The Chartist Anthem - Windborne
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- čas přidán 4. 11. 2020
- A hundred years, a thousand years
We're marching on the road
The going isn't easy yet, we've got a heavy load
We've got a heavy load
In the 1830-40s in the United Kingdom, the Chartists rose up as a working class, grassroots movement calling for voting rights. The demands in The People's Charter include tenets we now consider to be the foundation of modern democracy, such as the right to a secret ballot, and in a time before cars, telephones, and the internet, the Chartists delivered over a million signatures in support of their demands to Parliament in giant wagons. Their movement, however, was unsuccessful in its own time and most of the leaders died never having seen the things they fought for come to pass. Almost two centuries later, however, we take for granted that these rights are part of democracy.
For us, this song speaks to the importance of fighting for things beyond ones own lifetime, and fighting for what is right, not just what is politically expedient. Now in 2020, when our democracy feels balanced on the brink of collapse and we are marching to demand each vote be counted, this sentiment is more important than ever.
This song appears on Windborne's album SONG ON THE TIMES, available via our website windbornesingers.com
THE CHARTIST ANTHEM
Melody: Ben Boucher
Arranged by Windborne
Words: Ben Boucher, Ernest Jones
A hundred years, a thousand years,
we're marching on the road
The going isn't easy yet,
we've got a heavy load
we've got a heavy load
The way is blind with blood and sweat,
and death sings in our ears
But time is marching on our side,
we will defeat the years,
we will defeat the years.
We men of bone of shrunken shank,
our only treasure dearth,
Women who carry at their breast
Heirs to the hungry earth,
Heirs to the hungry earth
But yet a strain is sounding loud
In music fresh and clear
And the nation’s heart is beating proud
That glorious sound to hear
That glorious sound to hear
Speak with one voice, we march,
we rest, and march again upon the years
Sons of our sons are listening
To hear the Chartist cheers
To hear the Chartists cheers
This performance was part of A Christmas Celtic Sojourn 2018 at the Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston, MA (footage courtesy of GBH)
Hosted by Brian O'Donovan and featuring Hannah Rarity, Maeve Gilchrist, The Fretless, Natalie Haas, Brenda Castles, Seamus Eagan, Owen Marshall, Chico Huff, and Ben Wittman
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WindborneSingers.com • / windborne
FB.com/WindborneSingers • IG: @WindborneSingers • Spotify: sptfy.com/Windborne - Hudba
So many songs for progressive change are driven by optimism and positivity in the face of overwhelming suppression. What I love about the Chartist anthem is that it feels much more like what a collective struggle is: a stoic determination against all odds, knowing that if they keep fighting, their day will come.
I'm a British/Canadian trade unionist. I feel like I should have something pithy to say but I don't. You've given a fresh voice to a noble chapter of my history, from which I for one take great courage. Bravo!
Thanks so much! The Chartist movement is so inspiring and there is so much great music from it too!
Just shared this on FaceBook with this comment.
The fight for progressive freedom is not yet over. It has just begun.
We agree 100%
I would like to thank you for being so complete in your video descriptions - program notes, lyrics, and artist credits?! YAS!!
So! Powerful! Beautiful and rousing!
Wow, what a lineup.
Wow. Just found them via tiktok
Now I know they are real x
We are real! :) Thanks for finding us here too
You are amazzzing
Love it! This was the song that braught me here! The song is very Fitting for the current state of the election, by chance?^^
That’s what inspired us to share it right now :)
Cool song, but the chartists were heavily active in Wales as well as in England as your description says. You probably mean the UK rather than just England?