Table of contents
- Our Top 10 Socialist Songs
- 1. Imagine: John Lennon
- 2.This Land is Your Land: Woodie Guthrie
- 3. Talkin Bout a Revolution: Tracy Chapman
- 4. Joe Hill: Paul Robeson
- 5. Bread and Roses: Judy Collins
- 6. The Internationale: Toscaninie
- 7. Union Maid: Woodie Guthrie
- 8. Ringing of Revolution: Phil Ochs
- 9. We Shall Overcome: Pete Seger
- 10. Aint done nothing if you ain’t been called a red: Faith Petric
- Communist Song Lyrics
- Modern Socialist Songs
Our Top 10 Socialist Songs
Socialist songs, often referred to as “protest songs” or “songs of solidarity,” have been an integral part of social movements advocating for workers’ rights, social justice, and equality.
1. Imagine: John Lennon
2.This Land is Your Land: Woodie Guthrie
3. Talkin Bout a Revolution: Tracy Chapman
4. Joe Hill: Paul Robeson
5. Bread and Roses: Judy Collins
6. The Internationale: Toscaninie
7. Union Maid: Woodie Guthrie
8. Ringing of Revolution: Phil Ochs
9. We Shall Overcome: Pete Seger
10. Aint done nothing if you ain’t been called a red: Faith Petric
Communist Song Lyrics
The most ‘iconic’ communist song of all time is ‘The Internationale’. The lyrics of this socialist song can be hard to catch for the new listener. So the lyrics, as appeared in the IWW Songbook (34th Edition) are reproduced below:
Arise ye pris’ners of starvation
Arise ye wretched of the earth
For justice thunders condemnation
A better world’s in birth!
No more tradition’s chains shall bind us
Arise, ye slaves, no more in thrall;
The earth shall rise on new foundations
We have been naught we shall be all.
Refrain:
’Tis the final conflict
Let each stand in his place
The International Union
Shall be the human race.
We want no condescending saviors
To rule us from their judgement hall
We workers ask not for their favors
Let us consult for all.
To make the theif disgorge his booty
To free the spirit from its cell
We must ourselves decide our duty
We must decide and do it well.
The law oppresses us and tricks us,
The wage slave system drains our blood;
The rich are free from obligation,
The laws the poor delude.
Too long we’ve languished in subjection,
Equality has other laws;
“No rights”, says she “without their duties,
No claims on equals without cause.”
Behold them seated in their glory
The kings of mine and rail and soil!
What have you read in all their story,
But how they plundered toil?
Fruits of the workers’ toil are buried
In strongholds of the idle few
In working for their restitution
The men will only claim their due.
We toilers from all fields united
Join hand in hand with all who work;
The earth belongs to us, the workers,
No room here for the shirk.
How many on our flesh have fattened!
But if the norsome birds of prey
Shall vanish from the sky some morning
The blessed sunlight then will stay.
Modern Socialist Songs
Modern socialist songs often blend contemporary musical styles with messages of social justice, equality, and solidarity. Here are some notable examples:
- “The Hammer and Sickle” by The Coup – This track by the hip-hop group The Coup mixes socialist themes with modern rap, addressing economic and social issues.
- “I Am a Revolutionary” by The Rebel Diaz – This song blends hip-hop with revolutionary rhetoric, advocating for systemic change and justice.
- “People’s World” by David Rovics – David Rovics is known for his politically charged folk music, and “People’s World” reflects themes of collective struggle and socialism.
These songs reflect a range of styles and approaches, from folk and hip-hop to modern renditions of classic anthems, all promoting messages of social justice and solidarity.
These are just a few examples of socialist songs that have resonated with movements for social change throughout history. They continue to inspire and unite people in their struggles for a more just and equitable society.