A Weekly Demonstration of Community:
Every Saturday at Noon in Rockland’s Chapman Park with The Audacity
Protest Song Library
Protest Song Library
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Are you with me (we're with you) today?
Are you with me (we're with you) today?
Because today we're going to make them see
America stands for democracy?
Oh are you with me (we're with you) today?Oh am I with you (you're with us!) today?
Oh do I see you (you see me!) today?
Because the human race is built on love
It's something to remind ourselves of
(all together)I choose to love you todayAre you with me (we're with you) today?
Are you with me (we're with you) today?
Because today we're going to make them see
America stands against bigotry?
Oh are you with me (we're with you) today?Are we with white folks (yes indeed)?
And what about brown folks (yes indeed)?
And every kind of folks that's every been (yes indeed)?
Well how about Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jews
Atheists and Wiccans too?
We're with you, we're with you, todayAre we with straight folks (yes indeed)?
And what about trans folks (yes indeed)?
And how about bi and lesbian and queer and questioning and intersex and pansexual and asexual and monogamous and polyamorous and relationship anarchist and cis and trans and fluid and nonbinary and questioning and in between and changing and growing people everywhere, including the ones that don't wash their hands often enough but also the ones that do? (yes indeed)
When we start drawing borders wide
We get that loving feeling inside
We are with all folks today— Written for The Audacity, February 2025
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Chords: G C D G
How many roads must a man walk down Before you call him a man? How many seas must a white dove sail Before she sleeps in the sand? Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind The answer is blowin' in the wind
Yes, and how many years must a mountain exist Before it is washed to the sea? And how many years can some people exist Before they're allowed to be free? Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head And pretend that he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind The answer is blowin' in the wind
Yes, and how many times must a man look up Before he can see the sky? And how many ears must one man have Before he can hear people cry? Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til he knows That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind The answer is blowin' in the wind
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Chorus:
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion!
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion!
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion!
The bedrock of democracy
(Repeat until they hear it in DC)
Video of The DEI Song being sung in Rockland, Maine:
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Die Gedanken Sind Frei, my thoughts freely flower
Die Gedanken Sind Frei, my thoughts give me power
No scholar can map them, no hunter can trap them
No one can deny, die Gedanken sind frei
No one can deny, die Gedanken sind frei
I think as I please, and this gives me pleasure
My conscience decrees this right I must treasure
My thoughts will not cater to duke or dictator
No one can deny, die Gedanken sind frei
No one can deny, die Gedanken sind frei
And should tyrants take me & throw me in prison
My thoughts will burst free like blossoms in season
Foundations will crumble & structures will tumble
And free folk will cry, “Die Gedanken sind frei!”
And free folk will cry, “Die Gedanken sind frei!”
— German folksong, English translation by Arthur Kevess, 1950
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(To the tune of Do-Re-Mi):
DOGE is here to make us FEAR
RAIDING data, firing staff
ME, I’d like to run away
FAR from all this MAGA graft
SO, let’s organize today
LAWS to serve the common good
TEACH ourselves how to engage
and to end the rule of
DOGE!
