Colleagues,Any self-respecting trade unionist knows at least of one song, poem, picture or general image that personifies the will and spirit of trade unionism.
For many, as for me, the song is The Ballad of Joe Hill. I've just recently been sorting/updating my collection of labour movement songs and was reminded of a great archive of labour songs that is maintained under the website of Labor Notes:
http://labornotes.org/2010/08/workers-world-awaken-theres-power-union
Whilst on the issue of cultural aspects of labour history, can I also suggest that you sign up for e-mail alerts from the Working Class Movement Library? Apart from being a world class labour movement resource, the WCML host a monthly series of talks, exhibitions, musicians etc. Although I can't always make the events I like to at least follow the range of artists that they are profiling:
http://www.wcml.org.uk/
Cheers!
Ian
7 comments:
It's been years since I have seen a reference to the working class library in Salford. I remember as a young activist having the great privilege of meeting the creators of the museum Ruth and Eddie Frow. I must make the effort to visit the place once again. Thanks for reminding me.
Thanks Ian,
Do you also use radio labourstart?
I find this a great source of labour movement song/information.
Alan
Thanks for the comments, really pleased to hear that the posted item raised the profile of the WCML and for promoting Radio LabourStart.
Ian
Sorry I've not been in touch for a while, very busy on the union front. As usual an interesting array of topics raised in the blog, keep up the good work!
Anything by Bruce Springsteen will do me as a labour song!
"Where is Joe Hill buried?
Everywhere."
Anyone who can do so should watch "Matewan". For me, the best film ever made on labour struggles.
Nice one, Ian, for directing the spotlight onto the cultural aspects of the movement.
Thanks Paul,
As you well know, we should all have listened to by now (or should be getting onto it asap) Paul Robeson's version of Joe Hill.
Ian
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