A Music Thread

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Another June Tabor rendition- 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda':

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Song by Victor Jara, performance by Robert Wyatt, 'Te Recuerdo Amanda' :

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Muzsikas dedicated a whole album to the lost Jewish music of Hungary/Transylvania. This one had particular poignancy for survivors of Auschwitz:
'Ane Maamin'-

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'Kaddish' the album, by Towering Inferno- is not easy listening, by any means. This is 'The Rose' :

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p j harvey and 'The Ballad Of The Soldier's Wife' :

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Don Cherry & 'There Is The Bomb':

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'Fighting For Strangers', Steeleye Span.

What makes you go abroad fighting for strangers
When you could be safe at home free from all dangers?

A recruiting sergeant came our way
To an inn nearby at the close of day
He said young Johnny you're a fine young man
Would you like to march along behind a military band,
With a scarlet coat and a big cocked hat,
And a musket at your shoulder?
The shilling he took and he kissed the book,
Oh poor Johnny what will happen to ya?

The recruiting sergeant marched away
From the inn nearby at the break of day,
Johnny went too with half a ring
He was off to be a soldier he'd be fighting for the King
In a far off war in a far off land
To face a foreign soldier,
But how will you fare when there's lead in the air,
Oh poor Johnny, what'll happen to ya?

What makes you go abroad fighting for strangers
When you could be safe at home free from all dangers?

The sun shone hot on a barren land
As a thin red line took a military stand,
There was sling shot, chain shot, grape shot too,
Swords and bayonets thrusting through,
Poor Johnny fell but the day was won
And the King is grateful to you
But your soldiering's done and they're sending you home,
Oh poor Johnny what have they done to ya?

They said he was a hero and not to grieve
Over two wooden pegs and empty sleeves,
They carried him home and set him down
With a military pension and a medal from the crown.
You haven't an arm and you haven't a leg,
The enemy nearly slew you,
You'll have to go out on the streets to beg,
Oh poor Johnny what have they done to ya?

What makes you go abroad fighting for strangers
When you could be safe at home free from all dangers?


recorded by Steeleye Span on "Rocket Cottage" (1976).
Note: This is one of the most intense 19th century anti-war
songs.
It seems to be a combination of pieces of several other songs, the
first two verses are reminiscent of the Irish recruiting songs like
"Twa Recruiting Sergeants" or "Arthur McBride" with a short hint
at the Broken Token theme ("with half a ring")
while the second half of the last verse is snatched as a whole
from "Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya".

To the tune of "He Who Would Valiant Be".

MJ

http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/folk-song-lyrics/Fighting_for_Strangers.htm

[Addled Platypus]

that was a entertaining fork in the road, many thanks

[Addled Platypus]

oh hell yeah...R&R

[Addled Platypus]

[Addled Platypus]

the future is bright, bring it home kid

[mactbone]

In honor of the election:
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks - "Senator"

Regina Spektor - "Ballad Of A Politician"

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I know it's not February 14, but the smoky seductiveness of this track needs to be heard. Julie London, 'My Funny Valentine'- almost enough to make me go straight...

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Was a performance of a song more aptly named ?

'Come Together', Ike & Tina Turner

Whew....

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Some cold water would seem appropriate right now. The Dramatics, 'In The Rain' :