Song Of The Day

Song of the day

(do you want the history of your favorite folk song? dm me or submit an ask and I'll do a full rundown)

"Joshua" Odetta, 1956

"Joshua fit De Battle Of Jericho" is an encredibly old song created by african enslaved people in America sometime prior to the Civil War. Like many Old Testament songs in black gospel music, it alludes to a longing for freedom and victory against persecution. The song was first recorded in 1922 by Harrod's Jubilee singers,

and in 1925 by Paul Robeson.

the combination of this historic freedom song, the emerging civil rights movement, and the "Queen of Folk" (dubbed by Martin Luther King Jr.) lead to the best possible cover of this song by Odetta.

Hi, can I suggest "I had to shoot that rabbit" by Tom Paxton? Thanks!

suggested song history

"I Had to Shoot That Rabbit "

Tom Paxton, 1971

This song was first written in 1968 and then recorded in 1971 by Tom Paxton as the first track on his "How Comes The Sun" album

While this is one of 3 rabbit songs he's recorded, it doesn't have any history or basis as a traditional folk song. It was entirely written and composed by Tom Paxton. This album and the one after it in 1972 did not do well. These Albums also sound very different from the rest of his music, because during this time he was experimenting with elements of folk rock and baroque folk; trying to combine British folk with American jazz and blues. I like these Albums, but Tom Paxton said he wanted to return to a more traditional folk sound.

This song could be a criticism of war or maybe violence? It feels similar to anti-Vietnamwar songs at the time. It's definitely saying something. it also reminds me a lot of this Pete Seeger song "Last Train to Nuremberg", released the same year.

There are literally no covers of this song and barely any information about it and its album, it's a nice song so I hope it gets more attention someday.

phil ochs, broadside magazine #36 Dec. 1963

Song of the day

"Talking Wheelchair Blues" written by Fred Small 1983, performed by Peggy Seeger 1992

Orinally written and performed by Fred Small, "Talking Wheelchair Blues" is incredibly important as a song for the emerging disability rights movement. I'ts funny, charming, clever, and well written. this song is very special to me as it is one of the shockingly few songs that advocate for disability rights, and it's covered by one of my favorite artists of all time, Peggy Seeger, who does a wonderful rendition of it.

"See, we're all the same, this human race.

Some of us are called disabled. And the rest--

Well, the rest of you are just temporarily able-bodied"

i love archives so much you don't even get it. always in my off time i am combing through digital archives for photos and books, literally whenever i can. i love archives i love libraries!! yippee i say!

from "People's Songs" newsletter, may 1947, vol. 4