All You Fascists Bound To Lose
Original by Woody Guthrie
Arrangement inspired by Billy Bragg and the Blokes' version
Lyrics adapted by Ted Johnson
Ted: Guitars, Guitar Synth, Bass, Vocals
Recorded on Boss Micro BR
Tweaks in Audacity: Trimming, High-Pass Filter
My band in Madagascar recently put together a set to blow off some political steam. This was one of the songs I selected. There are a few "punk" versions of this song that follow more closely the chords and structure of Guthrie's original – including a cover by Billy Bragg. But I preferred this completely reimagined arrangement by Billy Bragg
and the Blokes – not quite rock, not quite ska, not at all folk – yet still connected to the folk roots of the original.
Great track Ted. Woody's words are immortal, especially in hazy craziness of the world as of late. I love the guitar work here, like wild Neil Young solos over top the Ska influenced beat. Very cool!
Well let's hope so, for everyone's sake. It's all so overwhelming and non-stop lately it's just nice to hear a sensible voice.
Your song cheered me up.
A song for our times.
Love the stylistic (and lyrical) reworking, and how catchy the chorus actually is. Plus, killer guitars here.
Well done. 8)
Amazing track... bravo
cool as fuck. just watched the Dylan biopic and i think there was a scene were he played Woody's guitar. As i recall it was emblazoned with the phrase "this guitar kills fascists" or somesuch. his songs are as relevant today as when he wrote them.
Quote from: Oldrottenhead on April 02, 2025, 12:20:15 PMjust watched the Dylan biopic and i think there was a scene were he played Woody's guitar. As i recall it was emblazoned with the phrase "this guitar kills fascists" or somesuch.
Here's the original arrangement of the song with a famous photo Woody with one of the guitars that bore the slogan. This recording features Sonny Terry on harmonica, and maybe Pete Seeger on banjo and Cisco Houston on guitar.
Since recording this song, I'm really realizing that I've been neglecting Billy Bragg for 40 years. In my music library, I have one song recorded by Bragg, and another song credited to Bragg and Guthrie as co-composers.
ach! this machine kills fascists. not guitar. but that was the guitar Dylan played at some point. certainly in the biopic, not sure if it was in real life. but I think he did play the guitar in the video at some point.
I don't know the original, and this is what I love about songcrafters.
Someone does a cover that we click with and hunt out the originals.
Excellent hunter work and great bass work,really tight bass.
Cool vocals as well.
Hopefully this is a premonition.
Nice one Ted.
Same as Kenny,but loving the kinda reggae/punk vibe, just an excellent listen!!
i don't know the woody guthrie original. i guess it must be quite old and folky but this version cooks! super instrumentation and vocal presentation. the message is loud and clear and pertinent now as i'm sure it was back in the day. my uncle told me woody guthrie was the feller who influenced bob dylan originally not just with songs but with character, personality, appearance etc.
This got the ooh yeahs going this morning over coffee
Quote from: Pru on April 02, 2025, 09:11:36 PMi don't know the woody guthrie original. i guess it must be quite old and folky
Yep. I posted the original already. However, the folkyness hasn't stopped multiple punk bands from covering it with the original chord structure and melody – Dropkick Murphys among others.
Quote from: Ted on April 02, 2025, 03:11:47 PM
You may be interested to know that Guthrie's famous song "This Land is Your Land" – you may have heard it; it is often used as a patriotic American song – has a subversive verse that they never teach American schoolchildren.
Your uncle is right: Woody Guthrie is a big deal.