As previously reported, the first AHMT Songs for Social Justice Competition was won by Edinburgh-based Penny Stone with her song Breaking the Silence; and just a reminder that Penny will be perorming her song at the Alistair Hulett Memorial Concert on Saturday 28th January (see Celtic Connections website for more information). The judges – our Trust Patron Peggy Seeger, along with Roy Bailey and Karine Polwart – had a difficult task indeed to decide on the top songs from the very strong field of entrants, but they finally came up with the following songs as the top five entries. Congratulations again to all the people who submitted songs, they were all great examples of songs for social justice. And now enjoy the songs!
1: Breaking the Silence by Penny Stone
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2: Monopoly by Jim King
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3: Ordinary English Lads by Geoff Lawes
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4: Dear Fatima by Geoff Lawes
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5: Italian Biscuit by Lizzie Shirley
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Well done AHMT and all who entered the inaugural Songs for Social Justice competition, and congratulations to the winner and shortlisted songwriters. I particularly liked Geoff Lawes ‘Ordinary English Lads” and as I am from Australia, I sensed a very strong connection in Lizzie Shirley’s song to the views of a certain right wing once-was Australian politician Pauline Hanson.
I just had Penny Stone performing a set on Celtic Music Radio and she has already become “the talk o’ the steamie”. I have now listened to the first five places and the standard is tremendous. Congratutaltions to all winners and many thanks to those who organised this wonderful competition. Here’s to next year’s!