Political and Historical Songs

There are many songs which detail historical events, particularly battles, hangings, and rebellions. Whilst the Folk Revival was ushered in on a wave of very political songs such as the CND songs, Irish rebel songs, and union songs, the traditional songs were often more subtle in their attack on the cruelty of the bosses and the establishment.

• Our Subversive Voice THE HISTORY AND POLITICS OF THE ENGLISH PROTEST SONG "Our Subversive Voice: The History and Politics of the English Protest Song’ is a two-year research project funded by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council. It is based at the University of East Anglia, and involves colleagues from the universities of Warwick and Reading. We are investigating the use of song to register protest through the ages, from 1600 to 2020." They have a website of c750 songs. Our Subversive Voice

Roy Palmer is a scholar who has produced many antholgies on particular themes, and three relevant to this one are:

• A Touch on the Times, Roy Palmer, 1974, Penguin Education. Subtitled Songs of Social Change 1770 to 1914, this is a fascinating mix of potent fine songs, old photographs, and historical commentary from the author. J B Priestly called the book "revealing, funny, pathetic, and a measure of authentic social detail."

• The Sound of History, Roy Palmer, 1988, OUP. Covering broadly similar subjects to "A Touch on the Times", this is a more academic treatment of the subject, but equally simulating.

• A Ballad History of England, Roy Palmer, 1979, B.T.Batsford. The book covers "from 1588 to the present day",and is exactly what its title claims.