So not only do I want your music, but this time I also want your voices.

I would like to try something new with ccMixter.

After months of putting it off, I finally got around to recording the vocals for an updated version I wrote of Which Side Are You On. For those who don’t know about the original, please check out Florence Reece’s version. The classic labor anthem may be one of the most important songs written in the last century.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Because the chorus to this song is a call for solidarity, it is only complete when others sing along.

I would love for the ccMixter community to participate in an experiment and lend their voices to this chorus.

If you would like to add your voice, please send me an mp3 of just you singing the chorus(one chorus is enough - please keep with the tempo and melody the best you can). After I’ve received enough recordings, I’ll re-post the track with everyone’s voices added on.
(please send MP3s to lonnie (at) projectQUESTION.org)


For those who want to add music to the track, the pella is in the downloads.

For either, here’s the link:
http://ccmixter.org/files/p...

Thanks in advance for any contributions.


If you want to make sure you’re comfortable with lending your voice to this version, here are the lyrics:

verse:
there’s coming a reckoning, coming for everyone
the future hangs on this moment, and this moment will soon be gone
call now every beating heart, step forth and say your peace
as I recall the words in the fiery chorus of sister Florence Reece

chorus:
which side are you on
which side are you on

they’ll tell you we’re just rabble putting ideas in your head
but they say the same every time we demand a little dignity a little more bread
so remember when they bust you and tell you no organizing here
that all we got’s our union and all they got is our fear

now they won’t walk away willing, won’t go down without a fight
as long as they got a paycheck to promise and the muscle to make them right
so when them devils come a’knockin’ to see who they can trust
will you throw in with the ones who make the millions or the millions of us

now we ain’t after no vengeance, we just want our rights
we ain’t bothering about parties nor people, it’s the system that we fight
i said our quarrel ain’t with the actors, but with the roles they play
our stand ain’t against you my friend unless you standing in our way

now they’ll try to divide us - anyway they can
and you can bet your heard earned dollar they’ll start with the color of our skin
but them ain’t the sides we choosing, we’ve learned them lessons long
that kind of thinking ain’t got us nowhere, it’s solidarity that makes us strong

and woman, they ain’t forgiven - the way you took your stands
and they’ll set you back a hundred years of struggle if you allow them that chance
now it all comes down to one question, it’s time to steady your will
tell me who’s gonna own your body, girl, you or capitol hill

now you can believe what you wanna, all is ask is the same
just don’t expect me to allow you to write my laws in your god’s name
because I ain’t taking no orders from you high and mighty above
telling if and how i worship, who and how I love

and how we treat the stranger is the measure of our time
will we love them as our neighbor or call their struggle a crime
will we welcome the immigrant or welcome the border signs
do we believe in inalienable human rights or imaginary lines

and you can pledge your allegiance to your country right or wrong
my pledge is to my conscience and to those who sing this song
we can beat our swords into ploughshares, or we can swing them in disgrace
will we go out as a nation, or go on as a human race

and nature ain’t gonna bargain with the ballot or the bank
and if you’re fool enough to think you can cheat her, you’ll lose more than you think
what planet will you leave for these here little boys and girls
will you bet hell on earth for business as usual or bet on a better world

son, put down your weapon while you still got time
it ain’t too late to join us, just one step across that line
because them walls they got you guarding, tomorrow they’ll be gone
and all folks will remember is which side you were on

there’s coming a reckoning, coming for everyone
future hangs on this moment, this moment’ll soon be gone
call now every beating heart, step forth and say your peace
one last chance to answer the call of sister Florence Reece

which side are you on, which side are you on
tell me now forever my brothers which side are you on
which side are you on, which side are you on
tell me now forever my sisters which side are you on

which side are you on, which side are you on
tell me now forever my family which side are you on

Very cool project!! Will follow to see what it will bring.

Just wanted to let you know the wiki link doesn’t work on this page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

this is very cool Lonnie. thanks for sharing with us….