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We have a new CD which we recorded at a benefit concert in the Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare on 21st June 2008. The CD will be available from mid-July for £10 + postage and packing.  If you would like to order a copy please email us at rednoteschoir@yahoo.co.uk  

Below is a list of all the songs we sing. Details of words and a sample from the songs will be available shortly. 

1)       Guantanamera  Words José Martí Music José Fernández Diaz  Arr. John Abraham
 The words are from the Cuban nationalist poet and independence hero José Martí.  “With the poor people of the earth I want to share my fate”.

2)   El Pueblo Unido Words and music Sergio Ortega and Quilapayún  Arr. J Abraham
 ”The people united will never be defeated”.  From the Chilean New Song movement this became the anthem of Chilean resistance following the violent coup against the elected President Salvador Allende on September 11th 1973

3)   El Himno Sandinista  Words and music Carlos Mejia Godoy Arr. Anne-Marie Fearon
 The anthem of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) of Nicaragua, which was the driving force in ending the corrupt Somoza regime in 1979

4)   Rumbala  Words Bart Van Der Schelling  Music traditional  Arr. John Abraham
A song from the Spanish Civil War “Viva the 15th Brigade” commemorating those who fought to try to stop Franco and the spread of fascism

5)   The Message  Words Martin Niemoeller Music John Jordan
 The warning words of Pastor Niemoller on the failure of people, including himself, to stand up against the Nazis

6)   Shtil di Nacht  Words and music Hirsh Glik  Arr. John Abraham
A song of resistance sung in Yiddish.  The author was a young poet, musician and partisan born in 1922 in Vilna Lithuania, who was killed by the Nazis in 1944.  The song describes the courage of a young woman in the Jewish resistance who successfully sabotaged a train carrying weapons and munitions. “Her bravery gives everyone the courage to fight for freedom”.

7)   Watch Out Words and music Holly Near  Arr. B Westacott
 A warning song about war, those who initiate it and the damage inflicted on those who work the land and dream of peace.

8)   Biladi  Words and music traditional  Arr. John Abraham
A song in Arabic which reflects the tragedy of occupation and the loss of homeland suffered by the Palestinian people “My land my land my land, for you is my love and my heart”.

9)   Mandela  Words and music traditional  Arr. John Abraham
A Southern African song recognising the inspiration of Nelson Rohlilala Mandela in the struggle against apartheid 

10) Nkosi Sikelele Africa  Words and music Enoch Mankayi Sontonga  Arr. J Abraham
Adopted by the African National Congress and now incorporated as part of the South African National Anthem. It is also the national anthem of Tanzania.

11) Soyilwela  Words and music traditional 
”We are struggling, we will go on struggling until Africa is free”.

12) Shosholoza Words and music traditional  Arr. John Abraham
A southern African song with a number of interpretations. This version is of migrant workers travelling from Zimbabwe to the mines of South Africa at the dreadful time of apartheid. Picture the train approaching with the singing getting louder and then passing into the distance.

13) Merthyr Rising  Words traditional   Music Anne-Marie Fearon
Wales in 1831 when coal miners and others took to the streets of Merthyr Tydfil calling for reform, protesting against the lowering of their wages and unemployment. The protest spread and by the end of the month the whole area was in rebellion.  For the first time in Britain the Red Flag of revolution was flown. The response of the establishment is graphically displayed in our song.

14) Tolpuddle Man  Words and music  Graham Moore  Arr.  Anne-Marie Fearon
A celebration of the Tolpuddle Martyrs from Dorset who were sentenced in 1834 to 7 years deportation to Australia for forming a trade union, but who returned within 2 years as a result of the public outcry

15) Union Maid  Words and music Woody Guthrie Arr. John Abraham
A trade union song from North America concerning the struggles of women who must not only deal with the bosses but also their male colleagues

16) Power in the Union  Words and music Billy Bragg   Arr.  Anne-Marie Fearon
A song of solidarity and internationalism - “with our brothers and our sisters from many far off lands, there is power in the Union”

17) Chiffon Rouge  Words and music Michel Fugain   Arr. John Abraham
A French song – “car le monde sera ce que tu le fera plein d’amour, de justice at de joie”  - “because the world will be what you make it, full of love, justice and joy”

18) One World One Chance Words/arr. Raised Voices set to traditional S. African music
An opportunity for everyone to join in with a life-affirming song  - 
One Song, One Dance, One World, One Chance

19) Rolling Home  Words and music John Tams  Arr. Tony Hindle/A-M Fearon
 A song for all who have worked to feed themselves, their families and the wider world and who deserve the fuller fruits of their labour - “fair wages now and ever, let’s reap what we have sown”

20) Internationale  Words Eugene Pottier  Music Pierre Degeyter  Arr. John Abraham
 The song of internationalism which “unites the human race”. Translated into many languages, we sing the 1st verse in the original French and then in English.

