by Raised Voices (1).

The song presents four pictures of lives wrecked by various weapons of war, and follows each one by imagining how the arms salesman had presented his lethal product as a desirable purchase. It was written by and for members of the Raised Voices choir.(F)