Song picture
Annie Dunn
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About a commonly unsung heroine, a casualty of war that is not usually mentioned in polite company. Annie has two men, both defectors from the military. social commentary, historical
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Artist picture
Folk singer, social commentary, satire, people's stories, children's music
Hi Folks, The Bard Insurgent here. My comrade D.O. (the Poet Roofer) and I got that handle (The Bard Insurgents) from traveling town to town performing songs and poetry about people's lives. I've been performing since I was 3 years old, cutting my vocal chords on liturgical and classical music. I was a concert soloist as a child, when I wasn't herding cows, throwing hay and shoveling manure. During the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam war, I began writing songs about social change. I left the country in 1970 and my dozen years in other countries, mostly in Africa & South America, have provided a global perspective to my music. My travels helped me realize that people all around the world are essentially the same in their basic life needs and their desires to live peacefully in their communities. These experiences have informed my commitment to working for international understanding as I organize at home. A powerful way to educate and inspire is with music. I tell people's stories, do social commentary with a touch of satire that I hope you enjoy and share with your friends, as well as sing together in the streets and in your living rooms. I also have children's music written for the children in my life with Jacob and Kayla as primary muses. Looking forward to seeing you on the road, Tom
Song Info
Charts
Peak #51
Peak in subgenre #10
Author
Tom Neilson
Rights
Tom Neilson 2007
Uploaded
December 03, 2007
Track Files
MP3
MP3 3.3 MB 128 kbps 3:33
Story behind the song
Annie Dunn's story is one I heard in the Highlands of Scotland.
Lyrics
Twas in the year 18 & 5, a highland lass was she. Her daddy was a farmer growin rye & raisin sheep. Twas early in the mornin when the soldiers come for ‘im & took im off to fight against the French Napoleon. She cut the wood, & pitched the roof, the rain was comin doon When Willie showed upon her step, & not a day too soon He turned the soil & sheered the sheep, she spun it on a loom. He kissed the sweat upon her brow & she showed him to her room. Now Willie was an army man desertin from the war The taste of steel, the smell of shot not wantin anymore & oh how he loved her & worker hard was he The field stone that he cleared could’ve built a church or three. Their 2 year old in her embrace & Annie in his arms. Snuggled on a frosty morn, when Dugger barked alarm. Riders in their coats of red, recruiters for the crown Tore her Willie from her side & took ‘im off to town. Her daddy long ‘d disappeared and Willie 2 years gone When at her door twas I appeared, my face all sunk & drawn. I worked the fields like Willie & father’d to her John & she took me to her room at night when the day was done. Like Willie, I was on the run, leaving war behind. The killing & the slaughter wasn’t for my kind. Four years hence, our Nellie, to the house come runnin Sayin that a stranger from the loch side was a comin. Twas if she’d never lost him and to his arms she flew. But now she had 2 men she loved & both of ‘em were true. With me she had a daughter – with Willie bore a son, And both of us before her were in love with Annie Dunn. Well some folk maybe tell you that we’re livin deep in sin. But greater sin to fight a war that takes away the men & leaves the families behind, survivin as they can. We’ll make it clear to all who hear- We’ll not fight your war again.
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