— Written by Shlomit Auciello
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To the tune of “Mama Don’t Allow”:
Donald don’t allow no [mobilizing] ‘round here
No Donald don’t allow no [mobilizing] ‘round here
Well I don’t care what Donald don’t allow
Gonna mobilize anyhow
Donald don’t allow no mobilizing ‘round here
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[To the tune of Michael Row the Boat Ashore]
Chorus: Donald Leave Our Rights Alone, We See Through You
Donald Leave Our Rights Alone, We See Through You
Verse: The lies are deep, the corruption is wide, We deplore you
And public opinion is on our side, We deplore youVerse: Our De-moc-ra-cy’s at stake, We abhor you
Our De-moc-ra-cy’s at stake, We abhor youVerse: Freedom lovers give a shout, We need more of you
Freedom lovers give a shout, We need more of youVerse: Freedom lovers stand your ground, hallelujah
Till the Orange One stands down, hallelujahAdapted from “Donald, Leave the White House Now” by Granny Carol and the Raging Grannies
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We who believe in freedom cannot rest
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
(Words and Music by Bernice Johnson Reagon)
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Get up, stand up
Stand up for your right
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your right
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your right
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fightOh, preacher man, don't tell me heaven is under the earth
I know you don't know what life is really worth
It's not all that glitter is gold, and half the story has never been told
So, now you see the light
You stand up for your rightGet up, stand up
Stand up for your right
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your right
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your right
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rightAnd I say, most people think that great God will come from the sky
Take away everything, and make everybody feel high
But if you know what life is worth
You would look for yours on earth
And now you see the light, I want you to stand up for your right, heyGet up, stand up
Stand up for your right
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fight
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your right
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fightWe're sick and tired of your bullshit game
To die and go to heaven in a Jesus' name
We know and we understand
Almighty God is a living man
You fool some people sometimes, yeah
But you can't fool all the people all the time
'Cause now we see the light
We gonna stand up for our rightGet up, stand up
Stand up for your right
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fight
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your right, yeah
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fightGet up, stand up
Stand up for your right
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fight
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your right
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fightGet up, stand up
Stand up for your right-Bob Marley
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Give me your tired, your poor
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
(words by Emma Lazarus, music by Irving Berlin)
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This morning I woke with tears at the truth they threw away
Violence hits you twice as hard if you’re lesbian or gay
Nearly three times as often if you’re trans
And almost seven times as often if you’re bi
But the report is gone, the truth is gone
I don’t wonder why
We all know why
And I’ve had enough
Bridge: And we all must recognize
That our different struggles are tied to one another
Have you had enough? (I’ve had enough)
Have you had enough? (I’ve had enough)
Have you had enough? (I’ve had enough)
Have you had enough? (I’ve had enough)
Will you love enough? (I’ll love enough)
Will you hope enough? (I’ll love enough)
Will you dig down enough? (I’ll dig down enough)
Will we do enough? (We’ll do enough)
Bridge: And we all must recognize
That our different struggles are tied to one another
So will you grow big enough? (Yes I will)
And will you grow strong enough? (Yes I will)
And will your love grow enough? (Yes it will)
And will our love show enough? (Yes it will)
Will we give together? (Yes we will)
Will we strive together? (Yes we will)
Will we survive together? (Yes we will)
Will we arrive together? (Yes we will)
I hope
How I hope
We will
Written by James Cook, March 2025 for The Audacity. Steal this song and use it!
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Hey, ho, Elon’s alone
No truth, no vote, no honor has he none
Still he’s got some money
(Sing as a round)
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(to the Tune of “I Won’t Grow Up” from Peter Pan)
(Choral Response in Parentheses)
I won’t give up (I won’t give up)
I will never budge an inch (I will never budge an inch)
For a wannabe dictator (For a wannabe dictator)
And a constipated grinch (And a constipated grinch)
If we gave up then we would see
The death of American democracy
I’ll never give up, never give up, never give up… not me!
I won't give up (I won’t give up)
I don't want to be a tool (I don’t want to be a tool)
Of a filthy rotten scoundrel (Of a filthy rotten scoundrel)
And his money grubbing ghouls (And his money grubbing ghouls)
You deal with him and in the end,
You’ll sacrifice your values and betray a friend
So I’ll never give up, never give up, never give up…
Not me, not me, not me, not me, not me, NOT ME!
