In today's divided world, where are the universal anthems?
Pete Lawrence
This Is The Fire
There is a sense that new songs of hope and empowerment are needed more than ever, when we consider the impact of classics such as 'We Shall Overcome', 'This Land Is Your Land', 'Blowin' in the Wind' and 'If I Had a Hammer'.
These weren't just soundtracks to activism; they were tools of resistance, uniting voices in community, on marches and at gatherings. The voices of hope, justice, connection and vision were led by the likes of Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Joan Baez, The Weavers and Peter, Paul and Mary — and we're still singing their anthems now.
Even before the current wave of interest in protest music, sparked in part by the Bob Dylan biopic, I was thinking, could we be on the verge of a new era of communal singing?
In an age marked by division and disconnection, collective singing is more vital than ever. It reminds us of what it means to be human: to raise our voices in harmony, to listen deeply, to come together around a shared vision.
Much empowerment — both individually and collectively — has come from building community and facilitating an environment where optimism can flourish and where social change can happen. That is the primary focus of my first album in two decades, a community-powered record that is bringing together songs of hope, of inspiration, of protest, of heart connection and of universal love.
It's worth remembering that moments of change are often fuelled by song.
Why am I doing this? Because I wholeheartedly believe in the power of music to change the way we see the world, and because I am really excited by the new songs I have written. They are songs designed to be sung in community, some of which we have already unveiled at our Campout gatherings.
As Brian Eno famously said, "Singing together is the key to world peace." There is an indefinable quality to the buzz we can all feel when in glorious song with others, each playing our part but creating harmony together. It's a great starting point in establishing common ground — imagining the changes we need to be making to find hope and inspiration through connection, and through finding our voices, individually and collectively.
Protest music comes from the heart and the times we live in. We need to reinstate songs which provide a visceral response. Reclaim the 'Kumbaya' spirit, take it back from the cynics, and dream a new world into being through song.
The perfect antidote to a fragmented world.