There was an interesting article in our local paper this week about the premier in 1933 of the protest song “Die Moorsoldaten” / “Peat Bog Soldiers” which was written by inmates of the Emslandlager Nazi concentration camps which were located around the area where we now live. The song was picked up as an anti-fascist anthem and also became associated with the Republicans during the Spanish Civil war.
This is an English language translation by Luke Kelly of the Dubliners:
There is a bit more history about it (in English) on this University of Cologne page:
I love National Express by Divine Comedy, often crops up on the family jam night. BUT I’ve never seen the video before right now. I actually thought it was about a coach journey. Now I know the truth, it’s even better! If you’ve never seen it and know the song, I suspect you’re in for a surprise.
I was actually quite looking forward to ‘mellowing with age’ , but in a time of perma-crisis and climate collapse , how is that even fucking possible anymore ?