Broadside Ballad

Broadside ballads are songs that are intended to address current social or political issues. The broadside ballad came to live a bit shortly after the birth of the printing press were broadsheets about the size of handbills on which were printed the text of ballads. A simple woodcut often headed the sheet, and under the title it was specified that the ballad was to be sung to the tune of some popular song that the majority of the people knew. If not to a popular song, then the musical notations are usually included. From the 16th century until the end of the 19th century, broadsides were also known as street ballads, stall ballads or slip songs.
Broadside ballad is important because it is not just a typical song that is performed by a singer, but rather, it is mainly performed by a group of people, such as farmers, worker or any other group that is facing some issues and would like to raise their voices. It is also important as when they sing it as a group, they will be more motivated to take an action as these lyrics and the meanings that they revel is supposed to change their feelings.

                "Which side are you on?"  Is the song that stole my attention this time. This song was written in 1931 by Florence Reece when she was 12 years old. She is an American social activist, poet and folksong writer. She was married to a coal miner. She wrote that song during the strike by the United Mine Workers of America, where the miners faced a bitter time and struggle with the owners. Pete Seeger learned this song in 1940, and in the following year it was recorded by Almanac Singers in which it gained a wide audience.

This is a youtube link to Pete Seeger version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iAIM02kv0g

                In my opinion, I think that broadside ballad plays a big role in our societies. It does not have to be in one region or sung in a certain language. It could be performed at anytime and anywhere. The importance of it is that, it can express any issue the society is going through, no matter what it is. It could be as big as a political issue, or as small as changing a school policy. I also would like to mention what makes it different from a typical song, which is: it is sung by any group of people. And the purpose behind that is to move their emotions and get them motivated.