Saturday,20th May, 10.00h: Song, (intro's to follow) are:
Liz Hodgson knows what to practise with you when she takes two rehearsals
before Levellers Day - that's 24th April and 8th May.
We won't meet on 1st May which is a Bank Holiday. Liz is not available
on 15th May so you'll have to run that rehearsal yourselves
and go through as many of the songs as possible. Liz will be there on
Levellers Day. She's looking forward to working with you - remember,
she was the founder of the group!
To discuss: holidays after Levellers see Holidays
after Easter page
Booklets for words for songs.
1): Levellers
song book as Word doc
or 2): same document as double sided booklet consisting of two pdf files,
one for odd
numbers; one for even
numbers being the front and the
back pages;
Songs in alphabetical order:
1. Bella ciao
2. Chartist Anthem
3. Climate sceptic (to the tune of 'What shall we do with the drunken
sailor)
4. Fight the cuts (to the tune of 'Rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham)
5. La lega (as per the song-book)
6. Never turning back (words as per the song-book)
7. Oh a revolution now (to the tune of 'A drop o' Nelson's blood)
8. Singing for our lives (as per the song-book - verses chosen ad lib)
9. Siyahamba (as per the song-book)
10. Tom Paine's Bones - Words as per the song-book, but the verses sung
in unison by all, and the chorus in harmony.
11. Transition Town Medley
12. We will fight on (listed to the tune of Amen Siakudumisa/Masiti)
13. Which side are you on (as per song-book, maybe pitched a tone lower)
1. Bella ciao
Here are some suggested verses from different sources, covering different
issues:
a. We are singing for peace and freedom,
O Bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
We are singing for peace and freedom, And we'll not be silenced now.
b. We are singing for education, O Bella ciao......
We are singing for education, everybody's right to learn.
c. We need to wake up, we need to rise up,
We need to open up our eyes and do it now, now, now,
We need to build a better future and we need to start right now.
d. No point in waiting or hesitating,
We must get wise, take no more lies, and do it now, now, now,
We need to build a better future, And we need to start right now.
2. Chartist Anthem
In order to hear the tune, either put some women on it, or transpose
the whole song to within a range that sopranos can sing the tune.
3. Climate sceptic (to the tune of 'What shall we do
with the drunken sailor)
Chorus (harmony)
What can you do with a climate sceptic (x3)
If they won’t shut up?
Verses (unison)
1. Tie up their assets in coastal property (x3)
Rising expectations!
Chorus….
2. Put ‘em in a desert and ration their water (x3)
We’ll see how they like it!
Chorus….
3. Take ‘em to the Arctic and make ‘em tread water (x3)
‘Mongst the polar bears!
Chorus….
4. Lock ‘em in a room with nothing but money (x3)
See what good it does them!
Chorus….
5. Make ‘em explain to their children’s children (x3)
(very slowly) Why they didn’t care.
4. Fight the cuts (to the tune of 'Rock my soul in
the bosom of Abraham: see a rhythmic version at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg3d0g6IPQI
Some voices hold a long sustained note during each verse, to add a bit
of interest!
Fight the cuts, they mustn't get away with it (x3)
Fight, fight the cuts.
Tax the rich and make them pay for it (x3)
Tax, tax the rich.
We want change and we're singing today for it (x3)
We, we want change.
5. La lega (as per the song-book)
6 . Never turning back (words as per the song-book)
Parts distributed to suit voices: Sopranos singing the top line, Altos
singing the second line, an octave lower, Bass singing the bass line
7 . Oh a revolution now (to the tune of 'A drop o'
Nelson's blood)
Some voices hold a long sustained note during the chorus, and harmony
ad lib!
1 a revolution now wouldn't do us any harm
2 a change of government
3 to cancel Brexit now
4 to fund the NHS
5 an alliance of the left.
Oh a revolution now wouldn't do us any harm (x 3)
And we're leading from behind.
Chorus
A change of government (x 3)
And we're leading from behind.
Other phrases: see above
8. Singing for our lives (as per the song-book - verses
chosen ad lib)
9. Siyahamba (as per the song-book)
10. Tom Paine's Bones
Words as per the song-book, but the verses sung in unison by all, and
the chorus in harmony.
11. Transition Town Medley
a. We’ll dig the soil and plant our seeds,
We’ll dig the soil and plant our seeds,
We wanna eat a local diet, We’ll dig the soil and plant our seeds!
(Tune: Oh When the Saints)
b. Windmills and solar power, Coming forth to power my home,
Windmills and solar power, Coming forth to power my home.
(Tune: Swing Low Sweet Chariot)
c. Take the train, train, train, Take the bus, bus, bus,
Take the train, take the bus, Ride your bike,
When the aeroplanes are gone I’ll stop singing you this song,
Take the train, take the bus, Ride your bike!
(Tune: I’m Gonna Sing)
12. We will fight on (to the tune of Amen Siakudumisa/Masiti)
a. Top/echo voice: We'll fight on
We will fight on against the cuts (x2)
We will fight on (x2)
We will fight on against the cuts
b Top/echo voice: We won't pay
We will not pay the bankers debts x2
We will not pay x2
We will not pay the bankers debts
c Top/echo voice: The poorest
Why should the poorest foot the bill x2
Why should the poorest x2
Why should the poorest foot the bill x2
d Top/echo voice: The NHS
Wewill defend the NHS x2
We will defend x2
We will defend the NHS
13. Which side are you on (as per the song-book)