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Are Protest Songs Politically Effective? Essay examples

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In a dictionary the word ‘protest’ is explained as “an expression or declaration of objection, disapproval, or dissent, often in opposition to something a person is powerless to prevent or avoid” (dictionary.com, n.d.). As definitions have to be written in a formal style and to make sure they are often is used mitigation. In this case words (like ‘expression of disapproval’) also seem to imply that protest is a harmless action. In the reality though if talking about protest the most common associations would be about mass demonstrations, pickets, strikes or even blood and violence and no wonder as in most of the cases it really involves all of those things. As an example it is worth to mention recent riots taking place in London and …show more content…

Exactly there Pete Seeger discovered the song and by phasing in some changes turned it to a most popular protest song. “Seeger’s influence on “We Shall Overcome” was not simply artistic – he also helped to direct the song toward the developing civil right movement where it would have a seismic impact on American culture as a whole” (Phull, H., 2008). The song has a perfect structure for a protest song, it has a simple melody that it is easy to everyone sing along and lyrics involves quite small amount of words which also repeats most of the time so it is easier to memorize and also create new verses. The climax for the song as a protest song was during civil war especially at ‘1963 when it was not only copyrighted but also became the most famous protest song in America. (Lynskey, D., 2010)’ The song was so powerful that it was translated to several other languages by customizing some lyrics to the happening issue and used in liberation movements around the world. Guy Carawan, a folksinger and one of the copyright owners for the song said: “As it passed through different campaigns it tended to take on the cultural flavour of each area. In Albany, Georgia, it took on a new beat and some additional decorations. In Birmingham it was given a gospel feeling. You ask about a “final version” and I don’t think actually think there is one.” (quoted by Lynskey,

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