The history and politics of the English protest song

2022

Ball Breaker Blues

Tune: Original
Lyrics: Georgia Philip & Siobhan O’Connor
Composer: Georgia Philip & Siobhan O’Connor

We’re bossy and abrasive, difficult and shrill,
We’re dramatic divas like Cruella de Ville,
Too opinionated, we’re bolshy and we’re rude,
We’re gossipy, emotional, humourless prudes.

Yeah, those names keep on coming, they try to do us down
But we’ve had enough of this, we rise and we resist,
And we’ll run them out of town

We’re easy and we’re jailbait, we’re cougars and we’re slags,
We’re jealous and irrational, we’re MILFS and we’re WAGS
We’re stroppy and hormonal, we’re trophies and we’re whores,
We’re ball breaking, man-hating, Her Indoors

Yeah, &c.

We’re Mumsy and we’re frumpy, we’re mutton dressed as lamb,
We’re flabby or we’re bony, too much fake tits or tan,
We’re mingers with our muffin tops, tarty or rough,
Saggy skin, bingo wings, a right bit of stuff.

Yeah, &c.

So here’s to the witches, the hags and the crones,
We’re taking back those names and we’re making them our own,
Wise women rising, you know what to do;
Come along and join us — sing the Ball Breaker Blues!

Yeah, &c.

Lyrics

Live demo. Taking the logic of word reclamation – think recent 'Slut Walks' – this swaggering blues track goes through a litany of misogynist terms, reappropriating and rejecting them with panache, wit, and humour.

Cause: Feminist
Theme: Rights | Identity | Freedoms
Target of Protest: Men | Bigots
Proposal/Solution: Emancipation | Organisation