Songs of Protest, Songs of Hope

Post date: Oct 07, 2015 11:6:48 PM

Songs of Protest, Songs of Hope was the third and final event of the Quaker Day of Action in Support of Equality, Homeless People and Refugees on Saturday 3 October 2015. It involved ensemble singing accompanied by ukulele and piano. About half a dozen Friends, and two of the speakers from the earlier part of the afternoon were present.The result was enjoyable, if a little rough round the edges, and one of the speakers likened the event to occasions in his childhood when the entire family would gather around the piano at Christmas and sing songs together. As enjoyable as the experience was, it could have been improved in three respects: 1) had there been more musicians, 2) who had previously practiced together as a group, and 3) a few more singers.

A playlist of 15 songs had been prepared, and song sheets printed. Chords for guitar / ukulele were arranged and printed. Wonderfully, David Clarke was able accompany many of the songs on the piano without the benefit of sheet music.

With the previous session having over-run, sadly we did not get to sing our way through the entire playlist. However, here is the intended playlist:

Songs of hope

• • Let It Be (The Beatles)

  • Simple Gifts (Shaker song

  • Turn, Turn, Turn (adapted from a song written by Pete Seeger who adapted it from Ecclesiastes 3)

  • The Times They Are A Changin’ (Bob Dylan)

  • We Shall Overcome (Pete Seeger)

Anti-war songs

• • Blowin’ In The Wind (Bob Dylan)

  • Where Have All The Flowers Gone (Pete Seeger)

  • Dancing At Whitsun (written by Austin John Marshall, made famous by Tim Hart)

Concern for the natural environment

• • Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell)

Standing alongside people who are marginalised

• • Barney’s Epic Homer (Leon Rosselson)

  • King Of The Road (Trailer For Sale Or Rent) (Roger Miller)

  • Ramblin’ Boy (Tom Paxton)

  • Hit The Road, Jack (written by Percy Mayfield, made famous by Ray Charles)

  • Streets Of London (Ralph McTell)

  • The World Turned Upside Down (Leon Rosselson)

Further suggestions, to extend the playlist for the future, will be welcomed and gratefully received.