Billy Bragg, the British folk-rock singer and lifelong determine in protest music, has shared a brand new tune for Palestine. The discharge coincides with the launch of the International Sumud Flotilla, which set sail yesterday (August 31) to ship humanitarian help to Gaza. Written and carried out by Bragg, with further keyboards and backing vocals by JJ Stoney, “Hundred 12 months Starvation” takes its title from the guide of the identical identify by E Mark Windle. Give it a pay attention under.
Bragg defined the tune’s backstory on Instagram, writing, “‘Hundred 12 months Starvation’ seems to be on the present famine that Israel has created in Gaza by the lens of a century of enforced meals insecurity and malnutrition imposed on the Palestinian individuals, firstly by British imperialism, then as a weapon of mass displacement by the state of Israel.”
“Sumud is an Arabic phrase which interprets into English as steadfastness or perseverance,” he continued. “It’s utilized by Palestinians to explain their nonviolent on a regular basis resistance in opposition to Israel’s occupation. Sumud emphasises the dedication of the Palestinian individuals to stay on their land regardless of hardship and oppression, elevating their on a regular basis existence right into a type of resistance. Lan narhal interprets as ‘we is not going to go away’. Collectively ‘Sumud! Sumud! Lan narhal’ conveys the willpower of the Palestinian individuals to refuse to be displaced.”
It’s been 4 years since Bragg final launched a full-length album, 2021’s The Million Issues That By no means Occurred. He did crew up with R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe for a collaborative cowl of Eric Bogle’s “My Youngest Son Got here Residence Right now” in 2023, although. Bragg initially lined that monitor for his 1990 album The Internationale, barely modifying the 1982 conflict protest tune, which was impressed by the Troubles.
Learn “Stop-Fireplace Now: 16 Profit Compilations for Palestine.”
