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The Marriage of Julian Assange
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A poetry adaptation of “The Marriage Of Julian Assange” by Chris Hedges, The Chris Hedges Report, March 24, 2022
media censorship julian assange
Folk singer, social commentary, satire, people's stories, children's music
Hi Folks, The Bard Insurgent here. My comrade D.O. (the Poet Roofer) and I got that handle (The Bard Insurgents) from traveling town to town performing songs and poetry about people's lives. I've been performing since I was 3 years old, cutting my vocal chords on liturgical and classical music. I was a concert soloist as a child, when I wasn't herding cows, throwing hay and shoveling manure. During the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam war, I began writing songs about social change. I left the country in 1970 and my dozen years in other countries, mostly in Africa & South America, have provided a global perspective to my music. My travels helped me realize that people all around the world are essentially the same in their basic life needs and their desires to live peacefully in their communities. These experiences have informed my commitment to working for international understanding as I organize at home. A powerful way to educate and inspire is with music. I tell people's stories, do social commentary with a touch of satire that I hope you enjoy and share with your friends, as well as sing together in the streets and in your living rooms. I also have children's music written for the children in my life with Jacob and Kayla as primary muses. Looking forward to seeing you on the road, Tom
Song Info
Genre
Hip-Hop Spoken Word
Charts
#92 in subgenre Peak #1
Charts
Peak #1
Author
Tom Neilson
Rights
Tom Neilson 2022
Uploaded
July 04, 2022
Track Files
MP3
MP3 4.9 MB 320 kbps 2:08
Story behind the song
Chris Hedges was invited to Julian Assange’s marriage at Belmarsh prison in the UK, but he and Craig Murray, author, journalist, human rights campaigner and ex British Ambassador to Uzbekistan, were not allowed inside. Chris wrote "The Marriage Of Julian Assange" that, after reading, I contacted him telling him that I wanted to turn it into a performance piece. He said "Far out!" Well, actually, what he said was, "Certainly, yes." It started out in the 3rd person, but turned into Chris’ voice when I got to the part about him and Craig being prohibited entry.
Lyrics
Here comes the bride And at her side, The most feared groom In a small, side room Inside Belmarsh prison No chapel for the two; A Belmarsh gift for you. No photographers allowed; Would be a security risk If the outlier crowd Could see Stella’s flowing ice lilac A-line bridal gown And no admission to guests out-of-town Would endanger the prison security To have the likes of Craig Murray and me So denied were we Entry by prison authority Westwood and Kronthaler designed and donated A corset with plastic stays, created So Stella could pass with no delays, facilitated Through four metal detectors Under threatening eyes of prison inspectors A culture of cruelty on this happiest of days, But Belmarsh has so many ways To remind you that yours is the greatest crime; Speak truth to power; and you’re doin’ time. There was no reception. There was no cake, But a kiss; AHA kiss, And a truth & love that can shake The pillars of this oligarch’s sadist institution “A sloppy one,” said their son, Gabriel. No doubt a security risk When a lip finds out a lip And a heart finds out a heart. “An act of defiance,” said Stella. You can see how they fear it. They don’t want to read it And they don’t want to hear it. They were given a hour in the crowded visitors hall And then prisoner A 9379AY, In purple and beige kilt, purple tie And waistcoat, Was escorted back to his cell To the applause of the other prisoners Lining his tier.
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