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If I had a hammer, I’d hammer in the morning
I’d hammer in the evening, all over this land
I’d hammer out danger, I’d hammer out a warning
I’d hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land
If I had a bell, I’d ring it in the morning
I’d ring it in the evening, all over this land
I’d ring out out danger, I’d ring out a warning
I’d ring out love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land
If I had a song, I’d sing it in the morning
I’d sing it in the evening, all over this land
I’d sing out danger, I’d sing out a warning
I’d sing out love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land
Well I’ve got a hammer, and I’ve got a bell
And I’ve got a song to sing all over this land
It’s the hammer of justice, it’s the bell of freedom
It’s a song about love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land
— Lee Hays and Pete Seeger, 1958
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- To the tune of Yankee Doodle -
Oh Trump called in the governors
And tried to make them listen
But all he got was a great retort
From Janet Mills, who’s bitchin’!
All you Mainers keep it up
Hit them where it hurts most
Sue them, boycott, sing out loud
Until their might is burnt toast!
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No one is getting left behind this time.
No one is getting left behind.
No one it getting left behind this time.
We get there together or we never get there at all.
We get there together or we never get there at all.
We get there together or we never get there at all.
(by Joshua Blaine)
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Chorus:
You gotta put one foot in front of the other
and lead with love
Put one foot in front of the other
and lead with love
(x2)
Don’t give up hope!
You’re not alone
Don’t you give up
Keep movin’ on
Chorus
Lift up your eyes
Don’t you despair
Look up ahead
The path is there
Chorus
I know you’re scaredWell I’m scared too
But look at me
Right next to you
Chorus
(by Melanie DeMore)
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSTcFHyapG8&t=29s
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Oh, if you want democracy
All you have to do
Is go ask the President
And he will give it to you.
Yes, he will give it to you my friend
he will give it to you.
You can be free, just wait and see.
Oh, he will give it to you.
Oh, put it on the ground
Spread it all around
Dig it with a hoe
It will make your flowers grow!
— by Bill Glaser and Ray Wolff (lyrics modified by The Audacity)
Listen to the song as sung by The Audacity on March 1 2025: https://youtu.be/UzppPQVPYa8
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-To the tune of “Down by the RIverside”-
Gonna fight against autocracy
Right here in Rockland, Maine
Right here in Rockland, Maine
Right here in Rockland, Maine
Gonna fight against autocracy
Right here in Rockland, Maine
Right-here-in-Rock-land-Maine!
Verses: Gonna sing until we all are free…
We won’t give up until it’s done…
People power is loud and strong…
We won’t be silent anymore…
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We are a gentle, angry people
and we are singing, singing for our lives
We are a justice-seeking people
and we are singing, singing for our lives
We are young and old together
and we are singing, singing for our lives
We are a land of many colors
and we are singing, singing for our lives
We are gay and straight together
and we are singing, singing for our lives
We are a gentle, loving people
and we are singing, singing for our lives(by Holly Near)
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Step by step the longest march
Can be won, Can be won
Many stones can form an arch
Singly none, singly none
And in union what we will
Can be accomplished still
Drops of water turn a mill
Singly none, singly none
by Waldemar Hille and Pete Seeger
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Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin'
And you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
The battle outside ragin'
Will soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin'
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is rapidly fadin'
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin' -
We the people
In order to form a more perfect union
Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility
Provide for the common defense
Promote the general welfare and
Secure the blessings of liberty
To ourselves and our posterity
Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America— Lynn Ahrens for Schoolhouse Rock
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As I went walking I saw a sign there,
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
But on the other side it didn't say nothing.
That side was made for you and me.In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people,
By the relief office I seen my people;
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking
Is this land made for you and me?Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking that freedom highway;
Nobody living can ever make me turn back
This land was made for you and me.This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York island,
From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters;
This land was made for you and me. -
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Verse: I won’t let anyone put it out…
Verse: From Belfast down to Thomaston…
Verse: Standing for democracy…
Verse: They can’t keep me from singing…
The songwriter is unknown, but Zilphia Horton of the Highlander Folk School introduced the song to leaders of the Civil Rights Movement.
