Movin' left (Peter Bird)

Music files

L E G E N D

Disclaimer

How to download

ICON	SOURCE
	Pdf
	Midi
	MusicXML
	Sibelius
	File details
	Help

• (Posted 2019-02-10)  CPDL #53222:       

Editor: Peter Bird (submitted 2019-02-10).   Score information: Letter, 12 pages, 138 kB   Copyright: CC BY SA

Edition notes: Separate 2-page instrumental parts are available within the Sibelius source file. Length 4 minutes.

General Information

Title: Movin' left
Composer: Peter Bird
Lyricist: Peter Bird

Number of voices: 5vv   Voicing: SATBarB

Genre: Secular, Unknown

Language: English
Instruments: violin, banjo, bass

{{Published}} is obsolete (code commented out), replaced with {{Pub}} for works and {{PubDatePlace}} for publications.

Description: A political-rally song inspired by the legacies of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, with a lead singer (baritone or mezzo-soprano) on the verses and choral and instrumental (fiddle, banjo, bass) accompaniment. Suitable for audience participation in choruses. Length about 4 minutes.

External websites: http://peterbird.name/choral/

Original text and translations

English text

At the first Thanksgiving feast, the Wampanoag brought meat
To add to the Pilgrim’s humble corn.
So they built the table longer, and the Spirit it got stronger,
And a national metaphor was born.

So they were: Movin’ Left …, Movin’ Left ….
Had to include every woman and man!
Yes, they were: Movin’ Left…., Movin’ Left;
Helping each to become all they can.

Now a big man comes to town, with his fat-cat friends around,
Saying, “Time to end the tax-man’s bite!”
“Private property is king; it’s the most important thing;”
“And exploiting the poor is our right!”

Well then, I’m: Movin’ Left …, Movin’ Left ….
Got to respect every woman and man!
Oh yes, I’m: Movin’ Left…., Movin’ Left;
Helping each to become all they can.

Then La Migra comes to town, and they take some brothers down;
And the ICE men come for the children,
Sayin’, “No, it isn’t fun; but the sorting must be done,”
“’Cause America is right when it’s white!”


Well then, I’m: Movin’ Left …, Movin’ Left ….
Got to respect every woman and man!
Oh yes, I’m: Movin’ Left…., Movin’ Left;
Helping each to become all they can.

Now they’ve dug a mighty hole, and they’re burning all the coal,
In a furnace with a Hellish light,
And the e-lec-tri-ci-ty, which they sell you for a fee,
Makes their air-conditioning hum through the night.

But now we’re: Movin’ Left …, Movin’ Left ….
Got to respect every species around!
Oh yes, we’re: Movin’ Left…., Movin’ Left;
Helping all to survive and rebound.

Back when Jesus was a-preachin’, he said rich men who are reachin’
Up to Heaven face a tiny cleft.
He said, “Blessed are the poor;” they may enter by the door.
This was written from the right to the left.

So we are: Movin’ Left …, Movin’ Left ….
Got to respect every woman and man!
Yes we are: Movin’ Left…., Movin’ Left;
Helping each to become all they can.