"Masters of War" (Bob Dylan, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, 1963) follows the melody of "Nottamun Town," an English folksong, probably dating to the Middle Ages, that was recorded by the so-called “Mother of Folk,” Jean Ritchie, who created the arrangement. "Masters of War" is a poignant condemnation of the people who stand behind wars, the “masters” who fuel the patriotism and fear that leads to war, then stand back while soldiers and civilians are slaughtered. The song's ongoing relevance has caught the attention of many people, and it has been covered by Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, and Tim O’Brien, just to name a few from a long list. In 2007, the song was part of Mountain’s Masters of War Dylan covers album with guest Ozzy Osbourne singing the song. We would also like to give honorable mention to Dylan's "Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues" (1962), a satirical song about a paranoid narrator who fears the communists have infiltrated the U.S. Please note the John Birch Society is alive and well as we speak.
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Protest Songs: A Turnip Truck(s) List
The word “protest” comes from the Latin noun testis, “one who attests, witness.” To protest thus is to bear witness, to testify publicly, to invoke, in front of or before the public. With this in mind, the editors at The Turnip Truck(s) have compiled a list of what we consider the greatest protest songs of all time. Songs that testify or bear witness to an idea, issue, political or humanitarian problem. Songs that invoke or call upon people to listen, be aware, act. Look for a new protest song every Sunday at The Turnip Truck(s).