"Zan, Zendegi, Azadi (Women. Life. Freedom)" Marsh Family adaptation of "Waltzing Matilda" for Iran

Incredible protests, sacrifices, and social movements are underway in Iran in recent weeks - pioneered by ordinary people (especialy women, students, and school children) in the face of brutal repression by the regime.

We have followed these events with hope and horror since the death of #mahsaamini, and lately, in response to comments by Omid Djalili and Shaparak Khorsandi (about how hard it has been for the protests to reach international audiences and support), we wanted to do what we can in a small way to amplify the situation and mark the incredible courage and magnitude of what's going on.

So we chose the song "Waltzing Matilda" with its bittersweet story of justice, violence, common lives, and a rousing chorus - in this case addressing the phrase "Women. Life. Freedom." that has evolved from its feminst roots into a slogan with universalist aspirations about enacting reform, enlarging freedom, and addressing injustice and misogyny.

For details you can find a brilliant recent survey/explainer by Ros Atkins here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-m.... Mahsa Amini was the first of many hundreds of innocent victims. The Basijis are paramilitary militia responsible for internal policing and the crackdown on protests.

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LYRICS:

Once a jolly woman visiting from Kurdistan
Got taken up by Morality Police
In Tehran they attacked and beat her till her body broke
Died in a coma with her family

Round spread the news – her name became a protest song
Up jumped the women with such bravery
And they sang, as they showed that - come what may - they’d take a stand
Sing "Zan, Zendegi, Azadi" with me

Mahsa Amini, Mahsa Amini
Sing in support of the will to be free
And they sang, as they showed that - come what may - they’d take a stand
Sing "Zan, Zendegi, Azadi" with me

Down came the strictures, blocking all the internet
Up rose protestors – one, two, three
Students, children, women – from Tabriz to Isfahan
You’ll face the wrath of the vile Basijis

Cut up by beatings, pepper spray, brutality
Thousands attacked, or confined, or deceased
But their ghosts may be heard if you raise up your voice in song
Sing "Zan, Zendegi, Azadi" with me

Mahsa Amini, Mahsa Amini
Sing in support of the will to be free
And their ghosts may be heard if you raise up your voice in song
Sing "Zan, Zendegi, Azadi" with me

WOMEN should live LIFE with FREEDOM not with cruelty
Thanks to your efforts the world can see
Faith’s not just a veil: it’s the choice to wear it willingly
Sing in support of your daughters/sisters with me

Mahsa Amini, Mahsa Amini
Sing in support of the will to be free
Faith’s not just a veil: it’s the choice to wear it willingly
Sing "Zan, Zendegi, Azadi" with me


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Thanks as ever to the people who support our musical antics through Patreon (where you can see extras like out-takes and podcasts):   / marshfamilysongs