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| Connie L. Braun |
Globally, Woody Guthrie stands out as a seminal figure in folk music, using his songs to address social injustices and legal issues. His iconic song This Land Is Your Land, a song that many of us know well, critiques the concept of private property and advocates for communal ownership, reflecting the legal struggles of the working class during the Great Depression. Guthrie’s music often highlighted the plight of marginalized communities, challenging the legal systems that oppressed them. Substituting specific geographic and cultural references, this song has been transformed into an anthem performed around the world in many languages focusing on local histories, rights, identities and resistance.
In North America, we start with Pete Seeger, a close friend and one-time roommate of Woody Guthrie. Pete became a pivotal force in folk music, using his art to advocate for civil rights and social justice. We Shall Overcome (this performance occurring in Berlin) became an international anthem for the civil rights movement, symbolizing the struggle for equality and justice. Seeger’s music often addressed themes of peace, labour rights and environmental issues, challenging the legal systems that perpetuated inequality.
Performing for more than 60 years, Joan Baez continues to be a powerful advocate for civil rights and social justice. Her song Birmingham Sunday addresses the 1963 bombing of a church in Birmingham, Alabama, highlighting racial injustice and the need for legal reform. Baez’s music and activism have consistently challenged societal norms and legal systems, motivating and advocating for equality.
Neil Young has been a prominent voice in using folk music to address environmental and social issues. After the Gold Rush reflects on environmental degradation and the need for sustainable practices, critiquing the legal and corporate systems that contribute to ecological harm. Young’s activism extends beyond his music, as he has been involved in various campaigns advocating for environmental protection and Indigenous rights. And, along the way, he has inspired musicians globally while pushing his own musical boundaries.
Throughout Europe, folk music has long served as a medium for storytelling and social commentary. Many traditional ballads and folk narratives served as informal legal records, especially in communities where formal legal systems were distant or distrusted.
In Spain, Romance del Prisionero details the fate of an accused individual and serves as a record of local judicial proceedings. The Murder of Maria Marten is a well-known English murder ballad recounting the tragic case of Maria Marten and the subsequent punishment of her killer. Ireland boasts a legendary tradition of ballads and protest songs touching on themes of legal injustice including songs such as The Fields of Athenry.
Catalan and Basque traditions have rich musical histories that incorporate legal and political commentary through oral traditions, spontaneous performances and regional variants. Folk songs in Scandinavia, Germany and Italy tend to focus on recounting local disputes and community interactions with the evolving legal system or when legal institutions were inaccessible. In Romania, Poland and the Balkans, ballads preserve shared accounts of how justice was administered in times of conflict.
In Chile, Violeta Parra’s folk music became a powerful tool for social change. Her song Gracias a la Vida celebrates life while subtly critiquing the socio-political landscape of her country. Parra’s work often addressed themes of inequality and injustice, challenging the legal structures that perpetuated these issues. Her influence extended beyond music, inspiring a generation of artists to use their voices for social justice by covering her songs or writing and performing their own.
Miriam Makeba, also known as “Mama Africa,” was a South African singer and civil rights activist who used her music to fight against apartheid and racial injustice. Her performance of Soweto Blues, composed by Hugh Masekela, addresses the Soweto uprising and the brutal response of the apartheid regime. Makeba’s music and activism brought international attention to the struggles in South Africa, advocating for legal and social change. Many other musicians in Africa advocate for legal and social change.
In Vietnam, contemporary folk singer Lê Cát Trọng Lý addresses social and legal issues through her music. Chênh Vênh explores themes of identity and belonging, considering the legal and social norms that restrict personal freedom, advocating for a more inclusive and equitable society. Similarly, Chyi Yu, a Taiwanese folk singer, has used her music, such as The Olive Tree, to explore societal norms advocating for a deeper understanding of cultural identity and belonging.
It is not difficult to see that folk music serves as a powerful vehicle for expressing legal and social concerns, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries. From anthems of justice to bold critiques of corruption everywhere, folk musicians have used their art to challenge legal systems and advocate for change. By continuing to explore the rich tapestry of folk music, we can persist in our efforts to expose the universal desire for justice and equality that resonates through these timeless songs.
Connie L. Braun is a product adoption and learning consultant with LexisNexis Canada.
The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s firm, its clients, Law360 Canada, LexisNexis Canada or any of its or their respective affiliates. This article is for general information purposes and is neither intended to be nor should be taken as legal advice.
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