Part of the Union
Encyclopedia
"Part of the Union" is a song by English
band Strawbs featured on their 1973 album Bursting at the Seams
and was the band's most successful single, peaking at number 2 in the UK Singles Chart
. The writing credits are given to Richard Hudson
and John Ford, but the song may be an adaptation of the Woody Guthrie
/Almanac Singers
' song "Union Maid
". The lyrical resemblance is striking although it is set to different music.
The song was included on the album Bursting at the Seams
but is not considered typical of the songs on that album. Indeed, the track was originally recorded without a contribution by band leader Dave Cousins
and was to be released under the name of "The Brothers". It demonstrates the different, more commercial direction the writing partnership of Hudson and Ford was taking within the band.
The song was unofficially adopted by the trade union movement, and it is widely considered to be a proud folk anthem for the working man. Although the lyrics may be read as somewhat sarcastically anti-trade union, the members of the band have stated many times that it wasn't meant to be sarcastic or parodic.
The song resurfaced on the UK television advertisement for insurance company
Norwich Union
in 1998. The song is also currently being played in the stadium at the conclusion of Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union games.
track "Will You Go" is an arrangement of the Scottish folk song "Wild Mountain Thyme
" dating back to the repertoire of The Strawberry Hill Boys (the original name of Strawbs).
. Cockerel Chorus (of "Nice One Cyril" fame) also recorded the song for inclusion on their Party Sing-a-long album.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
band Strawbs featured on their 1973 album Bursting at the Seams
Bursting at the Seams
Bursting at the Seams is a studio album by English band Strawbs. It contains their two most successful singles and reached number 2 in the UK Album Chart.-Side one:#"Flying" – 4:49#"Lady Fuchsia" – 3:59...
and was the band's most successful single, peaking at number 2 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The writing credits are given to Richard Hudson
Richard Hudson (musician)
Richard Hudson is an English singer-songwriter and musician.-Career:Richard Hudson was a member of Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera, in which he played drums and sitar and sang. In 1970, he and band-mate John Ford joined Strawbs...
and John Ford, but the song may be an adaptation of the Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie is best known as an American singer-songwriter and folk musician, whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political, traditional and children's songs, ballads and improvised works. He frequently performed with the slogan This Machine Kills Fascists displayed on his...
/Almanac Singers
Almanac Singers
The Almanac Singers were a group of folk musicians who, as their name indicates, specialized in topical songs, especially songs connected with the labor movement...
' song "Union Maid
Union Maid
"Union Maid" is a union song written by Woody Guthrie in response to a request for a union song from a female point of view. Along with "Talking Union", this song was one of the many pro-union songs written by Guthrie during his time as a member of the Almanac Singers...
". The lyrical resemblance is striking although it is set to different music.
The song was included on the album Bursting at the Seams
Bursting at the Seams
Bursting at the Seams is a studio album by English band Strawbs. It contains their two most successful singles and reached number 2 in the UK Album Chart.-Side one:#"Flying" – 4:49#"Lady Fuchsia" – 3:59...
but is not considered typical of the songs on that album. Indeed, the track was originally recorded without a contribution by band leader Dave Cousins
Dave Cousins
Dave Cousins has been the leader, singer and most active songwriter of Strawbs since 1967.-Career:...
and was to be released under the name of "The Brothers". It demonstrates the different, more commercial direction the writing partnership of Hudson and Ford was taking within the band.
The song was unofficially adopted by the trade union movement, and it is widely considered to be a proud folk anthem for the working man. Although the lyrics may be read as somewhat sarcastically anti-trade union, the members of the band have stated many times that it wasn't meant to be sarcastic or parodic.
The song resurfaced on the UK television advertisement for insurance company
Insurance
In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the...
Norwich Union
Norwich Union
Norwich Union was the name given to insurance company Aviva's British arm before June 2009. It was originally established in 1797. It is the biggest life insurance provider in the United Kingdom, and has a strong position in motor insurance...
in 1998. The song is also currently being played in the stadium at the conclusion of Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union games.
B-side
The B-sideA-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
track "Will You Go" is an arrangement of the Scottish folk song "Wild Mountain Thyme
Wild Mountain Thyme
"Wild Mountain Thyme", also known as "Purple Heather" and "Will You Go Lassie, Go", is a folk song, rewritten by Francis McPeake, a native of Belfast, Northern Ireland...
" dating back to the repertoire of The Strawberry Hill Boys (the original name of Strawbs).
Other recordings
The original "Brothers" recording can be found on the box set A Taste of StrawbsA Taste of Strawbs
A Taste of Strawbs is a box-set album by Strawbs. Instead of being a "best of" album, the compilers have attempted to present alternative versions of some well known songs plus some previously unreleased material....
. Cockerel Chorus (of "Nice One Cyril" fame) also recorded the song for inclusion on their Party Sing-a-long album.
Personnel
- Dave CousinsDave CousinsDave Cousins has been the leader, singer and most active songwriter of Strawbs since 1967.-Career:...
– backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
, acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound... - Dave LambertDave Lambert (British musician)Dave Lambert is an English singer-songwriter and musician, who was a member of The Strawbs in the 1970s.-Career:...
– backing vocals, electric guitar - John Ford – lead vocals, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Richard HudsonRichard Hudson (musician)Richard Hudson is an English singer-songwriter and musician.-Career:Richard Hudson was a member of Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera, in which he played drums and sitar and sang. In 1970, he and band-mate John Ford joined Strawbs...
– backing vocals, drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Blue WeaverBlue WeaverBlue Weaver is a British keyboard player, session musician, songwriter and record producer.-Biography:...
– pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...