21) Oh Freedom  Words and Music Traditional
 A traditional South African gospel song, the words are written to celebrate freedom struggles around the world
 

 

CD frontWe recorded our first CD in June 2004, thanks to generous sponsorship from Democratic Left South West, South West TUC and Bristol CND.

 

You can hear extracts from some tracks below.  To   order a copy for £6 incl p&p  e-mail us at rednoteschoir@yahoo.co.uk

The songs on the CD are

CD back

and the words are printed below.

Click on the highlighted song titles below to hear a sample. (They may take a little time to download -   Oh Freedom is the shortest, Bandiera Rossa the longest.)

1.        Siya Hamba      Originally a South African gospel song.

2.        Bandiera Rossa   Italian equivalent of the Red Flag.  A theme song of both Socialist and Communist Party rallies. Music and words : Traditional/Anon

3.         We Are Building
          Music and words  : Traditional with additional 
           verses by Red Notes        

4.       Senzeni Na? Traditional South African song sung at funerals: "what have we done but to be black"  

5.        Solidarity Forever
Music : Traditional ("John Brown's Body")      
Words: Ralph Chaplin  

6.        Which Side Are You On?   
Music : Traditional   Words : Florence Reece  

7.        Red Flag (pause plus extra verse)   
Music : Maryland   Words/arr. : Alan Bush   
Extra verse words : Clare Isaac and Red Notes  

8.        We Shall Overcome   
Music and words : Traditional   
Arr. : Anne-Marie Fearon  

9.        Hiroshima   Written in 1955 in warning and remembrance of 1945
Music : Koki Kinoshit   Words : Ewan MacColl  

10.     Diggers Song   Written by Gerard Winstanley, one of the original Diggers, to commemorate their struggle for peaceful co-existence on the land and their wish to live on the land without the control of the landowners
Music : 17th Century melody   Words : Gerard Winstanley   Arr. : Kate Howard  

11.      Bread and Roses  
Music  : Mimi Farina   Words : James Oppenheim   
Arr. : Anne-Marie Fearon  

12.     Walls of Jericho
Music : Traditional   
Words/arr. :  Wendy Lewis and Beatty Smith  

13.     Only our Rivers   This song remembers the struggle for Irish      self-determination   
Music & words : Traditional   
Arr. : Wolfe Tones and John Abrahams  

14.     Asikatali   A traditional South African song   
Arr. : Raised Voices  

15.     Mae Gen I Freuddwyd   This is a song by a contemporary Welsh poet which envisages a world of peace, racial harmony and justice …..“I have a dream”    Music : Traditional   Words : Myrddin Ap Dafydd  

16.     Oh Freedom   A traditional South African gospel song, the words are written to celebrate freedom struggles around the world  

17.     Internationale (French and English)   This is a famous Socialist anthem translated into countless languages around the world and its words and stirring music serve to call workers and socialists everywhere to rise up against tyranny and capitalism   
Music : Pierre Degeyter   Words : Eugene Pottier   

 

We also have Tshirts available in red with our logo (in yellow)
        
on the front and "Bristol's Socialist Choir" on the back. 

We are a non-profit-making choir and all proceeds from our sales are ploughed back into enabling us to be more effective in campaigning with those causes that support the struggle for peace, justice and human rights.

 

SIYA HAMBA

 Siya hamb’ekameni loko lo, siya hamb’ekameni loko lo
 Siya hamb’ekameni loko lo, siya hamb’ekameni loko lo
 Siya hamba, hamba, siya hamba, hamba
 Siya hamb’ekameni loko, loko lo
 Siya hamba, hamba, siya hamba, hamba
 Siya hamb’ekameni loko lo

We are marching in the name of peace, We are marching in the name of peace
We are marching in the name of peace, We are marching in the name of peace
We are marching, marching, we are marching, marching
We are marching in the name of peace
We are marching, marching, we are marching, marching
We are marching in the name of peace

We are singing in the name of peace etc.

We are dancing in the name of peace etc. 

(Repeat first verse)
 

 BANDIERA ROSSA
Avanti popolo, a la rescossa
 Bandiera rossa, bandiera rossa
 Avanti popolo, a la rescossa
 Bandiera rossa, trionfera

Chorus
 Bandiera rossa la trionfera
 Bandiera rossa la trinofera
 Bandiera rossa la trionfera
E viv’il comunismo e la liberta

Non piu nemici, non piu frontere
Son i confini rossa bandiere
O proletari a la rescossa
 Bandiera rossa trionfera

 (Chorus twice)

 

 WE ARE BUILDING

We are building a strong movement
We are building a strong movement
We are building a strong movement
People join the fight

Every member makes us stronger etc.

