On this day in 1909, the Little Red Songbook was first published in Spokane, Washington by a committee of locals that included members of the Industrial Workers of the World. Building on the ties between music and labor, the book included songs by Joe Hill and Ralph Chaplin, and famous pro-worker songs like “The Internationale” and “Solidarity Forever.”
Originally titled Songs of the Workers, on the Road, in the Jungles, and in the Shops – Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent, it has been published in 38 editions. Altogether, 109 different songs have been featured in the book between 1909 and 2013.
The most recent edition of Little Red Songbook is now available here.
Photo: Wikipedia (CC)
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