Canadian History NAME:

Protest Song Analysis

Instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5nxGp6T8xs
This project can be completed individually or in pairs. To be submitted on google classroom.

Choose one of the following songs to analyze through a historical lens.

a. Universal Soldier (1964) - Buffy Sainte-Marie
b. I Pity the Country (1978) - Willie Dunn
c. Big Yellow Taxi (1970) - Joni Mitchell
d. Black Day in July (1968) - Gordon Lightfoot
e. It’s Going Down Slow (1971) - Bruce Cockburn
f. The Enemy (1980) - D.O.A

Listen to the song you chose and read the lyrics provided. Then answer the following
questions in complete sentences.
What song did you choose to analyze?
The song of the Syrian revolution, Heaven, my homeland

Who sings this song?

Abdul Baset al-Sarout
(‫)عبد الباسط الساروت‬

What issue is being addressed in this song? Provide at least three examples from the
song in your explanation. (D1)

The singer was apologizing to provinces that he and the Rebels couldn’t defend from the
government attacks.

859 soldiers and policemen killed by mid-Feb. 2012. 2,000–2,200 killed in June 2012
May 2014 5,000–6,000 captured by late July 2012 in only one province, which is Homs.

“We will never give up on being free from you (Basar Al Asad) . We will be together and
help each other.”

When was this song recorded? What important historical events were occurring during
this time that might have influenced the creation of this song? (D1)

How does this song make you feel? Why do you feel this way?
 How do you think this song reflected societal values at the time it came out? (D3)

Do you think this song reflects today’s general societal values regarding this issue?
(E2/E3)

Protest songs have been around as long as humans have had conflict. Why do you think
songs are often used for protest? (D2)

What are some current political events or social situations that might inspire a protest
song? In today’s songs, what type of music are protest songs often heard (E3)

Check List:
● ____ I have chosen a song from the list provided.
● ____ I have answered all of the questions to the best of my ability.
● ____ I have answered all of the questions in sentence form.