Sedition Law by King Radio

Описание: Probably my favorite old calypso tune, "sedition Law" was recorded in New York City by King Radio (Norman Span) around the time of strikes in Trinidad's oil fields. As might be obvious, the artist's song wasn't released on his native island until the 1940s.

This copyright free song isn't available anywhere on Youtube, so I put together a slide show of activism in Minnesota, largely as an exercise in learning to match & sync music and image. It seemed a decent snapshot of the vitality of community and labor activists in the state and I hope people enjoy it.

Here are the lyrics in one place:

Sedition Law
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Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 11:00am | Edit Note | Delete
by King Radio

Believe, I'm warning the rich and poor
Be careful, friends today, from this seditious law
Believe, I'm warning the rich and poor
Be careful, friends today, from this seditious law
If you talk without defense, you have no evidence
They mean to license we mouth, they don't want we talk

A fellow was charged for that offense
And his lawyer couldn't break down the evidence
Because the jurors' decision that he was guilty
But the judge really acted with sympathy
I mean, by giving him two years in custody

I agree with any man who speaking for their rights
But you cannot say everything what you like
There's certain things would affect the authority
Who has the strength and the force in this colony
And, when you get the blow, in the jail you'll walk

You want to be versed in politics
I mean, you got to be cocky with a lot of tricks
First, you got to use a little diplomacy
Mix up with common sense and psychology
And, when you get the blow, not only talk
They mean to license we mouth we foot, they don't want we walk**

Politics improving our native land
We lectured and preached by women and men
But you gotta know, friends, what you talking about
As you're sure to pay damn dear for your mouth
So, if you know you can't use the knife and fork
They mean to license we mouth, they don't want we talk.