The Playgoer: Billy Bragg chimes in

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Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Billy Bragg chimes in

You know it's a "movement" when there's even a protest song.

From Brit bolshi balladeer Billy Bragg (via a tune by Dylan).

Everybody all together now!

The artistic director of a New York theatre
Cancelled a play based on Rachel's writings
But she wasn't a bomber or a killer or fighter
But one who acted in the spirit of the Freedom Riders
Is there no place for a voice in America
That doesn't conform to the Fox News agenda?

Link courtesy of the Guardian, who printed the lyrics to coincide with the West End opening. Talk about marketing the controversy! I wonder if Billy will play outside of the Playhouse theatre there on opening night.... or down here on East 4th Street?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, is any song better than no song at all? It does remind me a little of the kind of thing Country Joe McDonald writes about the joys of recycling.

Anonymous said...

You miss the best part of that lyric:

If America is truly the beacon of freedom
Then how can it stand by while they bring down the curtain
And turn Rachel Corrie into a non-person?

Indeed, Mr. Bragg. How can American playwrights stand by?