Music During Wartime: This Ain’t No Party

www.ozy.com [OZY]() Your World. Bold & Bright [Daily Dose]( Sponsored by [Cariuma]( The newsletter to fuel — and thrill — your mind. Read for deep dives into the unmissable ideas and topics shaping our world. May 16, 2022 Today Music has always played a role in war, whether to inspire courage or express despair. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been no different. It has seen songs resonating with both the public and the soldiers. In today’s Daily Dose we look at songs sung in Ukraine and around the world that have either changed hearts and minds — or offered them comfort. – with reporting by Matthew Blackman from Cape Town, South Africa [A pair of shoes, a pair of trees.]( [Cariuma]( Every time you buy a pair of stylish, sustainable and comfortable sneakers from [Cariuma](, two trees are planted in the Brazilian rainforest. You not only look good, you feel good – and help us all breathe better. [Use the code OZY2022 to get $15]( off as a proud member of the OZY global community. [Shop Now]( Ukraine’s songs of war The national anthem The Ukrainian national anthem has fast become one of the most recognized songs of protest against Russia’s invasion. From Ukrainian troops playing it [around a bomb crater](, to the [Royal Albert Hall in London](, the song has stirred hearts across the world. Perhaps the most compelling version is that by seven-year-old Amellia Anisovych, whose [singing in a bomb shelter]( went viral. When she and her family escaped to Poland, the young Amellia [sang the anthem to an audience of thousands](. This anthem, adapted from a poem written in 1862, has always been the clarion call for Ukrainian independence. ‘The Red Viburnum in the Meadow’ Andriy Khlyvnyuk went viral for singing “[The Red Viburnum in the Meadow](” in Kiev with an automatic rifle slung on his chest. This folk song celebrates the [Ukrainian Sich Riflemen](, who fought against Russia in World War I. Khlyvnyuk, of the Ukrainian band Boombox, returned from a U.S. tour to fight for his country. When Khlyvnyuk’s Kiev version was seen by the musician known as “The Kiffness,” he asked if [he could do a remix](. The ensuing collaboration became a hit on YouTube. Pink Floyd then reunited to [produce a new version](. All royalties from these songs will assist the humanitarian effort in Ukraine. ‘Bayraktar’ Ukraine has used the Turkish-built combat drone, [Bayraktar](, to destroy Russian tanks. And it reportedly also [helped sink the Moskva](, a giant Russian warship. The drone has even inspired a song of praise, “Bayraktar,” written by Ukrainian soldier Taras Borovok. YouTube has removed several versions of the song, but videos still [remain of soldiers singing it](. In the Russian-occupied city of Kherson, Ukrainian protesters have been [filmed singing the song]( in opposition to Russian troops. [Conscious mind. Comfy feet.]( [Cariuma]( The right shoes can not only put some pep in your step, they can also help you make a statement. When you wear [Cariuma](, you tell the world that you care about your look – and the people you share the planet with. Beyond the consciously-sourced materials and the commitment to reforestation, there’s the knowledge that you support ethical factories. Try them once, and we think you’ll agree – it’s a better way to go. (OZY family: [Use the code OZY2022 for $15 off!]() [Shop Now]( Anthems of resistance ‘La Marseillaise’ In the early 1790s France suffered attacks from other European nations whose leaders hoped to squelch the revolutionary spirit they feared would spread across the continent. Amid these attacks, the mayor of Strasbourg, France, asked for a song to rally troops in the defense of their nation. An army officer named Rouget de Lisle responded by penning a song that soon gained popularity among volunteer soldiers from Marseilles and thus became known as “[La Marseillaise](.” It’s an anthem that calls citizens to arms, warning of invading forces coming “to cut the throats of your sons [and] your women.” As historian [Kenneth Clark](, borrowing from Walter Scott, once asked: “Breathes there a man with soul so dead who can listen to that marching song without emotion, even today?” ‘My Country ‘tis of thee’ Before the adoption of “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the official U.S. national anthem in 1931, “[My Country ‘Tis of Thee](” held de facto anthem status. The lyrics of this song (which uses the same melody as the U.K. national anthem) were written in 1831. Twelve years later, A. G. Duncan penned an abolitionist version, showing how the “sweet land of liberty” was also a stronghold of slavery. This abolitionist version [is still sung today](. ‘Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika’ When the African National Congress (ANC) formed in 1912 to fight racism in South Africa, the hymn “Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika” or “God Bless Africa,” written by the Methodist teacher Enoch Sontonga, became its anthem. The tune spread across the sub-Saharan region, becoming the song of anti-colonial resistance from South Africa to Tanzania. The [first recorded version]( was sung by [Sol Plaatje](, a founder of the ANC. Decades later, in 1987, Paul Simon joined South Africans Miriam Makeba, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Hugh Masekela to sing one of the anthem’s [most memorable renditions.]( WATCH UKRAINIAN MUSICIAN SONYA ZLOTNIK on [The Carlos Watson Show](, season 4! Serious, sentimental and satirical ‘Jarama Valley’ In 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, forces known as the International Brigades — which included the British Brigade and the Abraham Lincoln Brigade — fought Francisco Franco’s fascist army in the Battle of Jarama. The [Lincoln Brigade](, which included Black and white American volunteers, received its name due to the soldiers’ anti-racist stance. Scottish soldier Alex McDade wrote a song called “[Jarama Valley](” to commemorate those who fell in that battle. Its more [famous rendition]( was a subsequent adaptation by Woody Guthrie, [Pete Seeger and Lee Hays](, which told the story of the Lincoln Brigade’s heroic fight against the fascists. ‘We’ll Meet Again’ Perhaps the most famous song to come out of World War II was Vera Lynn’s version of “[We’ll Meet Again](,” which captured the uncertainty, heartbreak and hopeful longing that pervaded this turbulent era. The singer’s soothing voice had an almost magical effect on the troops and their loved ones. The song would later be covered by artists ranging from [Frank Sinatra]( to [Johnny Cash](. ‘Oh! What a Lovely War’ As the horrors and futility of World War I became apparent, songs like the ironically-titled “[Oh! What a Lovely War](” became a favorite among the troops. As musical historian Don Tyler [observed](, the song’s lyrics avoided directing animosity toward German enemies but instead used dark humor to convey the disillusionment, bitterness and boredom of war. Community Corner What war songs or songs of resistance would you add to this list? Share your thoughts with us at OzyCommunity@Ozy.com. ABOUT OZY OZY is a diverse, global and forward-looking media and entertainment company focused on “the New and the Next.” OZY creates space for fresh perspectives, and offers new takes on everything from news and culture to technology, business, learning and entertainment. [www.ozy.com]( / #OZY Curiosity. Enthusiasm. Action. That’s OZY! [TV]( | [PODCASTS]( | [NEWS]( | [FESTIVALS]( A Modern Media Company OZY Media, 800 West El Camino Mountain View, California 94040 This email was sent to {EMAIL} [Manage Subscriptions]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Read Online](