The biting and powerful union-organizing folk song Which Side Are You On was written in 1931 during the Harlan County War coal-miner strike. Since then, the song has been covered numerous times – most notably by Pete Seeger and recently by Natalie Merchant, Tom Morello (The Nightwatchman), Billy Bragg, and The Dropkick Murphys.

Now comes a tough-as-nails version from neo folk singer Ani DiFranco. DiFranco recorded it for her new album which came out earlier this year, titled (appropriately) ¿Which Side Are You On?

It will also be one of 100 songs in the upcoming new Occupy This Album compilation due out May 15th.  You can see the entire list here:  TRACK LIST OCCUPY THIS ALBUM

In her version, DiFranco has re-tooled Which Side as sort of a Battle Hymn of the Republic for the Neo-Protest Generation – covering everything from income inequality to feminism to race relations to consumerism in one floppy blanket. (Lyrics below.)

It’s even got the traditional Johnny Comes Marchin’ Home snare-drum attack, and a banjo opening by Pete Seeger himself.

DiFranco just released a video of the song and it’s decorated with photo contributions from her fans to illustrate the themes.  Here’s the finished product:

MUSIC BY: Florence Reece, Additional LYRICS by Ani DiFranco

¿Which Side Are You On?
they stole a few elections
still we the people won
we voted out corruption
and big corporations
we voted for an end to war
and new direction
and we ain’t gonna stop now
until the job is done

come on all good workers!
this here is our time
now there’s folks in washington
that care what’s on our minds
come one come all voters!
let’s all vote next time
show em which side are you on now
which side are you on?

which side are you on now
which side are you on?

thirty years of digging
got us in this hole
the curse of reaganomics
has finally taken its toll
lord knows the free market
is anything but free
it costs dearly to the planet
and the likes of you and me

i don’t need no money lenders
suckin on my tit!
a little socialism
don’t scare me one bit!
we could do a whole lot worse
than europe or canada
come on mr. president
come on congress make the law!

which side are you on now
which side are you on?

they say in orleans parish
there are no neutrals there
there’s just too much misery
there’s too much despair
america who are we
now our innocence is gone?
forgive us mother africa
history’s done you wrong

too many stories
written out in black and white
come on people of privilege
it’s time to join the fight
are we living in the shadow of slavery
or are we moving on?
tell me which side are you on now
which side are you on?

which side are you on now
which side are you on?

my mother was a feminist
she taught me to see
the road to ruin is paved
with patriarchy
so let the way of women
guide democracy
and from plunder and pollution
let mother earth be free

feminism ain’t about women
that’s not who it is for
it’s about a shift in consciousness
that will bring an end to war
so listen up you fathers
listen up you sons
and tell me which side are you on now
which side are you on?

which side are you on now
which side are you on?

so are we just consumers
or are we citizens
are we going to make more garbage
or are we going to make amends?
are you part of the solution
or are you part of the con?
tell me
which side are you on now
which side are you on?


RELATED – Here’s our Rock Cellar Magazine review of Ani DiFranco’s latest concert performance – ANI DIFRANCO REVIEW

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