It is supposed that the protest song has the purpose to inspire its audience to pay attention to the situation outlined in the song, perhaps with a call for direct action or support 'the cause'. During the Industrial Revolution, dehumanising working conditions and low wages were a common theme, the 1920s and 30s union songs championing workers’ rights were popular, the 60s hilighted the civil rights movement, the Vietnam war, and environmental awareness.

They often relate to political and social issues and may be associated with a movement for social change. The subjects addressed by the protest song often come into the category of current affairs and so tend to have relevance limited in time and place. The term 'protest song' first gained wide usage in the 1960s as a description of popular anti-war songs by artists such Bob Dylan and Joan Baez who may have been influenced by earlier civil rights songs particularly those of Pete Seegar. Note that some of the songs have more that one version reflecting variations in arrangement lyrics or key.Įssentially a protest song is one that expresses disapproval or complaint, commonly about a perceived injustice, immorality or bad circumstance. Some writers have been very prolific with this type of song, and Bob Dylan, Pete Seegar and Phil Ochs stand out as the masters of the genre but you will also find many others, some surprising, as authors and performers of the protest song. THIS SONG COLLECTION probably includes all the best know protest songs ever, most of these songs include lyrics with chords marked, some also include tab and a few have lyrics only.

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