Actually the original tune is from Johnn I Hardley Knew Ye which is an Irish anti-war song about the Soldiers from Athy (in Ireland) who were made to fight in the East India Trade Company and pre-dates the American Civil War.
Thanks I didn’t know that ,it’s a fantastic tune . I used to pogo to it in the late 70’s ,I’m 60 now and it still wants me to pogo 😊 Regards Dave from Scotland
The tune for "there is power in a union" is from a US Civil War song titled "Battle Cry of Freedom" written in the 1860s. Bragg's lyrics are also a riff off that song: "The Union forever! Hurrah, boys, hurrah! Down with the traitor, up with the star; While we rally round the flag, boys, rally once again Shouting the battle cry of freedom" The "English Civil War" is a take off of "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" also written in the US in the1860s though some think it has Irish origins
Gonna put forward an old idea here. Don't know anything about Bill, but, it's the message that's important not the messenger. PEACE ALL. Just listen it's free wisdom!
Ok, lets get this shit sorted out once and for all, THIS song and others like sweet chariot and MANY other songs (that for some reason people think are irish ) were ENGLISH Protestant interpretations of the changes that where occurring during the ENGLISH Reformation (I.E THE LEVERS THE SHAKERS etc...), Which were the taken up by the ENGLISH settlers who then created what is now known as the US which is fair enough. But what gets me is when OTHERS get away by stealing what is not theirs.TRUTH
Wasn't this a originally "When Johnny (or Billy) Marches Coming Home Again" ie an American Civil War song? Bragg likes American themes. The "Union Forever" was also about the US Civil War. Just wondering.
Possibly might've been better without Billy Bragg though - he buggered up on his first strum of the guitar, missed the beat. Not good when playing with a band as tight as the Levellers.
R.I.P JOE STRUMMER
and forever long live BILLY
Probably the best cover of a Clash song I've heard, nice.
Actually the original tune is from Johnn I Hardley Knew Ye which is an Irish anti-war song about the Soldiers from Athy (in Ireland) who were made to fight in the East India Trade Company and pre-dates the American Civil War.
Thanks I didn’t know that ,it’s a fantastic tune .
I used to pogo to it in the late 70’s ,I’m 60 now and it still wants me to pogo 😊
Regards
Dave from Scotland
I loved the original - one of the first 7" discs I bought. Have to say this is a fantastic cover - The Levellers and Billy have me totally won over
This song is a *compilation* of three different civil wars!
best version by a million miles ....superb
Awesome Clash cover. RIP Joe!
This version kicks ass!! Brilliant!
Best band ever no competion.
Love you Alberta soon you free....
makes you a proud Brit this! Seen the Levs live so many times, always great, even at Hereford ;)
just as i remember the best never changes
dam straight ... :) never too young or old to like good music i reckon bx
Fight fore freedom Alberta Canada..
Mega version
The Clash only !
Outstanding.... 👌
best song ever!
Absolutely GREAT performance!
this is just WOW
Excellent
jeez, didnt think this was 5 years ago, in the front row, awesome end to and awesome festival. off again in two weeks!!!
Fucking Yeah !!
Killer, loving it! Raw
great -
Brilliant cover!
THE CLASH!
Great!!
Superb performance!
me and my wife were there Love you Joe RIP
The tune for "there is power in a union" is from a US Civil War song titled "Battle Cry of Freedom" written in the 1860s. Bragg's lyrics are also a riff off that song:
"The Union forever! Hurrah, boys, hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the star;
While we rally round the flag, boys, rally once again
Shouting the battle cry of freedom"
The "English Civil War" is a take off of "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" also written in the US in the1860s
though some think it has Irish origins
They're all crap .The English language is from England so do one septic
It is :)
OMG!
we are going to beautiful days next week carnt wait
Very sad Strummer is de3a. If everyone was like him wow.... dream on
Thanks billy for keeping the spitit alive
i was looking for the clashes and i found this!
i have no idea who he is..
but it is awesome
not better than the clashes but close!
Great, same level than Clash version! I like it!
Sincerly yours
Finnish Civil War
Gonna put forward an old idea here. Don't know anything about Bill, but, it's the message that's important not the messenger. PEACE ALL. Just listen it's free wisdom!
Fuck me, this is amazing
Ok, lets get this shit sorted out once and for all, THIS song and others like sweet chariot and MANY other songs (that for some reason people think are irish ) were ENGLISH Protestant interpretations of the changes that where occurring during the ENGLISH Reformation (I.E THE LEVERS THE SHAKERS etc...), Which were the taken up by the ENGLISH settlers who then created what is now known as the US which is fair enough. But what gets me is when OTHERS get away by stealing what is not theirs.TRUTH
they played it look at the Clash - English civil war
Fucking amazing, why have i never heard this I'm fookin 57.shit
Just great,, Oi,, Oi
i must admit that this version rock also..
I love the clash but I doubt if they played this better, at any gig.
What? No "ALRIGHT!!"?
Wasn't this a originally "When Johnny (or Billy) Marches Coming Home Again" ie an American Civil War song? Bragg likes American themes. The "Union Forever" was also about the US Civil War. Just wondering.
i like this version best but i heard this before i heard the clash version am too young to like the clash
Nope, it's an English Civil War song...I think...
It's also the tune to the 'Animals/Ants Went Marching Two by Two'
No, it's the wrong beat, notes, tune to be 'Battle Hymn of the Republic.'
the levellers are class
Middle class
Try 28 years ago on cassette
hahahah. I know, I was dissapointed by that too. lol.
i was there my uncle owns the music festival
I was a Punk be for you….(tubes)
What do you reckon there was no real rehearsal for this? Just like: Billy, ya know the chords right? 'course ya do. Alright we're on in ten.
Hes talentless the prick cant sing for shit
What did you pay? How many days were you in the military?
when was this?
It's the traditional 'Battle Hymn of the Republic", crap morals great tune.
Its Canadas Last stand… now….
Actually I find the song's politics rather incomprehensible. But the music ROCKS!
Possibly might've been better without Billy Bragg though - he buggered up on his first strum of the guitar, missed the beat. Not good when playing with a band as tight as the Levellers.