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“Down with the schemes of U.S. and Japanese reaction-
aries for a new war” is theme of this new Chinese poster.

THIS IS NO BOOK TO REST
ON QUIET BOOKSHELF

Songs of Work and Freedom

By Edith Fowke and
Joe Glazer

“To the men and women
throughout the world who
work in mine and mill, in field
and factory, on sea and on the
railroads, we dedicate this rich
heritage of song and_ story
about themselves, their des-
Pairs, their aspirations.”

This is the dedication of a
new book of labor songs by
the well known Canadian
folklorist Edith Fowke, and co-
worker Joe Glazer, American
folk singer, and education di-
rector of the United Rubber
Workers A.F.L.-C.1.0.

The task of giving to us such
a book at this time, cannot be

- underestimated. It is no won-

der that the research and or-
ganization took five years to
prepare.

There are a total of one
hundred songs in this book,

divided into several different |

groups. The largest grouping,
over a third of the book, stem
from the American trade union
movement. These fall into
three periods: Early labor
songs (before 1900). Wobbly
songs (from early 1900’s to
1920), and modern songs. The
latter include the years of the
great depression and the rise
of industrial unionism in the
-1930’s. Also included are some

To Keep Healthy — Visit
HASTINGS

STEAM BATHS

466 E. Hastings - MU 4-0644

Expert Masseurs in attendance
Bill Litwin, Proprietor

Open Day and Night

international, farmers, miners,
railroad, spirituals, and tradi-
tional songs. :

Out of the many thousands
of songs of protest to draw
from the authors have in the
main done a fine job selecting
songs for this book. However
they offer their apologies for
the fact that “we have had to
leave out many fine protest
songs from other countries be-
cause good singable English
translations -were not avail-
able.”

It is the opinion of this re-
viewer, that if an English
transtion isn’t available then
let’s sing it in whatever the
language, by the use of phone-
tics. In this way it presents no

real difficulty. So far as the
meaning of the song is con-
cerned; a literal translation
and notes as to its meaning
would suffice. We need not go
any further than America to
find songs of protest in many
languages. The immigrant
workers and farmers sang and
still sing of their work and
aspirations in their mother
tongue. Their contribution
should not be forgotten. This
small criticism is not meant to
detract from the worthiness of
this fine book.

Here then is a collection of
songs that fulfill one of the
cultural needs of the trade
union movement. This book
should find its way into every
union hall, and into every
worker’s home.

Folk singers will find the
simple piano accompaniment
and guitar chords useful, as
well as the spiral binding,
which permits the pages to lie
flat when open. There isn’t
anything more aggravating

GEORGIAN MUSIC
RICH IN CONTENT

Since the Georgian Dancers
exciting visit, there has been
increased interest in things
Georgian. For some people, ap-
parently, it was even the first
they had heard of this small
Caucasian nation (population
4 million).

The rich expressiveness of
Georgian dance is equally
characteristic of Georgian mu-
sic, part of an overall Trans-
caucasian culture which also
embraces Armenia and Azerb-
aijan.

Of the several recordings
now available, it is no disabil-
ity to have the Georgian mix-
ed with selections from other
parts of the Caucasus. They are
all worth your interest.

Georgian State Song and
Dance Company—Monitor 331
(49 mins.)

From a Georgian standpoint,
this is the best single buy. Two
thirds of the recording is Geor-
gian, plus two numbers each
from Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Ossetia. The Georgian songs
are superb, ranging from a vig-
orous work song—Egi Oga __
to the tragic Daigvianes (Too
Late).

_ Folk Music Festival — West-
minster 6055 (44142 mins). —

The five Georgian selections
are distinguished by some
magnificently complex part
singing by the State Song and
Dance Company and two affec-
ting solos by contralto Tatiana
Makharadze.

Folk Songs From The Cau-

‘}than a page that wants to flip

gian songs are included in a
survey of folk songs of large
and small nations in the Cau-
casus, Armenian, Azerbaijan,
Abkhaz, Kabardian, Kurd, Me-
grelian and Ossetian traditions
are represented. A very satisfy-
ing. collection.

(These recordings are avail
able from the Peoples Co-oper-
ative Bookstore, 317 W. Pen-

der, Vancouver 3. Price: $5.95

each).
N. E. STORY

over without help.

HITS HOLLYWOOD WITCH-HUNT

U.S. entertainer, Sammy Davis Jr. who is now in London
told the British Daily Worker last week that he had a deep
sympathy for the struggle of the South African people. “But
as an American citizen,” he added, “I can’t say too much. You
can’t criticize your neighbour’s washing when your own isn’t
too lily white.’

Asked what he thought about the Hollywood witch-hunt
which recently involved his close friend Frank Sinatra, who
wanted to hire a black-listed scriptwriter, Davis said:

“Talent is talent and you shouldn’t have to inquire what
a man thinks before you hire him. It’s a scandal to think that
all that yelling and screaming started before the man had
even set pen to paper.’

True equality, he believes, should not limit a Negro actor
to Negro roles. 3

He said he would like to play in a serious film about race
questions if he could find an honest one. ‘‘Not a watered-down,
Hollywood idea of it, but one with something new and honest
to say.

Davis will shortly be seen in Vancouver in the film
version of Gershwin‘s “Porgy and Bess.”

| Nob Hill Apartheid

The following advertisement appears in the April 1 issue
of the “Middlesex Independent” in England:

“Reliable man required as night porter for Saturday and
Sunday nights only. Ladies West End Club. Some reception
work, cleaning and stoking, Applicant must have good refer-
ences: No colored or Irish need apply. Write Box 8333.”

It would surely be a terrible thing if the poor dears were
to think that Irish or colored hands had defiled the white
porcelain of their pots-de-chambre;—From the Irish Democrat,

casus—Monitor 307 (48 mins).
Three representative Geor-

The notes that accompany
each: song: are detailed) and
comprehensive, and give each
song its proper historical per-
spective. This book also con-
tains a reference list of record-
ings and reading material.

“Sing and fight!’ said the
I.W.W. The Wobblies told. their
members: “Right was the ty-
rant king who once said, ‘Be-
ware of a movement that sings’
. . . Whenever and wherever
the oppressed challenge the old,
order, songs are on their lips.”

@ SEARLE FRIEDMAN

This books is available at
Peoples’ Co-Op Bookstore, 307
W| Pender. $2.75 per copy.

June 1 was International Children’s Day. This day is an ex-
pression of the love of all decent men and women for their
children and children of all lands. Under capitalism children
face an uncertain future. In socialist lands a great world opens
before them. These two pictures show the care of children in
China. Above, in a kindergarten. Below, in a new hospital
for the care of new-born infants.

EY
June 3, 1960—PACIFIC TRIBUNE—Page 5