Hear Fannie Lou Hamer lead a group singing “This Little Light of Mine” on YouTube
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To the tune of “Waltzing Matilda”
Verse:
Once an angry con man sat inside a green room
Under two shades of foundation or three
And he sang as he watched and waited in the green room
“You’ll come a-waltzing with Elon and Me!”
Chorus:
Waltzing with Elon, waltzing with Elon
You’ll come a-waltzing with Elon and Me!
And he sang as he watched and waited in the green room
“You’ll come a-waltzing with Elon and Me!”
Verse:
Down came Susan Collins to hang around the green room
“I am concerned,” she declared weakly.
“Take a million dollars and climb into my tucker bag…
You’ll come a-waltzing with Elon and Me.”
Chorus:
Waltzing with Elon, waltzing with Elon
You’ll come a-waltzing with Elon and Me!
“Take another million and climb into my tucker bag…
You’ll come a-waltzing with Elon and Me!”
Verse:
Up jumped the con man and hoisted up his tucker bag
“We’ve got another” he cried with glee
To the drug-addled man-child who hopped beside his tucker bag
“She’ll come a-waltzing with Elon and Me!”
Chorus:
Waltzing with Elon, waltzing with Elon
She’ll come a-waltzing with Elon and Me!
To the drug-addled man-child who hopped beside his tucker bag
“She’ll come a-waltzing with Elon and Me!”
Verse:
Susan Collins yawned as she peeked out from the tucker bag
“He’s learned his lesson, I think” said she.
And she took another million and napped inside the tucker bag
“She’ll come a-waltzing with Elon and Me!”
Chorus:
Waltzing with Elon, waltzing with Elon
She’ll come a-waltzing with Elon and Me!
And took another million and napped inside the tucker bag
“She’ll come a-waltzing with Elon and Me!”
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We don’t want no illegal kings around here
We don’t want no illegal kings around here
The patriots fought the English king
And we ain’t gonna kiss that ring
No, we don’t want no illegal kings around here
We don’t want no lyin’ traitors round here
We don’t want no lyin’ traitors round here
He says Ukrainians started this war
We ain’t gonna hear that lie no more
So we don’t want no lyin’ traitors round here.
We don’t need no oligarchs around here
We don’t need no oligarchs around here
This country was built by common folk
And he don’t care if we all go broke,
So we don’t want no oligarchs ‘round here!
—
Written by Noel Jost-Coq, February 2025
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q4G4_YNc08
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Chorus:
We shall not, we shall not be moved
We shall not, we shall not be moved
Just like a tree that’s planted by the water
We shall not be moved
Verses:
When the people are behind us…
We’re standing for our freedom…
We’re standing for our children…
We’re young and old together…
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This joy I have, the world didn't give it to me
This joy I have, the world didn't give it to me
This joy I have, the world didn't give it to me
The world didn’t give it, the world can’t take it away
This strength I have, the world didn't give it to me
This strength I have, the world didn't give it to me
This strength I have, the world didn't give it to me
The world didn’t give it, the world can’t take it away
This love I have, the world didn't give it to me
This love I have, the world didn't give it to me
This love I have, the world didn't give it to me
The world didn’t give it, the world can’t take it away
Written by Shirley Caesar, 2016
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To the tune of “Jingle Bells”:
CHORUS: You can’t stomp, you can’t stomp, you can’t stomp on me
We still have rights and we will fight ’til everyone is free — OH!You can’t stomp, you can’t stomp, you can’t stomp on me
We still have rights and we will fight for human dignity
Verse: We have the right to speak and demonstrate it’s true
And we will not be stopped… by MAGA thugs like you!
We won’t apologize, or take back what we say
We’ll speak our minds, we won’t be kind…
we’re rising up today!
[Chorus]
Verse: America is large, with room enough for all
Of every shade and hue, all people short and tall
We’ll keep on speaking out, for civil rights & peace
And we will not be stomped upon!
The fascists we’ll defeat![Chorus]
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Source: SF Bay Gaggle of the Raging Grannies, January 2025