Take your bloody hands off Iraq

Time to end the occupation

Let Iraqis run their country

We are building a strong movement

 

 SENZENINA

Senzenina, senzenina, senzenina, senzenina
 Senzenina, senzenina, senzenina, senzenina

 Sono sethu ubumnyama, sono sethu ubumnyama
 Sono sethu ubumnyama, sono sethu ubumnyama

Senzenina (repeated)

Wenzenina, wenzenina, oh Mandela
 Wenzenina, wenzenina, oh Mandela
 Wenzenina, wenzenina, wenzenina, oh Mandela

Wenzenina, oh Tambo

Wenzenina, oh Hani

Benzenina, Abansundu

Senzenina (repeated)

 

 SOLIDARITY

Chorus
 Solidarity for ever, solidarity for ever, solidarity for ever
For the union makes us strong

When the union’s inspiration through the workers’ blood shall run
There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun
Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one
But the union makes us strong

(Chorus) 

Is there aught we hold in common with the greedy parasite
Who would lash us into serfdom and would crush us with his might
Is there anything left to us but to organise and fight
For the union makes us strong

(Chorus)

All the world that’s owned by idle drones for exploit and for greed
We will change and work together not for profit but for need
If we stand up and be counted we are certain to succeed
For the union makes us strong

(Chorus)

In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold
Greater than the might of armies magnified a thousand fold
We can bring to birth a new world from the ashes of the old
For the union makes us strong

(Chorus twice)

 

WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?

Come all of you good people
You women and you men
Once more our backs are to the wall
We are being attacked again

Chorus
 Which side are you on? Which side are you on?
Which side are you on? Which side are you on?

Don’t scab for the bosses
Don’t listen to their lies
 Us workers haven’t got a chance
Unless we organise

(Chorus)

We fought a million battles
To defend our hard won rights
We’re going to have to fight again
And I ask you here tonight

(Chorus)

Its time for a decision
And you really have to choose
Defend the workers’ struggle
Or the next in line is you

 

THE RED FLAG

The people’s flag is deepest red
It shrouded oft our martyred dead
And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold
Their heart’s blood dyed its every fold

Chorus
 Then raise the scarlet standard high
Within its shade we’ll live or die
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer
We’ll keep the red flag flying here 

It waved above our infant might
When all ahead seemed dark as night
It witnessed many a deed and vow
We must not change its colour now 

(Chorus)

It well recalls the triumphs past
It gives the hope of peace at last
The banner bright, the symbol plain
Of human right and human gain 

(Chorus)

With heads uncovered swear we all
To bear it onwards ‘till we fall
Come dungeon dark or gallows grim
This song shall be our parting hymn

(Chorus)

New Labour’s flag is palest pink
 Its not as red as you might think
And Tony’s added shades of blue
He does not care for me and you


So let the workers rise again
Their scarlet banner to reclaim
Defend the values we hold dear
And keep the red flag flying here

 

WE SHALL OVERCOME

We shall overcome we shall overcome we shall overcome some day
For deep in my heart  I do believe
We shall overcome some day

We’ll walk hand in hand etc.

We shall live in peace

Justice will prevail

We shall overcome

 

HIROSHIMA SONG

In the place where our city was destroyed
Where we buried the ashes of the ones that we loved
There the green grass grows and the white waving  weeds
Deadly the harvest of two atom bombs
Then brothers and sisters we must watch and take care
That the third atom bomb never comes

Gentle rain gathers poison from the sky
And the fish carry death in the depths of the sea
Fishing boats are idle, their owners are blind
Deadly the harvest of two atom bombs
Then landsmen and seamen you must watch and take care
That the third atom bomb never comes

All that men have created with their hands
And their minds for the glory of the world we live in
Now it can be smashed, in a moment destroyed
Deadly the harvest of two atom bombs
Then people of the world we must watch and take care
That the third atom bomb never comes

 

DIGGERS

You noble Diggers all, stand up now, stand up now
You noble Diggers all, stand up now
The wasteland to maintain, seeing cavaliers by name
Your digging does distain and persons all defame
Stand up now Diggers all

Your houses they pull down, stand up now, stand up now
Your houses they pull down, stand up now
Your houses they pull down, to fright poor men in town
But the gentry must come down, and the poor shall wear the crown
Stand up now Diggers all

With spades and hoes and ploughs, stand up now, stand up now
With spades and hoes and ploughs, stand up now
Your freedom to uphold, seeing cavaliers are bold
To kill you if they could, your rights from you to hold
Stand up now Diggers all

You noble Diggers all, stand up now, stand up now
You noble Diggers all, stand up now
The wasteland to maintain, seeing cavaliers by name
Your digging does distain and persons all defame
Stand up now Diggers all

 

BREAD AND ROSES

As we come marching, marching, in the beauty of the day
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts grey
re touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses
For the people hear us singing bread and roses bread and roses

