Working & Union Songs (American History Through Folksong)

Thirty-six songs document the changes in the human condition as America evolved from an agrarian nation to an industrial nation, placed in historic context by historical narration. Two CD's plus Notes on the Songs. Playing time: 1 hours, 30 minutes.

The Industrial Revolution: Songs from England, Scotland, Canada and the United States, sung by miners, weavers, mill workers, shoemakers, sailors and railroad workers, tell of the impact of industrialization on rural life, urbanization and the human condition. The second phase of the industrial revolution includes the development of electric generators, the internal combustion engine, the wireless and the telephone.

The Labor Movement 1860s to 1930s: The songs depict the early struggles of America's working people: skilled workers, industrial workers and farm workers; and glorify their martyrs, heroes and heroines. The music also brings to life the creation of America's labor unions.

The Labor Movement 1930s to 1980s: This presentation chronicles labor's rise to major economic and political power, and explores the problems which have faced (and some which still face) organized labor: strikebreaker techniques, union corruption, immigrant labor, child labor, convict labor, automation, foreign competition, computers and the shift from manufacturing to service industry.