The history and politics of the English protest song

1979

Smash the Social Contract

Tune: Original
Lyrics: Cornelius Cardew
Composer: Cornelius Cardew

This was written under the banner of People’s Liberation Music, which was formed in the early 1970s to communicate leftist messages through music. It was composed for a Mayday march in 1977 to protest at the deal (‘the Social Contract’) struck between union leaders and the Labour government to restrict pay demands – and hence to deny workers their fair reward.

Cause: Anti-capitalist | Communist
Theme: Political Process | Rights
Addressed to: Activists | Workers
Target of Protest: Elected Representatives
Proposal/Solution: Civil Disobedience | Strike