(Women only)
As we come marching, marching, we battle too for men
United in the struggle, we stand by them again
Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes
Hearts starve as well as bodies, give us bread but give us roses


As we come marching, marching, unnumbered women dead
Go crying through our singing, their ancient cry for bread
Small love and art and beauty their drudging spirits knew
Yes it is bread we fight for but we fight for roses too

As we come marching, marching, we bring you hope at last
The rising of the women, is the rising of the class
No more the drudge and idler, ten that toil, while one reposes
But a sharing of life’s glories, bread and roses bread and roses

 

 

WALLS OF JERICHO

Chorus
 Israel built a wall around Jericho
Bethlehem, Jerusalem
Israel made a ghetto of Palestine
But that wall will come tumbling down

Let me tell you ‘bout that wall of terror
 It’s a hundred miles wide
It’s a prison wall round Palestine
For the villages trapped inside

(Chorus)

They may talk about security
But it brings no safety there
That wall of occupation
Brings starvation and despair

(Chorus)

That wall stands for apartheid
It steals on every hand
The orchards and the olive groves
The water and the fertile land

 (Chorus)

 

ONLY OUR RIVERS

When apples still grow in November
When blossoms still grow from each tree
When leaves are still green in December
It’s then that our land will be free
I wander her hills and her valleys
But still through my sorrow I see
A land that has never known freedom
And only her rivers run free

I drink to the death of her people
To those who would rather have died
Than to live in the cold chains of bondage
To bring back their rights was denied
Oh where are you now that we need you?
What burns where the flames used to be?
Are you gone like the snows of last winter?
And will only our rivers run free?

How sweet is life but we’re crying
How mellow the wine but we’re dry
How fragrant the rose but it’s dying
How gentle the breeze but it sighs
What good is in youth when it’s ageing?
What joy is in eyes that can’t see?
When there’s sorrow in sunshine and flowers
And still only our rivers run free

 

ASIKATALI

(sops and altos)
 Unsima lomtwa lo Ufuna si llangane
 Unsima lomtwa lo Ufuna si llangane

Chorus

Unsima lomtwa lo Ufuna si llangane
 Unsima lomtwa lo Ufuna si llangane

Asikatali, no masia botshwa
Si si misselin, ku lu le ko (repeat)

(Chorus)         

Tina bantwana, base Africa
Si si misselin, ku lu le ko (repeat)

(Chorus)

(women only)
Tina bafase, base Africa
 Si si misselin, ku lu le ko
(men only)
Tina ma do da, base Africa
 Si si misselin, ku lu le ko

(Chorus)

 

MAE GEN I FREUDDWYD

Mae gen i freuddwyd, bob ryw awr,
 Sy’n freuddwyd i bobl’r holl fyd,
Y daw ryw ddydd y tangnefedd
Y gweddiwyd amdano gyhyd

Mae gen i freuddwyd, nos a dydd
Am fyd heb na milwr na gwn
Na thrais, na chosb, na chasineb
Na bom, hyd a cread crwn

Mae gen i freuddwyd na phyla byth,
Y daw gwerin y gwledydd yn rhydd
O ormes, tlodi a newyn
A phob erledigaeth ddifudd

Mae gen i freuddwyd, nawn a hwyr
O brysied y dydd pan ddaw!
Y gwyn a’r croenddu’n cydgerdded,
 Holl bobloedd y byd law yn llaw

 

OH FREEDOM      

Freedom is coming, freedom is coming
Freedom is coming, oh yes I know

Chorus
 Oh yes I know, oh yes I know
Oh yes I know, oh yes I know

Amandla wethu, amandla wethu
 Amandla wethu, amandla

(Chorus)

 Viva sandino, viva sandino
 Viva sandino, oh viva

(Chorus)

Power is coming, power is coming
Power is coming, oh yes I know

(Chorus)

Freedom is coming, freedom is coming
Freedom is coming, oh yes I know

(Chorus)

 

INTERNATIONALE

Arise ye starvelings from your slumber
Arise ye criminals of want
For reason in revolt now thunders
And at last ends the age of cant
Now away with all your superstitions
Servile masses arise, arise
We’ll change forthwith the old conditions
And spurn the dust to win the prize

Then comrades come rally and the last fight let us face
The Internationale unites the human race
Then comrades come rally and the last fight let us face
The Internationale unites the human race

 

INTERNATIONALE (FRENCH)

Debout les damnés de la terre!
Debout les forçats de la faim
La raison tonne en son cratère
C’est l’éruption de la fin
Du passé faisons table rase
Foule esclave debout, debout
Le monde va changer de base
Nous ne sommes rien soyons tout

C’est la lutte finale, groupons-nous et demain
L’Internationale sera le genre humain
C’est la lutte finale, groupons-nous et demain
L’Internationale sera le genre humain