The history and politics of the English protest song

1978

Handsworth Revolution

Tune: Original
Lyrics: Steel Pulse
Composer: Steel Pulse

Both a protest and a call to arms, ‘Handsworth Revolution’ transfers reggae from Kingston Jamaica to Birmingham UK. The song details the oppression and prejudice that frames everyday life for people in Handsworth, where the innocent are convicted through police persecution and people are exploited through poor wages and hard labour. The social structures of race and class are challenged and exposed.

Cause: Equal Rights | Anti-racist
Theme: Rights | Freedoms
Addressed to: Britons | Universal
Target of Protest: Elected Representatives | Bigots
Proposal/Solution: Civil Disobedience | Social Harmony