Chants Encounter
We’ve all been on a march, protest or a demonstration….
1st Person: I hav….
Me: Not so fast sunshine….
Or, we’ve all seen a march, protest or a demonstration (or demo for those in the industry), on the telly and heard the protest chants.
What is a protest chant?
“Protest chants can be an expression of solidarity and freedom….” — A Rhythm of Popular Unity: The Rhythms of Protest Chants, Maayan Tsadka, Haifa University
The rest of the quote actually goes, “….yet they can be (and have been) used for controlling and oppressing people.” However, that would be totally unhelpful right now.
So, something else protest chants can be is a shortened version of the complete, well, chant, a sort of radio edit of a full-length version.
Let’s have a look at some popular protest chants and reveal their full versions shall we?
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!
Full version:
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, with Israelis and Palestinians, living in harmony!
However, there is another alternative full version that is chanted by a very very small minority:
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, this intimidates some Jews, which I enjoy you see!
Get up! Get down!
There’s a students’ movement in this town!
Full version:
Get up! Get down!
There’s a students’ movement in this town!
Mainly selling Rag mags
Drinking, vaping, smoking fags
No more coal, no more oil, keep your carbon in the soil!
Full version:
No more coal, no more oil, keep your carbon in the soil!
Asking me what trainers I wear, proves you don’t fucking care
….about the environment.
Divest now, divest now!
Full version:
Divest now, divest now!
Should’ve done some research, regretting it now
Should’ve found a Uni, that didn’t invest in arms
Swayed by Student life here, and Student Union charms
Shame on you! Shame on you!
Full version:
Shame on you! Shame on you!
You stink you pong smell, of, poo!
All my mates agree with me
So, should, you!
We all live in a police state!
Alternative version:
We all live in a police estate!
This is simply a poor graspings of the English language.
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