"Oxford Town" (Bob Dylan, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, 1963) was written in response to Broadside magazine's invitation for writers to write about the enrollment of James Meredith, the first black admitted to the University of Mississippi. Although there is no mention of Meredith or the University, the song's themes of racism and violence are a powerful contrasts to the beautiful melody and emotionally ironic singing of early Dylan.
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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).