Democratic Chants

from The Soul of Democracy by Alan Dickson

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A pro-reform song by William Allan. Here he echoes Walt Whitman’s sentiments, believing that the people have the capacity to defend their liberties and are not props of hierarchy and class, dynastic rights, or the aristocratic tradition. The chorus, final verse and tune have been written by Alan Dickson.

lyrics

The tyrants of caste and their old selfish laws
Went down to the beat of the drum,
Heads rolled on the scaffold 'mid frantic applause,
The day of the People had come!
The idols of Wealth and the symbols of Wrong,
The prisons unhallowed and grim,
Were wrecked in an ocean of blood to the song
That pealed as Humanity's hymn.

Chorus
The People held sway to the sound of their voice
Proclaiming equality*
Their heart filled with song, propelling the way
With chants of democracy

And armies went forth to its war-breathing strain
To battle with Liberty's foes.
'Mid Death's gory wreckage on many green plain
Its echoes triumphantly rose.
Purged from the things that had fettered its soul
And hung on its heart as a ban,
A nation rejoiced in the Liberty's goal
The poet had brought unto man.

Chorus

The voice of the poor, the landless, the weak
All speak now with one accord
Not tethered, not taut, nor frightened nor fraught
Burnishing poetry’s sword
The language now spoke was the language of hope
Unbroken, unbridled and strong
Dispelling all doubt, replenishing faith
Heralding Liberty’s dawn

*Political equality

credits

from The Soul of Democracy, released June 24, 2017

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Alan Dickson Glasgow, UK

Scottish singer songwriter Alan Dickson was born in Leith but now based in Glasgow. Alan writes about life in Scotland and beyond, mainly of a personal and political nature.

Descended from a Leith docker, he remarks: "as life mimics art I'm just like my grandfather, only he used a rivet gun and I use a guitar."

Among his influences are Robert Burns, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Dick Gaughan. ... more

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