Protest Songs

Creedence Clearwater Revival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBfjU3_XOaA Songwriters: JOHN C. FOGERTY Some folks are born to wave the flag, Ooh, they're red, white and blue. And when the band plays "Hail to the chief", Ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord, It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no senator's son, son. It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no, Yeah! Some folks are born silver spoon in hand, Lord, don't they help themselves, oh. But when the taxman comes to the door, Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes, It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no millionaire's son, no. It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no. Some folks inherit star spangled eyes, Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord, And when you ask them, "How much should we give?" Ooh, they only answer More! more! more! yoh, It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no military son, son. It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, one. It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no no no, It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate son, no no no,

Initial Thoughts? What might this song be about? Info: USA 1970

‘Fortunate Son’ Written around the time of the Vietnam War, when many Americans were not happy about their soldiers going into Vietnam to fight. Richard Nixon was president of the US when band leader John Fogerty wrote this song. Fogerty was not a fan of Nixon and felt that people close to the president were receiving preferential treatment. This song was written from whose perspective?

‘Fortunate Son’ This song was written from the perspective of a soldier, one who ends up fighting because he doesn’t have the connections to get himself out of the army. He isn’t ‘a senator’s son’. Most of the soldiers came from the working class, and were there because they didn't have connections or the money to get them out.

The Beatles – ‘revolution’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGLGzRXY5Bw You say you want a revolution Well, you know We all want to change the world You tell me that it's evolution Well, you know We all want to change the world But when you talk about destruction Don't you know that you can count me out Don't you know it's gonna be all right All right, all right You say you got a real solution Well, you know We'd all love to see the plan You ask me for a contribution Well, you know We're doing what we can But when you want money For people with minds that hate All I can tell is brother you have to wait Don't you know it's gonna be all right All right, all right You say you'll change the constitution Well, you know We all want to change your head You tell me it's the institution Well, you know You better free you mind instead But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow Don't you know it's gonna be all right All right, all right All right, all right, all right All right, all right, all right

Initial Thoughts? What might this song be about? Info: USA Around the same time period as ‘Fortunate Son’ Many riots going on around the country (main topic: America government’s decision to join the Vietnam War)

John Lennon’s View These people are protesting against the government (a democratic government), many with violence. But why would we want to be involved with violence , hate, destruction and a change in the constitution? It’s not that bad. Why don’t you tell us what your plans are?

Reference: ‘Chairman Mao’ Communist leader of China 1945-1976 Created his own laws to suit him Why did John Lennon make a reference to Chairman Mao in this song?

Chairman Mao Reference American people would have seen many Images of the people in China having Chairman Mao’s photo everywhere. They saw him as a dictator. John Lennon is trying to remind us what it might be like to live in a dictatorship. These protestors are very anti-government (which is a democracy). Should we be worried that they might be in favour of a dictatorship?

‘Treaty’ – Yothu Yindi Now two rivers run their course Separated for so long I'm dreaming of a brighter day When the waters will be one Treaty Yeah Treaty Now Treaty Yeah Treaty Now Treaty Yeah Treaty Now Treaty Yeah Traty Now Nhima djatpa nhe walang gumurrtjararrk yawirriny Nhe gaya nhe matjini Gaya nhe matjini Gaya gaya nhe gaya nhe Matjini walangwalang Nhema djatpa nhe walang - Nhe gumurrtjarrk nhe ya- Promises - Disappear - Priceless land - Destiny - Well I heard it on the Radio - And I saw it on the Television Just like writing in the sand Treaty Yeah Treaty Now ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7cbkxn4G8U Well I heard it on the radio And I saw it on the television Back in 1988 All those talking politicians Words are easy, words are cheap Much cheaper than our priceless land But promises can disappear Just like writing in the sand Treaty Yeah Treaty Now Treaty Yeah Treaty Now Nhima Djatpangarri nhima walangwalang - Nhe Djatpayatpa nhima gaya nhe- Matjini.... Yakarray - nhe Djat'pa nhe walang - Gumurrtijararrk Gutjuk - This land was never given up This land was never bought and sold The planting of the Union Jack Never changed our law at all

“The planting of the Union Jack Never changed our law at all” Initial Thoughts? What might this song be about? Info: 1988 (Australia’s bi-centennary of British settlement in Australia) What is the union Jack… What could.. “The planting of the Union Jack Never changed our law at all” .. mean?

What was happening at the time? 1988 marked the bi-centennary of British settlement in Australia, and it was in this year that Prime Minister Bob Hawke attended the Barunga Festival in a small Indigenous community south of Katherine. On receiving the Barunga Statement (1988) at the Barunga Festival, Prime Minister Hawke vowed that his government would enter into a Treaty with Indigenous Australians by 1990. However, this promise would never be realised. The intention of this song was to raise public awareness about this so that the government would be encouraged hold to its promise.

Meaning? Now two rivers run their course Separated for so long I'm dreaming of a brighter day When the waters will be one What is the meaning of this verse? (Consider the choice or words and the imagery associated with it)

You’re the Voice https://youtu.be/tbkOZTSvrHs