The history and politics of the English protest song

1958

The H-Bomb's Thunder

Tune: Miner’s Lifeguard
Lyrics: John Brunner

Written for the first Aldermaston march in support of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, this song tells of the destructive power of the bomb and urges its audience to pressure their leaders to end the arms race, and instead to ‘house the homeless and help the needy’. The composer, John Brunner, went on to have a successful career as a sci-fi author.

Cause: Anti-militarist
Theme: War and Peace
Addressed to: The People | Voters
Target of Protest: War | Elected Representatives
Proposal/Solution: Ballot | Disarmament