Solidarity Singers: Singing For Our Lives

On of the joys of working in the Wisconsin State Capitol is listening to the lunch chorus sung Monday through Thursday in the rotunda by the Solidarity Singers. On Fridays, the group meets at the State Street entrance on the corner of West Mifflin and North Carroll Streets. Students, retirees, backshift workers and those on lunch break gather to reprise the great songs of the labor movement. They also belt out great new lyrics to well known songs like On Wisconsin. Their singing is equal parts catharsis, protest and evocation. The joy and enthusiasm resounds through the dome making the entire building ring.

Wisconsin is not the only place you can hear workers spreading the infectious joy that is labor music. The Whiteville Choir are all members of UNITE Local 1077 in Whiteville, North Carolina. They work at a sewing factory which manufactures men's suits. They record on Hard Miles Music.

The Choir is a regular feature at union conferences and picket lines across the South. They have performed at The Clearwater Revival, People's Music Network and Duke University. A track from their CD was featured on The Acoustic Rainbow Vol. 3.

"They are inspiring!...To young and old...to everyone" - Pete Seeger.

Give a listen to Union Power and let me know what you think. I particularly like their version of the classic labor hymn, Solidarity Forever.

"I'm pleased to report that the Holy Grail has been found in the inspired singing of the Whiteville Apparel Choir" - SingOut Magazine.

I can't tell you how pleased I am to know a new generation of trade unionists is keeping the tradition of labor songs alive. Even happier to know they are actively adding to the cannon. Keep singing.