from Oannes * extending the tribute to our Anniversary of the “No” with music from the 40’s

Today we celebrate the Anniversary of the “No”, in Greece, commemorating the rejection by Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas of the ultimatum^✻ made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on 28 October 1940, the Hellenic counterattack against the invading Italian forces at the mountains of Pindus during the Greco-Italian War, and the Greek Resistance during the Axis occupation.

^✻ This ultimatum, which was presented to Metaxas by the Italian ambassador to Greece, Emanuele Grazzi, shortly after 03:00 am on 28 October 1940, demanded Greece allow Axis forces to enter Greek territory and occupy certain unspecified “strategic locations” or otherwise face war. It was allegedly answered with a single laconic word: όχι (No!). However, his actual reply was, “Alors, c’est la guerre!” (Then it is war!).

Το Dust Bowl Ballads [1940] ήταν το πρώτο concept album στην ιστορία και το πιο επιτυχημένο του Woody Guthrie. Τα τραγούδια αναφέρονται στην καταστροφική περίοδο ξηρασίας συνοδευόμενης από θύελλες σκόνης που έπληξε την Αμερική στην δεκαετία του ’30.
Διασημότερο της συλλογής το “Tom Joad”, με μουσική δανεισμένη απ’ το κλασικό φολκ τραγούδι “John Hardy” [η επική εκτέλεση του Leadblelly, εδώ : LEADBELLY – JOHN HARDY (VERSION 2)]
Αντ’ αυτού διαλέγουμε το “Blowin’ Down This Road (I Ain’t Gonna Be treated This Way)”.

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Dust Bowl Ballads [1940] was the first concept album in history and the most successful by Woody Guthrie. The songs refer to the devastating period of drought accompanied by storms of dust that hit America in the ‘30s.
The most famous song of the album is “Tom Joad”, with music borrowed from the classic “John Hardy” [listen to the epic Leadbelly’s performance, here: LEADBELLY – JOHN HARDY (VERSION 2)]
We pick “Blowin’ Down This Road (I Ain’t Gonna Be treated This Way)” instead.

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❝ I’m blowin’ down this old dusty road,
I’m a-blowin’ down this old dusty road,
I’m a-blowin’ down this old dusty road, Lord, Lord,
An’ I ain’t a-gonna be treated this a-way.
I’m a-goin’ where the water taste like wine,
I’m a-goin’ where the water taste like wine,
I’m a-goin’ where the water taste like wine, Lord,
An’ I ain’t a-gonna be treated this way.
I’m a-goin’ where the dust storms never blow,
I’m a-goin’ where them dust storms never blow,
I’m a-goin’ where them dust storms never blow, blow, blow,
An’ I ain’t a-gonna be treated this way.
They say I’m a dust bowl refugee,
Yes, they say I’m a dust bowl refugee,
They say I’m a dust bowl refugee, Lord, Lord,
An’ I ain’t a-gonna be treated this way.
I’m a-lookin’ for a job at honest pay,
I’m a-lookin’ for a job at honest pay,
I’m a-lookin’ for a job at honest pay, Lord, Lord,
An’ I ain’t a-gonna be treated this way.
My children need three square meals a day,
Now, my children need three square meals a day,
My children need three square meals a day, Lord,
An’ I ain’t a-gonna be treated this way.
It takes a ten-dollar shoe to fit my feet,
It takes a ten-dollar shoe to fit my feet,
It takes a ten-dollar shoe to fit my feet, Lord, Lord,
An’ I ain’t a-gonna be treated this way.
Your a-two-dollar shoe hurts my feet,
Your two-dollar shoe hurts my feet,
Yes, your two-dollar shoe hurts my feet, Lord, Lord,
An’ I ain’t a-gonna be treated this way.
I’m a-goin’ down this old dusty road,
I’m blowin’ down this old dusty road,
I’m a-blowin’ down this old dusty road, Lord, Lord,
An’ I ain’t a-gonna be treated this way. ❞

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Enjoy!

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As always, I’m happy to hear your thoughts, however I’d highly recommend a direct dialogue with the …’source’ [why comments are closed here], so please visit Oannes’ page where you can also listen to the song !

More about these reblogs

* For my friends who didn’t know, or first timers here, Oannes [aka Socratis Papahatzis] is my husband, partner in life and music and the one with my undying admiration. Together we have a band MK-O [the music of Marina Kanavaki & Oannes]. So, it’s my pleasure to share with you his [and sometimes mine] musical selections. • Do visit his site. He has my highest recommendation!