The history and politics of the English protest song

1969

Run Powell Run

Tune: Original
Lyrics: Laurel Aitken
Composer: Laurel Aitken

Laurel Aitken was not the only artist to challenge the anti-immigrant MP Enoch Powell. Millie Small, famous for the hit ‘My Boy Lollipop’, also took aim with ‘Enoch Power’. Aitken’s attack is, though, the sharper condemnation, targeting Britain’s imperial legacy (‘You been ruling three hundred years’) and demanding equality (‘No matter what you say or do … we are human too’).

Cause: Anti-racist | Equal Rights
Theme: Rights | Identity
Addressed to: The Oppressed/targeted
Target of Protest: Bigots | Elected Representatives
Proposal/Solution: Toleration | Education