Labor History: Bread and Roses Critique - Essay Example

ESSENCE OF MUSIC Introduction The first video is en d “Labor History: Bread and Roses.” The song is linked to the textile industrial action in Lawrence, Massachusetts between January to March in the year 1912, often referred to as the "Bread and Roses strike." The industrial action, which involved mass unison from dozens of immigrants under the autocracy and dictatorship of the Industrial Workers of the World, was largely encompassed of women ring leaders. The emotional setup and the rhythmic sad tone in the song affirms the oppressions the strikers. This historical strike was crafted by the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and was largely voiced by immigrant women. A quick probe to the historical analysis of the song unravels that The American Federation of Labor (AFL), coupled with the United Textile Workers (UTW) attempted to bar the strike but were overpowered by the “rank-and-file employees” altogether with their chosen immigrant leaders. However, the sole objective of this paper is to screen the reasons why the song is worth recalling for decades. First its theme is special and outstanding. The organizers who executed the strike had deployed the song as a transfer media of airing their labour woes. In a world that is having mushrooming of vast labour outcries, this song remains a pillar to rest on by recalling its overall agenda. The song has a melancholic mood and rhythmic flow coupled with several repetitions of the stanza “As we come marching, marching” which seem to announce the unanticipated uproar which stormed the air that fateful day. Part of the song sings, “Yes, it is bread we fight for — but we fight for roses, too!” This seems to highlight the core outcries of the strikers. It can be felt throughout the song that the victims had undergone dire torture and trauma. This seems to express sadly toned mood which leaves the listener at a sad deposition as well. The song advocates for a “better wages and a better world.” Through this, the reader empathises with the victims, and this strikes a memorable scope. The second video is entitled “Solidarity Forever” by Pete Seeger. This song was written in 1915 by Ralph Chaplin. The song is one of the most known popular union anthems. The original tune of this song is sung to the tune and rhythm of "John Browns Body" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". Although this song was originally scripted for the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), contemporaneous vast union movements, like the AFL-CIO, have picked over the song as their private authentic piece. The song was meant to be presented on the hunger industrial action on 15th January, 1915. The key aspects that make this song a decade reminder in vast many years to come commence with its deep reverberating theme, and the bolt struck commanding voice. The Preamble of the song commences with a sharp chipping in of a classic two-class analysis aiming at airing the concern about capitalism: "The working class and the employing class have nothing in common." According to this song, “the class struggle” aims at striving for labors rights until the “labor rights” are reclaimed, redeemed and the “war” is won. The industrial action chants: "Between these two classes a struggle must go on until the workers of the world organize as a class, take possession of the earth and the machinery of production, and abolish the wage system." The prologue of the song discredits and castigates trade unions as unable to withstand the influence of the employing category. By demanding for an urgent negotiating agreement, the prologue asserts that the trade unions misdirected workers by highlighting an impression that the employees have common interests with the employers. The prologue urges the employees to craft an organization of all "members in any one industry, or in all industries". In addition, the prologue expounds, "Instead of the conservative motto, A fair days wage for a fair days work, we must inscribe on our banner the revolutionary watchword, Abolition of the wage system." These assertions affirm the syndicalism portrayed by the IWW as they opposed participation in electoral politics: "by organizing industrially we are forming the structure of the new society within the shell of the old". The overall outlook of the prologue is embodied in "Solidarity Forever," is highlighted in the 4th and the 5th stanzas, which offers an ethical justification for the workers claim to "all the world." This song remains a memorable piece due to its sound message which presents a logical employees outcry through labor unions. The third video is entitled “Down in the Coal Mine Underneath the Ground.” The song is melodious and perfectly done. Anyone admires a nicely done song. The first core reason why this song is worth a listen many years into its future is the ingeniously crafted lyrics. The composer was careful enough to include the various stylistic elements that add to the aesthetic beauty of the song. For instance, the script writer adds alliteration, rhyme and repetition to enhance the emphasis and the message of the song. For instance, the script writer uses rhyme in these lyrics by using rhythmical words such as “ground…found…round”. “Down in the coalmine, underneath the ground…Where a gleam of sunshine never can be found…Digging up the dusky diamonds all the season round.” The overall aesthetic beauty of the song is added by the message which promotes the ethical stand of work. The song sounds more of a motivator to employees in a large cotton farm. An additional feature which proves that this song is an ancient hit is the close calculated words. I couldn’t pause my attention listening to the sweet message and the matching words. The message sank through me and stuck into my memory long enough. I can almost “hear” the musical flow reverberating within my mind hours after listening to it. It goes without saying that this was one of the best songs the Irish ballads sang. The fourth video is entitled “Let my people go” often quoted as “Go down Moses.” The song is simply a liberty voice seeking release from slavery and torture. The song seems as a pledge or a plea to “Moses” to commence his delivery mission and save the masses. The song "Go Down Moses" is an American Negro accord which expounds on the occurrences described in the Biblical Old Testament, specifically Exodus 8:1: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me", in which God bestows the mandate of deliverance to Moses so that He may set forth to release Israelites from the Egypt bondage. The song expresses melancholic mood throughout its stanzas. The song is expressing the sad agony that is being unleashed to the “victims of slavery” which are metaphorically being referred to as “Israelites.” The song seems like a call to show empathy to the oppressed. In other words, the victims of the slavery are seeking liberation from the rough unfair treatment from their oppressors who seem to be exercising autocracy and authoritarianism. The listeners of the song can feel the sad tone and the melancholic mood sweeping through their emotions. It is clear that the script writer knew how to compile a short poem and transform it into a liberty song worth a listen. The song lingers long enough to transcend vast decades. The song will go down in history as a short piece of art that voiced the agony of the oppressed. The last video is entitled “Peter, Paul and Mary - Blowin in the Wind.” The first symbol that struck me when I commenced watching it is the perfect set up. In addition, the intimacy between the performers and the audience is exceptional. As a matter of fact, the audience sings in response to the singer. As the singer sings part of the song, the audience is faithful enough to complete the rest of the lyrics. It is evident that the song unnerves the audience since most of the members in the audience are in tears. That sends the impression to the observer that the song must be extremely melancholic. In addition, the rhythmic beats are simply perfect and geniously matched with both the message, the performance and the tempo. In addition, the excellent guitarists add an aesthetic beauty to the song. I adored the zeal, passion and the energy expressed by the performers. In terms of the message of the song, the outstanding staunch stand to condemn wars and death to humanity is unquestionably perfectly placed. The song “Blowin in the Wind" was scripted by Bob Dylan in 1962. Even though many have termed it as a protest song, “it poses a series of rhetorical questions about peace, war and freedom”. As the prologue asserts, "The answer (to those vast questions), my friend, is blowin in the wind." The prologue simply implies that the response to the many queries posed throughout this song is as “intangible as the wind." I love the ending of the performance too as the audience applauds the performers. It is undoubtedly true that the song was worth a listen. REFERENCES YouTube,. Labor History: Bread And Roses. N.p., 2015. Web. 9 Dec. 2015. YouTube,. Solidarity Forever - Pete Seeger. N.p., 2015. Web. 9 Dec. 2015. YouTube,. Down In The Coal Mine Underneath The Ground. N.p., 2015. Web. 9 Dec. 2015. YouTube,. Let My People Go. N.p., 2015. Web. 9 Dec. 2015. YouTube,. Peter, Paul And Mary - Blowin In The Wind (25Th Anniversary Concert). N.p., 2015. Web. 9 Dec. 2015. Read More